Are you having trouble living your day-to-day life due to the extent of your disability? Has your disability made it difficult or impossible for you to earn a living? If so, accessing Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may be the solution you have been searching for.
However, the vast majority of SSD claims are denied. You may require the legal guidance and support of an experienced Guthrie Social Security disability lawyer at BDIW Law. When you need an Guthrie personal injury attorney you can count on to help you through some of the most difficult times of your life, contact our office to request a 100% free consultation.
How Social Security Disability Benefits Work in Guthrie
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has multiple opportunities for individuals dealing with opportunities to get the financial support they require. Low to no-income families will often turn to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits while those who have paid into the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program will collect Social Security disability benefits. You can find out which program you qualify for when you discuss the specific details of your case with your Social Security disability lawyer in Guthrie, OK.
Eligibility Requirements for SSD Approval
Most SSD applicants will qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Here, you must have a medical disability and have worked in a position that is covered by SSDI. Typically, you will only be eligible for SSDI benefits when you are unable to work for at least one year due to a disabling medical condition.
Upon approval, there will be a five-month waiting period. Six months after your SSDI application has been approved, you will begin receiving benefits. However, SSDI is also retroactive, so you can expect to continue collecting benefits from the date your disability began.
Most disabled workers will be able to continue collecting Social Security disability benefits until they are no longer disabled and can continue working. However, if your disability is permanent and you will not be able to do any type of work when you reach retirement age, disability benefits will be converted to retirement benefits. The amount you will receive in SSDI will typically not change when these benefits are converted to retirement benefits.
Criteria for What Is Considered a Disability
The Social Security Administration keeps a list of qualifying medical conditions. If you have one of the disabilities listed, when you apply for SSDI benefits, your application should automatically be approved. However, it is important to remember that SSDI benefits are only available for a total disability.
If you have a medical condition that is not included in the list of qualifying disabilities, you may still be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. If you cannot work in your previous position, find a new position, or otherwise engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least one year, you may be entitled to SSDI benefits. Families that have access to investments, worker’s compensation, insurance, or other resources often rely on SSDI benefits, as they will not qualify for SSI benefits which are only available to those on a limited income.
Substantial Gainful Activity and Work Credits
To be eligible for SSDI benefits, applicants must have earned enough work credits which qualify for Social Security. Every worker has an opportunity to earn a maximum of four credits each year, but the amount you must earn to obtain one work credit changes annually. As of 2023, for every $1,640 you earn in self-employment income or wages, you can earn one work credit.
This means once you have earned $6,560, you will have earned the required four work credits. However, you must have also earned at least 40 work credits, with 20 of these credits being earned over the last 10 years of your disability beginning to be eligible. The rules may be adjusted for blind workers and those who may be too young to have earned the required number of credits.
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SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY TODAYMore Social Security Disability Claims Are Denied than You Might Expect
It might surprise you to learn that approximately 70% of all SSD applications are initially denied. Many applicants find themselves losing hope and feeling discouraged when they receive their denial letters. However, by working with a Guthrie Social Security disability attorney, you may increase your chances of overturning a denial.
Most times, SSI and SSDI applications are denied because the applications are not complete. The SSA may require additional medical documentation or other evidence to support your disability claim. Typically, by providing the SSA representatives with additional information, you can get your denial reversed.
Unfortunately, there are also circumstances in which SSD applications are unjustly denied. Having your Social Security disability lawyer on your side who can help you figure out your next steps will be crucial as you struggle to cope with the ramifications of your disabling medical condition. Thankfully, there are multiple opportunities for appeals.
Ways to Overturn a Denied SSD Application
There are multiple ways you may be able to get your SSD denial overturned on appeal. With help from your Social Security disability lawyer, you can gather the information, documentation, and evidence the SSA needs to approve your application. Here are the various stages of appeals:
- Reconsideration
- Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing
- Appeals Council Review
- Federal Court Review
Many SSD appeals are resolved in hearings with Administrative Law Judges. However, in some instances, it becomes necessary to move your case forward through an Appeals Council Review or a Federal Court Review. Our team at BDIW Law will be by your side, ready to advocate for your right to the SSDI or SSI benefits you need to cover your expenses and stay afloat while you cope with your disability.
Meet with a Top-Rated Social Security Disability Attorney in Guthrie, OK Today
Obtaining the SSD benefits you are entitled to can be more challenging than you might expect when you are struggling with a disabling medical condition. However, with help from an experienced Guthrie Social Security disability lawyer at BDIW Law, you can focus on your health while our team works on getting your SSD application approved or your claim denial overturned. Do not let an initial claim denial stop you from accessing the financial compensation you are entitled to.
By enlisting the services of a highly qualified SSD attorney, you could increase your chances of collecting Social Security disability benefits sooner. When you are ready to take action but are unsure of where to get started, do not hesitate to connect with our legal advocates at BDIW Law. Fill out our secured contact form or call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and find out what your next steps should be.
