Salem, OH Social Security Disability Lawyer

A disability can pose a significant hurdle in your ability to provide for your family. Mounting medical bills and other household expenses can feel crippling when you cannot perform your job to earn a living. 

But don’t lose hope — you may qualify for benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) either through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A Salem Social Security disability lawyer can inform you of your options and help you through the entire process of obtaining benefits. 

A Salem Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help You Through the Process of Getting Approved for Benefits

SSDI is awarded to individuals with debilitating physical or mental conditions that make it difficult to work. But sadly, the path to obtaining benefits is not an easy process. According to SSA, only 22% of initial claims are approved, and an average of 63% of disability claims are denied. 

A Salem, Ohio Social Security disability attorney from Berger and Green is ready to assist you through the whole SSDI application process from start to finish. We will also handle the appeals process if necessary. Here are some ways we may help with your claim: 

• Explaining the two benefits programs – SSDI and SSI
• Evaluating your case and determining your eligibility for benefits 
• Submitting medical records, employment records, and other documents to improve your approval rate 
• Handling communications with all involved parties
• Guiding your claim through the appeals process 
• Representing you at the hearing, if necessary 

When your disability hinders your ability to gain or maintain meaningful employment and your funds diminish, obtaining benefits becomes a pressing matter. 

Having our experienced legal team use our 40 years of experience to support you through the entire process will improve your chance of receiving benefits without delays. 

A Salem Social Security Disability Attorney Can Explain the Different SSD Benefits

SSD holds two federal benefits programs within its umbrella – SSDI and SSI. Both provide financial assistance to those with qualifying impairments. 

SSDI benefits are dependent on your earned work credits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a type of disability benefit aimed at individuals who cannot perform any substantial gainful activity due to a medical condition that meets SSA’s strict definition of disability. The condition must also be expected to last at least a year or more or result in death.  

Your work history determines your eligibility – the number of work credits you’ve earned, how long you’ve worked, and your Social Security tax contributions to the Social Security fund. 

SSI benefits are for those with limited income and assets

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a benefits program available to those who are disabled with limited income and few assets. 

Unlike SSDI, SSI eligibility does not depend on your work history, but you must have an SSA-qualified medical condition. Your marital status, income, and resources of other individuals in your household can affect SSI payments. 

SSA has a benefits eligibility screening tool to assess which benefits program you qualify for. You can also consult with our Salem Social Security disability attorney to learn how both programs work. 

Your Social Security Disability Lawyer in Salem, Ohio, Can Help with Proving Your Disability

SSA has a list of qualifying impairments that enable you to receive benefits. These include medical conditions under the umbrella of: 

• Musculoskeletal disorders 
• Respiratory disorders 
• Special senses and speech 
• Cardiovascular system disorders
• Digestive system disorders 
• Genitourinary disorders 
• Neurological disorders
• Hematological disorders
• Skin disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Mental disorders
• Immune system disorders
• Cancer
• Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems

Even if your disability is not listed in the Blue Book (formally titled “Disability Evaluation Under Social Security”), you may still be approved for benefits provided you meet specific criteria, which our Salem Social Security disability lawyer can explain further. 

The strength of your medical evidence can strongly impact whether SSA approves your claim. The evidence must demonstrate:

• The nature and severity of your impairment(s) 
• How long you experienced the impairment(s)
• Whether or not you can perform work-related physical and mental activities while having the impairment(s) 

When you submit your claim, you will have to provide the contact information of your healthcare provider(s). The disability examiner assigned to your case will then source various documents to verify your disability. These may include: 

• Hospital room visit logs 
• MRI, CT scans, and X-rays
• Lab results 
• Diagnostic exam results 
• Medical treatment records 
• Prescription medication records 
• Treatment notes

If the disability examiner does not find enough information from your healthcare provider to decide on your disability’s eligibility, they may arrange for a consultative examination (CE) conducted by your own medical source or, in some cases, an independent medical source. 

Your Social Security disability attorney can explain in detail which medical evidence will be required to develop a strong benefits claim. 

If Your Claim is Denied, You Can Request an Appeal

SSA denies most of the initial applications. If your claim has been rejected, do not fret – consider calling us immediately. You generally have 60 days from receiving the denial notice to request any type of appeal. A Social Security disability attorney serving Salem, Ohio and Columbiana County can help you request a reconsideration within the deadline. 

The appeals system is four levels long. We can help you appeal SSA’s verdict on your claim at any stage as necessary. Here are the different levels of appeals: 

• Reconsideration 
• Hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge 
• Review by the Appeals council 
• Federal court review

Our attorney will handle every step of the appeals process and represent you in front of the Judge. 

Schedule an Appointment with a Berger and Green Social Security Disability Attorney

You can seek our services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe us any fee until you receive your benefits. Our Social Security disability lawyers are ready to handle your entire benefits claims process from application to appeals. 

Call us today for a free consultation. You don’t have to handle this process alone.