If you are unable to work in Brunswick because of a medical condition, you have a right to Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. SSD was set up to help protect U.S. citizens who can no longer work, but there are unfortunately some kinks in the system that make it hard to actually get these benefits.
Plus, the application process can be difficult, slow, and complicated. Many people who apply for SSD initially get rejected because the legitimacy disability is challenged or there are errors in their paperwork or documentation of their condition.
Whatever the reason, it can make the entire experience feel disheartening. But don’t give up hope, even if you’ve already applied several times. Instead, contact a personal injury attorney in Brunswick, GA who can help figure out what you need to do to finally get the SSD insurance you deserve.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve spent the last 20+ years helping those with disabilities get approved for SSD insurance. We take these claims very seriously because we understand your disability benefits are necessary to pay the costs of living, such as feeding you and your family.
We know the intricate details involved with SSDI applications and strategies that work when seeking approval. For a FREE consultation to talk about your application and how you can move forward, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right for the free consultation.
How do I Know If I’m Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Almost everyone who has worked in the past but can’t work anymore because of a medical condition or disability qualifies for Social Security Disability (SSD) insurance.
This should be straightforward, but the hard part comes in proving your qualifications to the United States Social Security Administration or SSA, in Brunswick, GA. To do that, you’ll need to understand the different factors they look at when deciding whether to approve or deny your SSD claim. Those include whether you:
- Have worked enough hours in the past (these are also known as “work credits”)
- Were employed in the past 10 years (you need at least 20 work credits in this timeframe)
- Have been diagnosed with a valid medical condition
- Are prevented from working in your regular line of work because of your condition
- Cannot work in a new line of work because of your condition
They will also look at whether your condition will last at least a year—or if it won’t last at least a year, whether it’s considered fatal.
If you meet the above criteria, you qualify for SSD insurance. If everything else checks out but you don’t meet the minimum work credits, you may still qualify for benefits if you have a low income. However, most of the time if you’ve worked at all in the last 10 years, you probably meet the work credits requirement.
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How does the Social Security Disability Application Process Work?
When you submit your application for SSD insurance, your claim will probably be initially processed through local SSA office and state agencies called Disability Determination Services (DDS). You can submit your application in person, online, by mail, or by telephone. In the application, you will be asked to describe your medical condition, the treatment you are receiving, and any other significant information relating to your disability.
The local field office will verify eligibility requirements not related to your medical condition. Those can include your age, employment history, Social Security coverage, marital status, and more. Then, your application will get sent to a DDS to evaluate your disability. The people at these state agencies will determine whether they accept your evidence qualifies as a disability under the law.
After the DDS has looked at your case, they’ll return it to the field office. What happens next will depend on whether the DDS accepts your disability or not.
If the DDS Accepts Your Disability
If you are found to have a legally approve disability through the state agency, the Social Security Administration Office in Brunswick, GA will determine your benefit amounts and you’ll start receiving your SSD benefits.
If You Are Not Accepted As Disabled
If the DDS determines you did not qualify as disabled, your file will be kept in the field office in case you decide to appeal the rejection.
This is where a Social Security Disability lawyer in Brunswick, GA can help you. They’ll look over your application and the reason you were not approved for SSD.
From there, they can help you improve your application to fully demonstrate how your medical condition prevents you from working. Many times, you need to provide more thorough documentation of your condition or the treatment you are receiving.
An SSD lawyer is experienced in the acceptance process, so they can help you make the best changes to improve your chances of getting accepted after your next application.
If you haven’t applied for SSD insurance at all yet, an SSD lawyer can benefit you immensely, as well. They can look at what you have for your application so far and point out areas for improvement. They know what the SSA is looking for when approving an applicant.
I Can’t Work Because of a Mental Health Condition. Am I Eligible for SSD?
Yes, you can be eligible for SSDI if you have a mental health condition that prevents you from working. The Social Security Administration recognizes many mental disorders as potentially causing long-term disability.
How to Qualify for Disability Benefits with a Mental Disorder
To qualify for SSD for a mental disorder, you must be able to show:
- Your mental health condition was diagnosed by a doctor
- The disorder prevents you from doing any work in your regular line of work
- It also prevents you from being able to do any other line of work
- The mental disorder is expected to be present long-term (for at least a year)
The SSA website has a full list of mental disorders that it recognizes as impairments.
Talk to a Brunswick Social Security Disability Lawyer for Free
It’s unfortunately very common for Social Security Disability insurance applications to get rejected on the first try. But many times, it’s because the applicant simply didn’t know what the SSA is looking for.
At John Foy & Associates, we know how the SSD benefits process works, and we can help you improve your application for your best chance at approval. For a FREE consultation to discuss the details, contact us today.
Call 404-400-4000, or complete the form to your right to get started.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
