Columbus
Social Security Disability Lawyer

On This Page

1. A Columbus Attorney May Help Get You Disability Benefits
2. Berger and Green Can Help You Understand the Two Types of SSD Benefits
3. Proving You Have a Qualifying Disability Based on SSA Rules
4. Gathering Evidence of Your Disability
5. Columbus, Ohio, SSD Lawyers Can Help You Fight for Disability Benefits
6. Berger and Green Can Help with Your Columbus, Ohio SSD Appeal

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Seeking benefits after becoming disabled shouldn’t become a full-time job. Unfortunately, detailed paperwork, specific procedures, and the tendency for the Social Security Administration to deny applications can make the process feel overwhelming. A Columbus Social Security Disability lawyer from Berger and Green can represent you through this challenging time and discuss your options for pursuing benefits. Call us now for a free consultation.

A Columbus Attorney May Help Get You Disability Benefits

If you live in Columbus, Ohio, and have a serious, long-term disability that prevents you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD). This could include either of the SSD programs—Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.

If you have questions or need help applying for either of these programs, the Berger and Green Social Security Disability lawyers serving Columbus are here to help. Our team can help you:

• Understand the two programs
• Determine your eligibility
• Prepare your claim
• File your application
• Meet all deadlines
• Represent you at your hearing

We can also handle your appeal, if necessary. Through it all, we use our more than 40 years of experience to support you.

Berger and Green Can Help You Understand the Two Types of SSD Benefits

SSD includes two programs that offer disability benefits to those who suffer from qualifying impairments and cannot work because of these impairments. We can help you understand how each of these programs works and which you are eligible for. Alternatively, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers an online Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool.

The two SSD programs include:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is a program to help workers whose health prevents them from continuing to work until they reach full retirement age. This program requires you to:

• Have enough work credits earned by working
• Have recent work credits earned from work over the last few years
• Have an earned income that falls below the current limit

SSDI considers your earned income to ensure you cannot work and earn a living. You can have unearned income—such as investment income and other sources—with no limit. Understanding some of these qualifications can be confusing, and our SSDI lawyers can carefully review your circumstances to determine eligibility.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI helps those who do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI but who are disabled and have an extremely low income and few assets. To be eligible for SSI, you must meet strict income guidelines.

You may see your benefits reduced if you receive financial help elsewhere, such as from someone in your family. If you do not qualify for SSDI but want to explore your other options, our SSI attorneys can go over your eligibility for this program.

Proving You Have a Qualifying Disability Based on SSA Rules

In addition to meeting the basic qualifications of each program, known as technical qualifications, you will also need to have medical evidence to prove you suffer from a qualifying disability.

The SSA provides a list of approved medical conditions, including:

• Sensory disabilities like blindness or Ménière’s disease
• Respiratory disorders like cystic fibrosis or lung transplantation
• Immune system disorders like lupus, inflammatory arthritis, or HIV
• Neurological problems like epilepsy or cerebral palsy
• Mental disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

These are just a few of the listed conditions, and some that are potentially eligible come with caveats. If your disorder is not listed, you may still be eligible, depending on if you meet certain criteria. The bottom line is proving that you are suffering from a disability that is severe enough to prevent you from working.

If you have questions about this process, our SSD attorneys can help determine if your disability qualifies, what is required, and how to access benefits.

Mental and Emotional Disabilities That May Qualify

In addition to physical conditions, the SSA also recognizes many mental, neurological, developmental, and emotional disorders as qualifying disabilities. These impairments must be severe enough to interfere with your ability to work and meet specific diagnostic and functional criteria. Common mental health conditions that may qualify include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Personality disorders
• Cognitive and developmental disabilities

To evaluate these conditions, the SSA looks at medical documentation and whether your impairment causes extreme or marked limitations in areas such as:

• Understanding, remembering, or applying information
• Interacting with others appropriately
• Concentrating or maintaining pace
• Adapting to changes or managing yourself

These are known as the “Paragraph B” criteria and are used to determine the functional limitations of your condition.

Your claim will be stronger with psychiatric evaluations, consistent treatment records from therapists or psychiatrists, records of hospitalizations (if any), and medication history. Statements from treating mental health providers describing your limitations are especially helpful.

In cases where applicants have both physical and mental impairments, the SSA considers the combined impact of all conditions to determine if the applicant meets the disability standard.

Gathering Evidence of Your Disability

You do not have to collect this evidence on your own. Instead, you will list contact information for your physicians on your application, and the disability examiner assigned to your case will request your medical records.

The type of medical evidence you need will vary greatly based on your impairment and other factors. Some common types of medical evidence include:

• Medical imaging, such as CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays
• Lab testing results
• Notes about procedures, treatments, and outcomes
• Physician treatment notes and diagnoses
• Psychological evaluations and cognitive assessments (for mental conditions)

Medical records that span a longer period—known as longitudinal documentation—are especially valuable in showing the progression and severity of your condition. Examiners prefer a well-documented, consistent history of treatment, medications, and follow-up visits.

The SSA may also assess your residual functional capacity (RFC)—your ability to perform work-related activities despite your impairment. The RFC evaluation is based heavily on the medical evidence you submit and may be a deciding factor in whether you qualify for benefits. Personal journals, behavior logs, or employer documentation may also support your claim.

Columbus, Ohio, SSD Lawyers Can Help You Fight for Disability Benefits

If you live in or around Columbus, OH, the disability attorneys from Berger and Green can help you pursue the SSD benefits you need. We can help you understand your options, answer any questions, and help you apply for benefits.

We know how the process works to determine if you are eligible for benefits and how to navigate the appeal process if they deny your claim.

Steps in the SSD Claim Process

A key weapon to fighting feelings of frustration or being overwhelmed is knowledge of the process. We can walk you through each step:

• Application
• Approval or rejection
• Appeal
• Reconsideration
• Hearing

Your claim may not require going through all these steps, but whatever form your case takes, we are here to help. If necessary, we will go through the entire disability claims process with you from application to hearing. 

Don’t Let Fears About Payment Stop You

You are applying for SSD benefits because of a tough financial situation. We therefore know that you are on a tight budget and worried about how you’re going to pay your bills. We don’t want to be another bill that worries you. As a result, you pay us nothing until you get the benefits you deserve.

Berger and Green Can Help with Your Columbus, Ohio SSD Appeal

The SSA denies a large portion of the claims they receive, and many well-qualified applicants have to rely on the appeal process to get the disability benefits they deserve. If you receive a notice of denial for your initial application, don’t panic, and instead reach out to us right away. We can help you request reconsideration and navigate the appeals process if there is sufficient time to do so.

The appeal process continues even if they deny your claim again during reconsideration. An attorney can represent you every step of the way. The full appeal process includes:

• Reconsideration
• A hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge
• A review by the Appeals Council
• Filing a lawsuit in U.S. district court

As a part of this process, you may be able to recover back pay back to the date when you initially filed your claim for disability. We can help you understand how much you may qualify for based on the facts of your claim.

What Our Past Clients Have Said About Us

At Berger and Green, we are proud of what we have been able to accomplish for our clients when faced with tough SSD cases. Here are some reviews from them:

• “From the very first phone call, they helped me through every question that I was asked. All you had to do is be honest and upfront and they took it away from there.”
• “They were just very compassionate and understanding and they let me speak. They let me explain what was going on. They took the time. They took the effort.”
• “If you are in a situation where you are unsure of your future, but you are disabled and you are not sure how you’re going to make it through the next day, they can step in and make things happen for you.”

Common Reasons for SSD Claim Denials

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be overwhelming, and unfortunately, the Social Security Administration denies a large percentage of initial claims. Understanding why these denials happen can help you avoid common pitfalls—and demonstrate why having a knowledgeable Social Security Disability attorney is so important.

Here are some of the most frequent reasons SSD claims are denied:

• Incomplete or Inaccurate Applications: Filing an SSD claim requires detailed forms and documentation. Missing information, incorrect details, or skipped sections can result in immediate denial. Even something as simple as forgetting a treatment date or listing the wrong doctor’s name may trigger issues with your application.
• Lack of Medical Evidence: Your claim must be supported by comprehensive medical records that demonstrate how your condition limits your ability to work. If the SSA cannot find sufficient evidence in your medical file, they may determine that your condition is not severe or long-term enough to qualify.
• Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment: If you do not follow your health care provider’s recommended treatments—whether that’s taking medication, undergoing surgery, or attending therapy—the SSA may argue that your condition could improve and therefore does not meet their criteria for disability.
• Earning Too Much Income: For Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), your earned income must fall below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit. If you’re working and earning more than this monthly limit, your claim could be denied—even if your medical condition is serious. In 2025, the SGA monthly amount is $2,075 for blind applicants and $1,620 for non-blind applicants.
• Not Meeting Non-Medical Eligibility Requirements: In some cases, applicants are medically eligible but don’t meet technical requirements. For SSDI, this could mean not having enough work credits. For Supplemental Security Income (SSI), exceeding the strict asset or income limits could disqualify you.
• Missing Deadlines: The SSA has strict deadlines for appeals, reconsiderations, and other claim actions. If you miss a deadline, your case may be closed before it can be fully reviewed.

At Berger and Green, we understand how discouraging a denial can be. Our team takes the time to ensure your application is complete, accurate, and backed by strong medical documentation. If you’ve already been denied, we can step in to identify what went wrong and guide you through the appeals process with confidence and compassion.

Talk to a Columbus Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer

At Berger and Green, our Columbus Social Security Disability lawyers can file your application and go after the federal disability benefits you deserve. Our team will help you navigate the entire process, from understanding the types of benefits available to the application process and, if necessary, navigating the appeal process.