Hinesville
Social Security Disability (SSD) Lawyer

Due to gaps in the system, many people who qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits in Hinesville all still denied coverage. For many, these benefits are necessary to support themselves and their families. If you were denied coverage even though you qualify, or if you need help with your application, contact a Hinesville Social Security Disability lawyer today.

Our SSD lawyers at John Foy & Associates have been helping applicants get approved for benefits for 20 plus years. We understand how the system works and what’s required to qualify. Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss your case and talk about how we can help improve your chances of approval.

Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation today.

How Social Security Disability Works in Hinesville

Social Security Disability, or SSD, is meant to provide regular income to individuals who are disabled from working. SSD is paid weekly to those who qualify and are approved. To qualify for these benefits, you must meet a certain set of criteria that we’ll cover below.

To get approved for SSD, you must complete an application with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA reviews each application and approves those that appear to meet their guidelines.

Most people who have worked paid into SSD, as it is taken as a portion of each paycheck, similar to an insurance policy. If you have paid into the system and become disabled from working, SSD is your right.

What You Need to Be Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits in Hinesville

If you worked much at all in the past 10 years and can no longer work now, there’s a good chance you should qualify for Social Security Disability. However, actually getting approved is more complicated than that.

To approve you for benefits, the SSA will look at the following.

Whether or Not You Have Worked Enough

You must have paid into Social Security long enough to be eligible for benefits. That includes working recently enough, as well. The SSA uses work credits to see if you qualify.

The number of work credits you need to qualify for this section depends on your age and the year:

• Most people need 40 work credits with 20 of those credits earned in the past 10 years.
• Workers who are disabled at a younger age may require fewer work credits to qualify.
• Work credits are based on your income and the amount of income you need per credit changes each year.
• In 2020, you can earn one work credit per $1,410 you make in wages or income.
• You can earn up to four work credits per year.

If you need help figuring out your total work credits, a Hinesville Social Security Disability lawyer can help.

Whether or Not You Meet the Definition of a Disabling Condition

You can only qualify for SSD if you have a total disability. That means you:

• Are not currently working
• Have a disability that has lasted (or is expected to last) for at least a year or end in death
• Cannot do any type of work that you have done before
• Cannot do other new types of work

Unlike other disability programs, such as workers’ compensation, you cannot receive SSD for a temporary or partial disability.

The SSA will decide if your specific condition qualifies by asking questions like:

• Is your condition considered to be “severe”?
• Can your condition be found on the SSA’s listing of impairments?
• If your condition is not found on the listing of impairments, is it as severe as another condition on the list?

Even if you meet the above criteria, it can be hard to fully demonstrate it in your application. This is why it can be so advantageous to work with a Social Security Disability lawyer in Hinesville. An experienced lawyer will be able to identify areas in your application that can be improved or changed.

Examples of Disabling Conditions that Qualify

Disabling conditions that qualify for SSD can be physical, mental, or the result of an illness or disease. You do not need to have a condition that resulted from working.

Common conditions that the SSA recognizes are disabling include:

• Chronic heart failure
• Soft tissue injuries, such as burns
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• Amputations
• Respiratory failure
• Chronic liver disease
• Vision or hearing loss
• Epilepsy
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders

If your condition is not on the SSA’s list, don’t lose heart. You can still qualify if your condition is as severe as a similar listed condition. Your lawyer can help you demonstrate the seriousness of your condition in your application.

There are also two situations where disability claims are expedited:

• Compassionate allowances: Cases where someone qualifies for SSD as soon as they are diagnosed, such as those with pancreatic cancer or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Quick disability determinations: Cases that have been screened through computer software to identify a high probability of approval

Social Security Benefits for Widows or Widowers

If your spouse who worked dies and you are disabled, you may be eligible for benefits if:

• You are between the ages of 50 and 60
• You have a condition that meets the SSA’s disability definition outlined above
• You become disabled before or within seven years of your spouse’s death

It’s best to contact an SSD lawyer as soon as you can if you are a disabled widow or widower. You cannot apply for benefits online, so you will also need to contact Social Security by phone. A lawyer can help you do this and make sure your application includes all the information the SSA requires.

Talk to a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Hinesville for Free Today

At John Foy & Associates, we can help you with your Social Security Disability application in Hinesville so you have the best possible chance of approval. Whether this is your first application or you’ve applied for benefits many times, contact us today and we’ll discuss how we can help—starting with a FREE consultation.

To get your FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call.