Franklin Social Security Disability Lawyer

If a disability affects your ability to earn a living or hold a job, you can apply for two federal programs that can help you meet your monthly expenses. Each Social Security Disability (SSD) program has different eligibility requirements, and both require separate applications even though you could qualify for both.

A Franklin, PA Social Security disability lawyer at Berger and Green can help you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires certain paperwork, and we can ensure they receive the appropriate information about your medical providers.

We can also help you challenge a denial of your benefits. You can request an appeal or a hearing in these cases. You can call us today and speak to our team about your SSD benefits claim and how legal representation can help your case.

How Our Franklin Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help You

When you hire our attorneys to help with a Social Security Disability claim, you will receive legal advice and guidance throughout the claims process. When we speak with you to learn more about your situation, we will better understand how we can help you. During your free consultation, we can:

Help you understand how Social Security Disability programs work and which programs you are eligible to apply for (SSDI, SSI, or both)
Explain how to apply for disability benefits and if the SSA qualifies your disability as severe enough to receive financial assistance
Reviewing the medical evidence you have and how to submit it to the SSA
Preparing your case for disability benefits and filing your initial application with the SSA
Keeping your case on track to ensure you meet all important deadlines
Communicating regularly with the SSA, handling correspondence with the federal agency for you
Managing the appeals process, helping you understand why SSA denied your benefits claim and what we need to do to request a hearing or a review

Our Social Security Disability attorneys serving Franklin, PA, will manage the entire process from beginning to end, freeing up your time to focus on getting the medical care you need and taking care of other matters important to you and your family.

Social Security Benefits: What Franklin, PA, Applicants Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that one in four adults has a disability. Of those, 12.1 percent have mobility issues, nearly 12.8 percent have a cognitive disability, and almost 7.2 percent have an independent living disability and difficulty running errands on their own.

You might meet the eligibility requirements for federal benefits if you have a disability and need help financially. In some cases, disabled individuals in Franklin, PA, qualify for assistance from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance offers monthly payments if you have a chronic disabling condition and cannot work for income. The SSDI program is only available if you have a disability and have paid into the program through Social Security taxes.

People who work and pay Social Security taxes earn credits throughout their employment. They can use these later should they have to apply for SSDI benefits. SSDI applicants must also have a qualifying disability per the SSA’s eligibility criteria. The SSA defines in its Blue Book listing of impairments what it considers a condition so severe that a person cannot earn a living.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income is available if you are disabled, are a senior, or are blind. You must also have little to no income. SSI assistance helps with covering the cost of food, shelter, clothing, and other basic needs.

When applying to either of these programs, you must provide information about your health condition and finances. While each has a separate application, applicants will need to submit similar documents. Paperwork you might need to include are:

Medical records about your disability
Bank statements
A list of past jobs and dates of employment
Your birth, marriage, or divorce certificate
Military documents, if applicable

Depending on your situation, you might also need to show workers’ compensation agreements, settlements, lawsuit statements, and award letters when you file an initial claim. This information helps the SSA determine your eligibility for benefits. If you do not include all the needed information, you can delay your claim approval or receive a denial for lack of evidence.

Eligibility for SSDI and SSI Benefits in Franklin, PA

Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income have different eligibility requirements. However, to apply for disability benefits, you must have a condition the SSA considers a disability. The SSA considers you disabled if you have an impairment that prevents you from substantial gainful activity (SGA) and:

Is terminal
Has lasted for 12 months
Or will last for at least 12 months

If you apply for SSDI:

For SSDI benefits, you must be an “insured” worker. You are an insured worker once you meet the minimum Social Security credit requirement, which is 40 for most people. If you are 25 years old or younger, you might still be eligible.

Funding for the SSI program does not come from Social Security taxes, so you do not need to be an insured worker to qualify. SSI eligibility is solely based on need. SSA must consider you to have limited resources, such as a low income and no savings.

SSDI considers your past income to determine your benefit payment. The more you earn, the higher your monthly benefit will be since you paid more in taxes throughout your life.

If you apply for SSI:

SSI, on the other hand in an income based program. You must meet strict eligibility requirements that will look at your income and assets. The SSA sets a maximum monthly benefit amount for SSI.

Our Franklin, PA, Disability Benefit Claims Attorneys Will Help You With an SSDI or SSI Claim

Our Social Security disability clients often feel overwhelmed with the application process for SSDI and SSI benefits. A Franklin Social Security disability lawyer from Berger and Green can help you apply for SSD benefits.

We will ensure your application is complete and contains the information and documentation SSA looks for. Call a team member at our law office today to learn more about how we can manage the claims process for you.

Proving Your Disability Requires Medical Evidence and More

Our attorneys help disability clients establish their benefits claims with medical evidence. When we discuss your application for benefits, we can explain the evidence that is used to evaluate your claim for disability benefits and other documentation you will need, such as evidence proving your financial status.

We can review with you the documentation you need that shows how long you worked and any income or assets you have that could determine your eligibility for SSI benefits.

Stages of Social Security Disability Claims in Franklin, PA

If you or a loved one plans to apply for Social Security Disability benefits, you may be subject to one of four stages. You must go through each stage as they come and cannot skip ahead. The SSD benefits claim stages include the following:

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits: You must submit the appropriate application and include documents that confirm your eligibility. The SSA will contact you if it has questions or needs more paperwork. Once it decides on your claim’s status, it will send you a notification letter in the mail. The law firm of Berger and Green can handle this stage for you.
Appealing a denial: If SSA denies your application for SSD benefits, you can request an appeal. Within 60 days of receiving a denial letter, you must send a written request if you wish to appeal the decision. Your appeal request should include additional information about why you feel the denial is incorrect. For example, if the SSA denied you for lack of a medical condition, you can send current information about your condition, such as medical records detailing your test results and treatments.
Reconsideration: A new representative who had no part in your first denial will review your claim and any additional information. The SSA will mail you a letter with the new determination. You cannot request a hearing until after you receive a second denial.
Requesting an ALJ hearing: If the SSA denies you in the reconsideration stage, you can request a hearing by filing an appeal within the 60 days. An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) reviews any new evidence along with your claim. Our Franklin Social Security disability lawyer can explain your case and answer any question the ALJ asks. The SSA will send you the ALJ’s decision via mail.

Our SSD Benefits Attorneys Are Ready to File Your Franklin, PA, Disability Claim – Call Us Today

You might find it easier to have a legal representative if your disability inhibits your daily life. If you are struggling in Franklin, Pennsylvania and you are unable to work for a minimum of 12 months we encourage you to contact Berger and Green for a free evaluation of your case. At Berger and Green, we can help you apply for disability benefits and represent you in a hearing.

We understand the complexities of the application process for Social Security disability benefits and the stages that follow a denied appeal. You don’t have to do this alone, especially when you are already managing a disability. No matter where you are in the process, give us a call. We’re ready to get started on your claim.