If your doctor has determined that you suffer from a disability that will prevent you from returning to work, you may have the right to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Contact a Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer serving Mansfield, OH, to help you with the Disability claim process and ensure that your Disability claim is filed correctly. Berger and Green are the professionals you need.
Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer From Our Firm
Whether you have yet to file your claim or have already been denied, the team at Berger and Green can help. Here is a brief overview of how your case may be easier to handle with our assistance.
A Free Consultation and Deferred Fees
The first thing we do for each client is provide them with a free, over-the-phone case review. A member of our team will listen attentively as you explain your situation. Then they will tell you if and how we may be of service and answer any questions that you may have. This consultation places you under no obligation to accept our services.
If you do decide to retain an attorney from our office, we will explain our fee and draw up a contract for you to sign. We use a contingency-fee payment model, which means:
- You pay no lawyer’s fees right away
- We accept a portion of the money we help you get as our fee—you do not have to pay it yourself
- Our receiving a lawyer’s fee is contingent on our success—if we cannot get benefits for you, we do not send a bill for lawyer’s fees
We Double-Check Your Paperwork
Applying for Disability benefits includes a lot of paperwork. You have to:
- Select the correct form
- Fill out the correct form properly
- Collect corroborating evidence from multiple approved sources
- Send all paperwork and evidence to the correct parties within the SSA
During our forty years in the legal business, Berger and Green has seen many Disability applications. We know how to spot mistakes that could lead to a denial, and we know what types of evidence the SSA wants to see.
Our firm can file your application to make sure it meets SSA standards.. We would also be happy to respond to any questions you have and keep you updated throughout the process, no matter how long it takes.
We Represent You During the Appeals Process
If your claim is denied, you have four opportunities to convince the SSA to reverse the decision. These opportunities are:
- A reconsideration from a different person than those who reviewed your initial application
- A hearing before an ALJ
- A review by the Appeals Council
- A legal action in Federal district court
Each of these steps involves more paperwork. Our team can guide you through the appeals process by:
- Explaining what is likely to occur at each stage so you can prepare yourself
- Making sure all deadlines are met
- Accompanying you to your hearing
- Gather the necessary evidence
For a free legal consultation with a social security disability lawyer serving Mansfield, call 412-661-1400
Qualifying for Social Security Disability in Ohio
There are two types of Social Security benefits available to individuals through the Social Security Administration: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To be eligible for either category, you must meet three qualifications:
- Your disability prevents you from working.
- You are unable to do a different job because of your disability.
- Your disability will affect you for a minimum of 12 months or will cause death.
If your medical condition is on the list of impairments, you may qualify for disability benefits if your condition meets the severity set forth in the listing. Some of the disabilities on the list include the following:
- Fibromyalgia
- Cancer
- COPD
- Schizophrenia
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Bipolar disorder
- Crohn’s disease
- Lupus
- Blindness
- Hearing impairment
- Problems of the liver, kidneys, or heart
If your disability is not listed, or if your disability is not as severe as required by the listing, you may still apply to receive benefits for your disability by filing an SSD claim with the Social Security Administration. Your claim will be evaluated based on your age, your education, your work history, and the severity of your impairment caused by your disability.
Mansfield Social Security Disability Lawyer Near Me 412-661-1400
Difference Between SSDI and SSI
Both SSDI and SSI are crucial in helping disabled Ohio residents pay for essentials and supporting their families. However, they are very different programs. It is important to understand the differences between SSDI and SSI before applying:
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI is for individuals who have paid into the Social Security system through their employer. A portion of their wages was taken and put into the Social Security system to provide income for those with disabilities. To qualify for SSDI, you need to have a certain number of work credits, depending on your age.
Supplemental Security Income
Supplemental Security Income provides income to disabled persons that are in financial need. If an individual meets the financial need criteria, it does not matter if they paid into the Social Security Disability system through a previous employer or not.
If you are struggling to determine which type of disability claim you should file, we can help. A Berger and Green Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer serving Mansfield, OH, can help you with your Disability claim.
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Denial of Social Security Disability Claims
Unfortunately, a large percentage of all initial Disability claims are at first denied by the Social Security Administration. Because the process is so lengthy, it is important to collect and provide appropriate, accurate, and adequate medical information and documentation regarding your Disability claim from the beginning. Common reasons that the Social Security Administration will deny a Disability claim include:
- Making too much income
- A temporary disability
- Incorrectly filling out the Disability claim or filling out the incorrect Disability claim type
- Inaccurate or insufficient medical records
- Missed deadlines
Some SSD claims are denied due to a claimant’s employment record. A person must have worked regularly, even if it was only part-time work, to qualify for SSDI. If you did not work enough to qualify for SSDI, you may qualify for SSI.
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Social Security Disability Benefits for Family Members
Your family members could receive SSD benefits based on your work record if they meet the following criteria:
- Spouses caring for disabled children or children younger than 16
- Unmarried children, stepchildren, adopted children, grandchildren under the age of 18, or any children under the age of 19 and attending either elementary or secondary school full time
- Unmarried children over 18 who were diagnosed with a disability before the age of 22
- Widows or widowers between the ages of 50 or 60
You may have to follow different steps when filing a claim on behalf of a child. A Disability lawyer from our firm can help you understand these differences.
Social Security Disability Timelines and Deadlines
There is no reason you should wait to file a Social Security Disability claim. Once you have all of the medical information, documentation, and other related documents, you should file as soon as possible. Once you file, it can be months until you receive a decision. This is a long time to wait, so try to gather your evidence and documentation as soon as possible and submit your claim.
Denials are common with Disability claims. However, this is not the end of the process. You have the opportunity to appeal your denied benefits claim. The deadline to appeal is very short. You have 60 days to appeal your Disability claim. Otherwise, you will need to start the entire Disability claim process over from the very beginning as a new benefits claim. There are a few exceptions that are granted only in certain circumstances.
A Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer serving Mansfield, OH, on our team can take you through the appeals process and fight for the Disability benefits you deserve.
Contact a Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer Serving Mansfield, OH
Whether you are filing for SSDI or SSI, Disability cases are complex and challenging to file. If you have received a denial of your claim, the appeals process can be overwhelming. We can help you with both your initial Disability claim and the entirety of the appeals process. Contact Berger and Green for help from our Disability lawyers today.
Call or text 412-661-1400 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
