Get SSDI Disability Benefits
If you are disabled, then you may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or another form of financial assistance. You may have difficulty filing your initial claim or filing a request for reconsideration of a denied claim. A Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Insurance lawyer can help you complete a claim, a reconsideration request, or both.
The team at Berger and Green will assist you with numerous aspects of the SSDI claims process so that you can spare yourself the time, effort, and headaches. Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for more details about how our team will help you seek fair disability compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a social security disability insurance lawyer serving Pittsburgh, call 412-661-1400
Eligibility for SSDI Benefits
There are two general categories of benefits that you may claim from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Per SSA literature, the two categories of benefits are:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
You may use the SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST) in order to gauge your eligibility for benefits based on specific criteria. Factors that may have an impact on your eligibility for benefits are:
- What your medical condition is
- Whether your disability is complete or partial
- Your age
- Whether you are single, married, or widowed
- Whether you have dependents
- How long you participated in the workforce before becoming disabled
A Pittsburgh, PA lawyer may provide more information about whether you are likely to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income, and whether it is worth your time and effort to bring a claim or file a reconsideration request.
The SSDI and SSI Applicant Network Is Large
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) provides several statistics showing how vast and complex the applicant network for SSDI and SSI is. According to CBPP findings:
- 8.5 million people receive disability-related benefits funded by Social Security each year
- An additional 1.5 million children and 117,000 spouses of disability benefits may also be serviced by Social Security-funded compensation
- Approximately $144 billion were paid in SSDI benefits in 2018
These statistics show that the number of recipients of SSDI alone is massive, and the number of applicants is as well. The number of applications that SSA employees must process heightens the importance of you ensuring your initial application is error-free and sent to the proper locale.
If you submit an initial application with errors, then you may be forced to send a reconsideration request. This may also mean more time elapsing before you can collect any benefits to which you are entitled.
A Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Insurance lawyer will help you in several ways, including by reviewing your application for any errors that could affect your eligibility. Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 to find out more about how we can help with your initial SSDI claim or reconsideration request.
Responding to a Denied SSDI Claim
It is possible that your initial claim for SSDI or SSI will be denied, in which case you may file a request for reconsideration of your claim. Filing a reconsideration request may be the first means that you try when seeking a different outcome regarding your application.
During the claim reconsideration process, somebody who did not issue your initial claim denial will re-review your claim for benefits.
SSA literature lists other ways that you may appeal a ruling pertaining to SSDI or SSI benefits. Aside from reconsideration, other levels of appeal include:
- A hearing before an Administrative Law Judge
- A review of your claim by the Appeals Council
- A review of your claim by a Federal Court
There may be several reasons to have your claim reviewed. Some include that:
- The appeals process is overseen by parties that did not participate in Your initial claim review, and may be inclined to provide a different outcome
- You may not have included all available evidence in your initial claim, and may do so upon secondary review of your claim
- You may have the opportunity to answer and clarify questions and concerns from those who are in charge of approving or denying your claim, which may grant you a greater opportunity to plead your case
If you are disabled, then you may have little recourse other than filing an appeal. The cost of going completely without disability benefits may be great, and an appeal could result in your receiving the disability benefits that you need.
Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyer Near Me 412-661-1400
A Lawyer Will Help You Seek SSDI or SSI Benefits
Hiring a Pittsburgh, PA lawyer may take the SSDI or SSI application and appeals process out of your hands. A lawyer and their team may assist you in several ways, including by:
- Counseling you regarding what you will need to do to file an initial benefits claim or various types of appeal
- Helping you obtain a medical record showing that you are unable to work and should be entitled to SSDI or SSI benefits as a result
- Handling the administrative aspects of your claim or appeal
- Helping you file your claim or appeal
- Handling communications with officials of the Social Security Administration
- Ensuring that your claim or appeal is completed
- Defending your rights and providing legal advice relevant to your benefits claim or appeal
Obtaining disability benefits could have a significant impact on your quality of life. A lawyer will help you pursue the disability compensation to which you may be entitled.
Call Berger and Green Today
The team at Berger and Green will help you prove that you are eligible for disability benefits and take the steps necessary to complete your claim or appeal. Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for more details of how a Pittsburgh social security disability insurance lawyer will plead your case.
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