Alpharetta
Social Security Disability Lawyer

It’s more complicated than it should be to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in Alpharetta. Many people have their applications denied, even if they have a life-altering medical condition and have worked for many years. You need help from our Alpharetta Social Security Disability lawyers.

At John Foy & Associates, we know how frustrating it is to be unable to work and unable to get approved for badly-needed benefits. We can help you with your initial application, collect the documents you need to prove your case, and handle the entire appeals process. Call us and get your free consultation today.

What Is the Social Security Disability Program?

The federal Social Security Act includes several programs to provide Americans with a steady income after they can no longer work for a living. The most well-known of these is the retirement program that allows you to collect Social Security at age 62.  

But Social Security also provides for people who can’t work because of a health condition. SSD payments can allow you to pay your bills, put food on the table, and take care of your family. Some important facts about the SSD program include:

• It is not a handout from the government. When you were working, Social Security taxes were taken out of your paycheck which were used to finance all the Social Security programs, including SSD. You’re entitled to benefits because you paid into the system.
• If your medical condition prevents you from working, you can qualify. You don’t need to suffer an on-the-job injury; any illness, injury, or disease can count.
• Your work history is important. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes to be eligible for SSD, and your work history must show that you regularly worked over the past 10 years, even if you had spots of unemployment or some of your work was part-time.
• If you have not worked enough, you may still qualify for a similar program if your income is low enough.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is in charge of reviewing SSD applications and administering the program. But in Alpharetta, the SSA is good at finding reasons to deny claims, even when the person applying should qualify. This is why you should have a lawyer on your side when you file or appeal your application.

What Our Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Do for You

While you can fight and appeal your SSD application on your own, we recommend that you get the advantages of hiring a lawyer. Our social security disability lawyers can help you receive benefits in several ways.

Gathering Evidence and Medical Records

Your medical records and other evidence of your disability are essential when you file for SSD benefits. We can help you gather all of the evidence and records pertaining to your health to show that you qualify. We won’t let your disability get downplayed by the SSA. 

Helping You Understand Your Legal Options

The laws surrounding SSD benefits can be highly confusing. Even worse, the legal jargon and wording can be challenging to understand for the average person. We aim to provide you with simple and straightforward explanations that allow you to understand all of the legal options available to you so you can get your benefits without any hassle.

Guiding You Through the Appeals Process

The appeals process is already long enough, but making mistakes or errors can cost you even more time. These delays can make it difficult to make ends meet. We will guide you through the entire process and handle all of the paperwork and legal grunt work on your behalf. 

Double-Checking Your Applications and Important Documents 

As stated previously, even a simple error is enough to set you back. With thousands of dollars at stake, it’s essential that you get an expert to help you fill out and complete all of your applications and documents properly. The last thing you want is to have to do them all over again. 

How do I Qualify for SSD Benefits in Alpharetta?

There are two requirements you need to meet to get SSD benefits. First, you must have worked in the past. Second, you must now be unable to work because of a medical condition. It sounds easy, but it can be hard to convince the SSA. 

You will need to prove these things:

• A doctor has diagnosed your medical condition.
• Your medical condition is expected to continue for a year or longer or your condition is terminal.
• Because of your health condition, you cannot do your job anymore.
• You also can’t perform other jobs that you might be qualified for.
• It would be difficult to perform any potential job that you might be qualified to do.
• You have a long enough work history. Your work history is measured by how many Social Security “work credits” you have earned.
• You have worked enough over the past 10 years (you need at least 20 work credits over the past 10 years).
• If you don’t have enough work credits, and that you have a low income.

To prove your case, you will need documents from doctors, employers, or others that establish each of these facts. You may have a good case, but the SSA will deny your claim if you don’t have the documentation to prove it.

What Can Get Me Denied?

There are several medical and non-medical reasons why the SSA may deny you SSDI benefits, including:

• You earn too much money.
• You incorrectly filed your paperwork or application.
• You committed a crime or have a criminal history.
• You didn’t take good care of your health, such as listening to doctor’s orders or having an addiction.
• The SSA doesn’t consider your disability severe enough to warrant benefits.

Regardless of how you get denied, rest assured our social security disability lawyers in Alpharetta are here to assist you. We will ensure that the SSA reviews your application again and grants you the benefits you rightfully deserve. 

Will the SSA Recognize My Condition As a Disability?

If you can’t work because of your medical condition, it should count as a disability and qualify you for SSD, but the SSA doesn’t treat all conditions the same way. Some severe conditions automatically count as disabilities. All you need is a doctor’s diagnosis for conditions like certain forms of cancer and advanced kidney disease.

It’s more likely that you have a health issue that the SSA refers to as a “disabling condition.” This means that some people who have your condition are disabled and unable to work, while others can still hold a job. It depends on how serious your case is. 

We often see people who have these types of disabling conditions:

• Severe heart conditions
• Blindness or other serious vision problems
• Multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mental health issues
• Chronic and severe back pain
• Respiratory diseases such as severe asthma

This is only a small sample of the many conditions the SSA considers “disabling.” The SSA also provides a comprehensive list of disabilities and impairments. 

The SSA’s list may not include your condition, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get benefits. It just means that you will have to submit even more documentation to prove to the SSA that your condition prevents you from working.

What Can I Do Now that the SSA Turned Down My Application?

You have a right to appeal your application, and you can file multiple appeals if necessary. The appeals process gives you a second chance to get benefits, and we’ve found that many people have an easier time getting approved on appeal than they did the first time around.  

However, it is crucial to pay close attention to why you were denied and give the SSA the additional information they are looking for. An appeal won’t help you if you just submit the same application that was already denied. If you file multiple appeals, your case will eventually come before a judge rather than a government employee.  

Judges usually understand the law better, and they may be more sympathetic to your case. But appeals take time, and if you run out, you will have to start the process all over. This means you’ll go months without the income that SSDI benefits can provide. Therefore, we strongly recommend that you get a lawyer to help with your case as soon as possible.

No Upfront Fees and No Obligations

For over 20 years, our law firm has helped many clients get their SSD benefits. Our case results and testimonials show our dedication, experience, and knowledge in helping our clients reach their goals. 

We don’t charge anything upfront for our services. There is no obligation when you reach out to us. Let us provide you with a comfortable, private, and safe environment to assist you. If we can’t win your case, you owe us nothing in return. 

Talk to an Alpharetta Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free

SSD benefits may be your best hope for a stable, ongoing income if you can’t work. Don’t let the process drag on for months while you worry about how to pay the bills. John Foy & Associates will give you a free consultation to explain how we can help you get the benefits you are entitled to. Call us or fill out the form to your right and schedule your appointment today.