Applying for your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits is complicated, and many people turn to a lawyer to help them get approved. But not all lawyers do an equal job. If you truly need to get your SSDI benefits approved, you should speak to a dedicated lawyer.
At John Foy & Associates, we employ some of the most experienced Social Security disability attorneys in Cumming. We believe that SSDI payments are a right that’s guaranteed to you by law – one that you have paid for out of your own paycheck. Allow us to help you.
Should I Get a Lawyer for Social Security Disability?
Social Security applications aren’t exactly easy. There can be any number of pitfalls or speed bumps, between gathering the necessary materials, figuring out how to fill out the application, and even appealing a denied claim. An SSD lawyer in Cumming can help with all of those.
We know what the Cumming Social Security offices are looking for in an application and how to present the most convincing claim. We’ve been helping injured people in Georgia for decades, so you can trust us to bring experience and skill to the table to help you get the benefits you need.
If your claim has been denied, that’s even more reason to hire an SSDI attorney. Without legal help, successfully appealing your claim will be extremely difficult. The knowledge that comes with years of experience will be invaluable if you try to apply again, and our lawyers will be able to figure out what was missing from your initial application.
Whatever trouble you’re having with your Social Security benefits claim, our team of lawyers can help. If you’re still not sure if you should hire an attorney, you can meet with us for no cost. Don’t hesitate to get your free initial consultation.
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How Much does an SSDI Lawyer Cost?
Because we don’t want you to have any risk, our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless your claim is accepted. That way, you don’t have to worry about paying a lawyer if you’re going to lose your case.
It’s impossible to say how much your SSDI lawyer will make without knowing the details of your situation. The difficulty of your case and the amount of compensation you receive will affect their fees. Your attorney’s payment will be a minor percentage of your initial benefits.
In any Social Security disability case, we will never charge more than 25% of your compensation or $6,000, whichever number is smaller. The Social Security Administration (SSA) regulates how much any lawyer can make. Because of that, no SSDI attorney will ever charge you more than $6,000 for their services.
When you meet with one of our lawyers for your initial consultation, they will assess your case and tell you how much they will be likely to charge you. You two will come to an agreement on their fees, and then, they will get to work to make sure you get the benefits you need.
How does Social Security Disability Work in Cumming?
SSDI is like an insurance policy. It is guaranteed to all workers by the US government and was first established in the federal Social Security Act. That law states that if you develop a disability that prevents you from working, you will be given benefits in the form of a payment that helps you pay your bills and take care of those who are dependent on you.
It doesn’t matter how the disability happened – it does not need to be work-related. If you have worked in the past and can no longer work, you qualify. But that doesn’t mean the government is quick to hand over your benefits.
The Social Security Administration is the agency in charge of handling disability claims, and the offices in the City of Cumming are notorious for turning down claims on technicalities or paperwork errors.
The SSA requires extensive documentation to approve any claim, and subjects each one to a lengthy review process. This is why it’s so important to have a good lawyer help you with your claim.
Who Qualifies for SSDI Benefits?
In general, any worker who can no longer work because of a medical disability qualifies. The disability can be physical or psychological. But the SSA will want you to prove that you have worked in the past and that your condition qualifies. Some of the factors they will ask you to prove include:
- That you earned enough “work credits” (worked enough hours) under SSA guidelines
- That you have worked recently (20 work credits or more in the past 10 years)
- If you didn’t work enough, or not recently enough, they will ask you to prove you have a low income
- That you have a diagnosed medical condition
- That your medical condition is either terminal or is likely to last more than 1 year
- That you cannot perform your previous job because of your condition
- That your condition prevents you from adjusting to other work
You will need precise documentation supporting each of these claims. A Social Security disability attorney in Cumming will be able to help you collect all the documentation you need.
Are There Specific Conditions that Count As Disabilities?
Any condition can qualify, as long as it prevents you from working. It can be an injury or a disease, mental or physical. No matter what condition it is, the SSA will want to determine whether it is a real medical condition and whether it truly prevents you from working. This is where many people run into trouble. Some conditions are easier to prove than others.
Some conditions are already recognized as potentially causing disability. The SSA calls these “disabling conditions.” If you have one of these conditions you will still have to prove that you cannot work, but the process is easier. Examples of disabling conditions include:
- Serious back problems
- Heart problems such as heart failure
- Low vision and hearing loss
- Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions
- Mental disorders like clinically diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders
- Severe asthma
- Irritable bowel syndrome
There are many others. You can see a full list on the SSA’s website. There are also some very serious conditions, such as terminal cancer or Parkinson’s disease, that get a “compassionate allowance.” Simply being diagnosed with these conditions means you qualify for disability.
However: you don’t have to have any of these listed conditions to qualify. Any illness or injury that prevents you from working can count.
What If My Social Security Disability Claim Was Already Denied?
This is extremely common in Cumming. If your claim was already denied, there are two things you should do:
- Speak to a lawyer who has extensive experience with SSDI claims.
- Remain optimistic. Many claims that were initially denied can get approved on a second try.
The SSA offers an appeals process so that claims that were wrongly denied can get approved. This is your “second chance” to get your claim filed correctly. But to be successful on appeal, you will have to fix whatever the SSA believes was wrong with your initial claim.
In many cases, claims are turned down simply because you filed the paperwork wrong or left something out. In other cases, they want additional proof about your diagnosis, how it affects your work, or both.
When you bring your claim to us, we will find out the reason it was denied and make sure we correct everything. We know how to guide a claim through the appeals process to maximize its chances of being approved.
But remember – if you take your claim through the appeals process on your own and get denied again, you may lose your chance to appeal the claim forever. Speak to a Social Security disability lawyer in Cumming before you file your appeal.
Speak to a Cumming Social Security Disability Attorney for Free
If you can’t work, your SSDI benefits could be the difference between keeping a roof over your head and losing it. Don’t get denied for benefits you’ve already earned. We will use our experience and legal knowledge to do everything possible to get your claim approved. Don’t let your claim get denied when you need it most.
The Cumming Social Security disability lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you file your claim correctly and get the money you’re owed. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form