Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federal program that was set up to provide income to totally disabled individuals in Evans and throughout the country. While this program can be helpful to many, it’s also difficult to get approved in many cases—even when you should qualify. This can be an incredibly frustrating process, but you don’t have to go through it alone. The help of an Evans Social Security Disability lawyer can make all the difference.
Our SSD lawyers at John Foy & Associates have helped countless applicants get the benefits they need over the past 20 plus years. We work tirelessly to help you improve your application and demonstrate your eligibility for disability benefits. To speak with one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers about your situation (and how we can help) today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
How “Disability” Is Defined Through Social Security Disability
To have a chance at getting approved for benefits, you must meet the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s definition of a disabling condition. The SSA is an independent agency of the United States government that was created in 1935 and administers SSD benefits.
The Social Security program is unique in that it only provides benefits to those who are totally disabled. Partial or temporary benefits are not an option through SSD. That means, to qualify, you must be:
- Disabled from working
- Unable to return to any previous work you did
- Unable to perform new types of work
- Have a disabling medical condition that has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year (or result in death)
The SSA has a specific process for determining whether or not you have a disabling condition. They will see if your condition is considered to be “severe” (limiting basic work abilities like walking, sitting, standing, lifting, or remembering for at least a year) and if it is present on their Listing of Impairments.
The SSA’s Listing of Impairments contains conditions that are considered severe enough to qualify for benefits. Your condition does not necessarily need to be on this list, but it must be serious enough compared to a similar listed condition.
You will typically need to provide your medical records, a statement from a medical professional regarding how long your condition is expected to last, and more in your application. Providing the right documentation to show the severity of your condition is a lengthy process, and it’s best to work with a Social Security Disability lawyer in Evans who can help you provide the best information.
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You Must Also Have Enough Work Credits
Having a disabling condition is just one piece of the puzzle. Since Social Security Disability is paid through Social Security taxes, you must have earned enough work “credits” to benefit from the program.
You should have paid into Social Security taxes through your wages or self-employment income. These taxes are automatically taken as a portion of each paycheck. Therefore, most people have earned enough work credits if they have worked much at all in the past 10 years. If you have any doubt about how many credits you have earned, your Social Security Disability lawyer can look into it for you.
Work Credit Requirements
You must earn a certain amount of wages to earn each work credit. The exact number changes from year to year. In 2020, for example, you earn one work credit for every $1,410 in wages or self-employment income you earn. You can earn up to four work credits per year.
The exact amount of work credits you need to qualify for SSD depends on your age. Most people need to have earned at least 40 work credits with 20 of those credits earned in the past 10 years before you become disabled.
Younger workers will not need as many work credits. For example, if you are between the age of 31 and 41, you will typically only need 20 work credits in the 10 years before you became disabled. To learn more about work credits, view the SSA’s credits page or reach out to your Evans Social Security Disability lawyer.
How a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Evans Can Help
You might wonder, “Do I really need the help of a Social Security Disability lawyer?” Whether or not you hire a lawyer is completely up to you, and you have every right to handle your application alone. However, we have found that working with an experienced lawyer often makes all the difference for applicants who are overwhelmed by the process or who have had their claims rejected.
While a Social Security Disability lawyer cannot speed up the approval process (no one can), they can help ensure you have the right documentation, meet deadlines, make the correct improvements for your appeal, and, ultimately, increase your chances of winning benefits.
You’ll also want to work with a lawyer who specializes in Social Security Disability claims. Many attorneys will say they take on these types of cases, but you want someone who has the experience and success rate to back it up. Look for an SSD lawyer in Evans who knows what it takes to win the benefits you deserve.
Talk to an Evans Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we know how frustrating and overwhelming the SSD disability application and appeals process can be. Our goal is always to make the process as smooth as possible for you—and get you the disability benefits you need to support yourself and your family. We have been doing this for countless SSD applicants over the past 20 plus years.
Contact us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation to go over the details of your case and what we can do to help. Never assume there is no hope or that you’re in this alone. Our experienced and compassionate lawyers are here to help. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
