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Disabling medical conditions affect more than just your health; they can hurt your ability to work and support yourself and your family. If you have a disability and are trying to pursue benefits, you do not have to face the Social Security Administration (SSA) alone.
For over 40 years, Berger and Green has been helping people through the disability application and appeals process and getting clients the benefit they need.
Our Cuyahoga Falls, OH Social Security Disability lawyers understand the SSA’s requirements and procedures, and we want to make this process as easy as we can for you. You can call now for a free and confidential consultation.
Disabilities can change your life forever. Whether your condition is a recent development, or you’ve been dealing with worsening symptoms for years, you know just how difficult it can be to support yourself and take care of yourself.
Social Security Disability (SSD) is supposed to help applicants, but getting benefits can be quite difficult for many people.
At Berger and Green, our lawyers have made it our mission to represent our clients’ best interests and help them pursue the benefits they need. We take on numerous tasks and responsibilities, including:
Our decades of legal advocacy mean that we know the ins and outs of the SSD application and appeals process, and we’re here to leverage this experience to get you what you need.
Social Security Disability is an umbrella term for two different programs, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
While both programs are for individuals with disabilities, the agency has very specific requirements for considering someone “disabled.”
A diagnosis of a condition is not enough to meet the SSA’s definition of a disability. You must have a medical condition that prevents you from working for at least 12 months, or a disability that is “expected to result in death.”
If you were previously employed but can no longer work because of your disability. SSDI might be the program for you. Social Security Disability Insurance requires applicants to have a certain number of work credits in order to receive benefits. You must have at least 20 work credits, although you might need less, depending on your age.
It is important to note that not every form of work gives you credits, as some jobs may not be covered by Social Security. Our team can help review your work history to determine how many credits you have and figure out if SSDI is the right option for you.
Supplemental Security Income is a program for disabled applicants who do not have a lot of income or resources. Resources can include land, vehicles, and cash.
However, the SSA limits an individual’s resources to a value of $2,000. If your resources are more than $2,000, you may not be eligible for SSI.
While you can earn income while on SSI, it can limit how much you can receive. If you earn too much income, you could lose your benefits. The restrictions and exceptions to resources and benefits can be quite complex, and our team is here to help you navigate this application process.
Applying for benefits is not a one-step process, but our lawyers are here to help you every step of the way.
The key to applying for disability benefits is preparation. Some of the information you might need in order to apply includes:
If you hire our firm, we can go over what you have and determine what we still need to submit with your claim.
Unfortunately, many applications are denied in the initial application phase. However, the SSA allows applicants to appeal a decision within 60 days of receiving a denial. At this step, we can submit new evidence to help support your claim for damages.
The next step in the appeals process is requesting a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. If there is still additional information to submit at this stage, we can include it in this request.
This hearing allows the Judge to question you, any witnesses, or other relevant parties about your case. If necessary, we can request that an Appeal Council review the Judge’s decision.
A federal district court’s review of your case is the last stage of appeals. This step may be necessary if we disagree with the Council’s decision or if they deny our request for review.
The Social Security Administration offers a list of impairments known as the Blue Book, organized in 14 different categories for adults. These categories cover a wide range of disorders and conditions, including:
Keep in mind that you could still get disability benefits for a condition not listed within the Blue Book. The SSA will have to review your “residual functional capacity” (RFC) to assess your capabilities.
When your health prevents you from earning income, it can feel like you have no options. Berger and Green is here to help you pursue the benefits you need so you can focus on taking care of your health. We know just how overwhelming this process can be, and we are here to offer our support.
Call Berger and Green today to find out how our Cuyahoga Falls Social Security Disability lawyers can help you. We offer free initial consultations, 24/7.