SSD for Applicants Over 50 in Altoona

If you’re over 50 and are unable to continue working due to an illness or injury, you may be struggling to decide if it is time to apply for Social Security disability benefits. Your age introduces unique considerations when seeking Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Berger and Green’s  Social Security Disability lawyers that handle claims for Altoona residents over 50 can represent you, just as we’ve represented countless other clients seeking SSDI and SSI benefits. Our experience with applications and appeals may provide peace of mind and tangible benefits as you seek financial assistance.

How Berger and Green Can Help Your Social Security Disability Application or Appeal in Altoona

Our legal team serving Altoona can assist with your SSDI or SSI application or appeal. We can:

• We focus on Social Security Disability issues: Not every personal injury firm takes an interest in Social Security disability cases, but Berger and Green does. Our Social Security disability lawyers handle these types of cases. Our team has extensive experience assisting clients in their pursuit of compensation, covering medical expenses, lost income, and other harm caused by disabling injuries and illnesses.
•  We help with applications and appeals:We assist clients in all stages of the Social Security Disability process. Whether you’ve yet to file your application, are waiting for a response, or have received an unfavorable response from the SSA and need to file an appeal, we can help.
• We understand the unique considerations for applicants age 50 or older: Disabled individuals over 50 are entitled to receive disability benefits from the SSA, but there are several considerations unique to applicants in this age range. Our law office has represented many clients over 50, so we know the challenges and considerations that applicants in this age range must be aware of.
• We provide competent, compassionate representation to clients in Altoona: Our style of representation blends compassion, competence, and a focus on securing your best financial outcome.

While it’s your right to pursue Social Security Disability benefits in Altoona, applying and appealing for benefits can be complicated—especially if you’re unfamiliar with the SSA and its processes. An attorney Berger and Green can guide you through the process.

What Makes Over 50 Social Security Disability Applications (and Appeals) Different From Other Applications?

When evaluating your application or appeal, the Social Security Administration will consider:

Your Education and Professional Skills

When evaluating an applicant’s eligibility for Social Security disability benefits, the SSA asks, “Can you do the work you did previously?” When you are over 50, you may have 30 or more years working in a specific profession and an educational background that led you to that field.

If someone has a relatively narrow professional focus and a health problem prevents them from completing their work, they may have fewer job prospects. When you are over 50, vocational retraining may be unrealistic. These circumstances may present a strong case for disability benefits.

Your Physical Limitations

The SSA also considers your physical limitations when gauging the extent of your disability. It uses grids to classify the types of work you can do, and those grids include:

• Sedentary work
• Light work
• Medium work
• Heavy work

Your ability to lift objects of certain weights will determine which grid you fall within. If you can do only sedentary work, light work, or can’t work at all, the SSA should factor this into your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application. 

The Nature and Severity of Your Medical Ailments

Your health condition will be a key focus of the SSDI or SSI application process. You may be entitled to benefits if your disability:

• Is one of the conditions the SSA formally recognizes
• Prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA), which essentially means earning a living wage
• Produces symptoms that interfere with your daily life, including your working ability 

Our firm can direct you to medical professionals who will evaluate and document your ailments specifically for the purpose of the application.

Your Work History (Including Your Contributions to Social Security)

Work credits accumulate as you work in jobs that require you to pay into the Social Security fund. The longer you work these jobs, the more work credits you amass and the more SSDI benefits you become entitled to collect.

By the time you are over 50, you may have substantial work credits to your name. The SSA must consider these work credits to evaluate your application for disability benefits in Altoona.

Our Altoona Over 50 Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Handle Your Entire Case

Our firm assists disabled clients by offering complete access to our experience related to Social Security Disability claims. Berger and Green can help you apply for benefits. 

Berger and Green can also represent you in your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.  If the SSA does not initially grant the benefits you request, you can appeal its decision, and our legal team can lead the appeals process for you. We can review the initial decision to deny your Social Security disability benefits claim and advise you from there.

Applying for SSDI and SSI benefits can be confusing, especially for first-time applicants. Our team will guide you through the claims process. 

Call Us Today for a Free Consultation About Over 50 Social Security Benefits in Altoona, PA

We encourage you to speak with our team serving Altoona as soon as possible. We can take the necessary steps to document your medical condition, organize paperwork, and file your application for benefits. 

Call Berger and Green today for your free consultation. Applicants over 50 are never guaranteed benefits, so having a disability attorney assist with your application or appeal could be helpful. We can work on your case for no upfront fees or costs. We only get paid a lawyer fee if you receive your Social Security benefits.