If you have a medical condition that prevents you from continuing to work in Milton, you may be eligible for income benefits through Social Security Disability. However, even if you are sure you qualify, it can still be hard to get approved for the benefits you need. To make sure your application is as strong and accurate as possible, contact a Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer in Milton today.
At John Foy & Associates, we have been helping Social Security Disability applicants get approved for the benefits they need and deserve for more than 20 years. We know what the Social Security Administration is looking for before they’ll approve an application. To discuss your claim and how we can help you, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online today for a FREE consultation.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability in Milton, GA
Social Security Disability benefits are provided through the Social Security Administration (SSA). The most well-known program Social Security provides offers retirement benefits starting at age 62. Social Security Disability is meant to provide disability benefits to those who can no longer work because of a medical condition.
Before you can receive SSD benefits, you’ll need to apply for benefits by filing a claim with the SSA. You should apply for benefits as soon as you know you’ve become disabled from working, as it can take some time to actually receive them. Social Security Disability benefits won’t start until your sixth full month of disability.
There are a few different ways you can apply for SSD benefits:
- Apply for disability online
- Call to apply by phone or
- You can apply at a local Social Security office in your area
When applying, you’ll need to provide sufficient information to show that you have paid into Social Security taxes by working enough (and for long enough) and that you have a condition the SSA considers to be disabling.
Unfortunately, SSD applications are often turned down even if the applicant clearly qualifies. This can be due to paperwork errors, lack of enough information, or other factors that are hard to determine. If you work with a Milton SSD lawyer, they can take a look at your application, figure out where it needs to be improved, and prepare a thorough application to file.
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What You Need to Qualify for Social Security Disability
There are two criteria you need to meet to be considered for SSD benefits:
- Have earned enough work credits through Social Security and
- Meet the SSA’s definition of disability
Work Credits
You earn work credits whenever you earn wages that are covered by Social Security. Taxes for Social Security are taken as a portion of each paycheck. This is why—contrary to what many people believe—Social Security Disability comes from a system you paid into, and it’s not a handout.
Here’s what to know about work credits:
- In 2020, you can earn one work credit for every $1,410 in wages or self-employment income you make. This amount changes each year. You can earn up to four work credits per year.
- If you’re 62 years old or above, you typically need 40 work credits with 20 of those earned in the 10 years before you became disabled.
- Younger workers will need fewer work credits to qualify.
Disabling Condition
Besides having enough work credits, you’ll also need to have a disabling condition. The SSA defines a disability as:
- Lasting (or is expected to last) for at least a year or result in death
- Being unable to do work that you did before and
- Being unable to do other types of work
Social Security Disability does not cover short-term or partial disabilities. You must have a total disability to qualify for benefits.
The SSA will need to agree that the above criteria apply before approving you for benefits. Even if you know you meet the qualifications, you’ll need to provide sufficient evidence or you could get denied. That’s why it’s so beneficial to work with a Social Security Disability lawyer who knows how to build a strong application.
Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial
If your Social Security Disability application gets denied, don’t give up or assume that you cannot get benefits. Many people are denied on the first try. Thankfully, you can appeal the decision.
It’s very important that you do not start a new application if you get denied. This can just slow down the process and make it harder for you to get the benefits you deserve. Instead, a lawyer can help you appeal the current application with the Social Security Administration.
Your lawyer will look at the denial letter explaining why your application was denied. From there, they can help you make the necessary changes before resubmitting. There are several steps in the appeal process:
- Reconsideration
- An administrative Law Judge hearing
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal court review
With each step, your application will be viewed by a different level of professionals who will check to see if the denial was justified. You can also appeal a denial more than once. You’ll want to have a lawyer on your side through every step of the process, so they can hopefully help you get approved as soon as possible.
Speak with a Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer in Milton, GA for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we know how vital Social Security Disability benefits are for those who can no longer work. We are dedicated to helping you get the benefits you need to help support yourself and your family. We do not even charge you a fee unless we win your case, so there’s no risk in hiring us.
Contact us today and we’ll get started with a FREE consultation and case evaluation. We can review your case, answer any questions you have, and discuss how we can best help you seek the benefits you need and deserve.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online and we’ll get started right away.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
