Columbus SSDI Lawyer

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments for workers who have a life-changing medical condition. However, applying for benefits is a complicated process, and denials are common, with nearly two-thirds of initial applications denied. To be awarded benefits, you often must navigate a lengthy appeals process.

When you are fighting for these crucial benefits, work with an experienced Columbus SSDI attorney at Berger and Green. Our SSD attorneys help you submit a thorough application with strong supporting documentation. If your application has already been denied, we can file your appeal and represent you at your hearing.

Who Can Receive SSDI Benefits?

SSDI is a program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide for workers who develop disabling medical conditions. To be eligible to receive SSDI benefits, you must have a qualifying medical condition, and you must have earned enough work credits.

For your medical condition to qualify, the SSA must have proof that it prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA). SGA is defined by a monthly income limit that the SSA sets yearly; and if you can make that amount, the SSA does not consider you disabled. Your condition must also last (or be expected to last) 12 months, or result in death.

The “Blue Book” lists many of the medical issues that the SSA deems disabling. They include back and spinal problems, cancer, chronic heart, kidney, and liver disease, and mental health disorders, to name just a few. However, your condition does not have to be directly named in the Blue Book for you to be eligible for SSDI.

Additionally, you must have work credits, which you earn through your contributions to Social Security taxes. Most people need a minimum of 40 credits, but some younger workers may require fewer. Our lawyers answer any questions about SSDI for clients in Columbus, OH and can determine if you have what you need to apply.

How Do You Prove You Qualify for SSDI?

To prove your eligibility for SSDI, you must provide the SSA with thorough medical evidence and a detailed work history. You may need to submit:

• Contact information for your healthcare providers
• Treatment notes, test results, and medical imaging (such as MRIs and CT scans)
• Statements about how your illness interferes with your ability to work
• A list of jobs you have had, including employment dates and contact information for your employers
• Your tax returns
• Any forms required by the SSA, completed without errors
• Your contact information, identification, and proof of citizenship or residency

Our Columbus SSDI attorneys ensure that applications are supported with the necessary information, helping you avoid denials based on insufficient evidence.

Why Do SSDI Claims Get Denied?

Around 70 percent of Social Security Disability applicants receive a denial notice for their initial claim, with insufficient evidence being a common reason. This includes both medical and work-related evidence.

For example, if your medical documentation is weak, the SSA may not believe your injury or illness is serious enough to keep you from work. If you do not supply enough information about your work history, the SSA may not think you have enough work credits. Additionally, there could be misunderstandings about SGA. A denial can also result from something as simple as a clerical error.

Our lawyers build stronger claims for SSDI applicants living in Columbus. We review the SSA’s reasons for denial, identify the problem with your original application, and help you resolve it, often by finding more proof that shows you deserve benefits.

What Is the Appeals Process for Denied SSDI Claims?

Our Columbus SSDI attorneys are prepared to help you appeal a denied claim. There are four basic steps in the process, starting with a request for reconsideration, in which you ask an SSA official not connected with your denial to review your claim. You can, and should, submit additional supporting evidence at this time, if you have it.

If reconsideration does not go your way, you can ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This is a formal proceeding, and you should have a lawyer present to assist you. If the ALJ rules against you, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the decision, and if that still does not yield a positive result, your final option is to file a case in federal district court.