South Fulton
Social Security Disability Lawyer

If you have an illness or impairment that keeps you from doing your job, you could be eligible for social security disability insurance (SSDI). This insurance supports American workers, who have been paying social security taxes that go toward DI.

The requirements for disability insurance payments are strict. To get the money you deserve, you may need legal assistance. A South Fulton personal injury lawyer in South Fulton from John Foy and Associates can help you prove your case and receive SSDI benefits.

Who Is Eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits?

To receive disability benefits, you need to meet strict requirements stated in the Social Security Act (SSA). According to the act, you are disabled if you:

• Can’t work because you have a severe medical condition that has lasted or is expected to persist for at least 12 months.
• Can’t work because you have a severe medical condition that is expected to result in death.
• Are younger than your full retirement age.
• Don’t have a partial or short-term disability.
• Have a condition that prevents you from doing the work you used to do in the past.

While you can file for benefits on your own, the chances of approval without legal assistance are often slim. A social security disability attorney can help evaluate your eligibility and take all the necessary steps to achieve approval.

Social Security Disability Payments

The chances of somebody becoming disabled are higher than you may expect. According to Social Security Administration (SSA), a 20-year-old person has a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching the age of retirement.

The average monthly SSD benefit amount changes annually. While these payments may not seem sizable, they can be highly beneficial for people who lose their source of income. This money can help you meet basic needs.

How to File for Social Security Disability Benefits

The filing process begins with submitting an application. The SSA provides an opportunity to fill it out online. The application needs to contain extensive information about your:

• Medical condition.
• Employment history.
• Financial situation.

Once you file the application, the SSA may decide to schedule an independent medical exam to make sure that you qualify. An experienced attorney can help you fill out the application correctly and provide all the necessary evidence to support your claim.

A Denied Social Security Disability Claim

Even if you meet the eligibility criteria for the social security disability benefits, your claim may be denied. It can happen for numerous reasons, including:

• You earn too much money.
• Your disability isn’t likely to last over 12 months.
• You don’t follow the doctor’s orders.

The key to proving that you are eligible for DI benefits is providing extensive medical records. If you don’t do so, the SSA simply won’t have the basis for making the payments.

How to Appeal

If the SSA denies your application, it doesn’t mean you lose the chance to get the benefits. By working with an experienced social security disability attorney, you can appeal the SSA’s decision. You have 60 days after the denial notice to ask for reconsideration.

The appeal process is time-consuming and complex. That’s why you should consider hiring a Social Security disability lawyer in South Fulton before filing the initial application. Professional legal advice can increase your chances of getting approved quickly and minimize the possibility of unfair denial.

What Is Substantial Gainful Activity?

To qualify for social security disability insurance benefits, you have to earn less than a certain amount. Substantial gainful activity (SGA) is a limit on your work income that changes on a yearly basis.

If your income is higher than the cap, your application for disability payments is likely to be denied.

How a South Fulton Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help

While it’s possible to get social security disability insurance payments without legal help, it’s always a risk. For people with a terminal condition or a serious illness, a denial or delay could be devastating. A social security disability attorney can:

• Answer all of your questions about eligibility, payments, approval duration, and more.
• Help you file the initial application (the majority of denials occur because of incorrectly filed applications).
• Assist with collecting medical evidence that’s needed for approval.
• Find and prepare witnesses who can testify about your disability.
• Help you file an appeal if the SSA denies your claim and represent you at a hearing.

If you are eligible for benefits, you are likely to receive your first payments several months after filing the initial application. In some cases, an attorney can help expedite the case by leveraging such SSA programs as TERI (Terminal Illness) or PD (Presumptive Disability).

When Should You Call an Attorney?

As soon as you decide to file for disability benefits, you should consider calling an attorney. The majority of respectable social security disability lawyers offer a free consultation. During the initial consultation, they can evaluate your chances of getting approved and save you time and money.

Since the initial disability application is the key to receiving early approval, it’s important to contact an attorney before you file it. If you file the initial application on your own and receive a denial, it’s another good reason to ask for professional help.

Working with an attorney doesn’t just help you get social security disability benefits. It allows you to take advantage of them faster. If you are suffering from a bad financial situation, speed can be a deciding factor.  

Contact South Fulton Social Security Disability Attorney Today

If you have a disability, you could be eligible for social security disability benefits. To improve your chances of approval, consider hiring an attorney.

At John Foy and Associates, we have a team of social security disability attorneys in South Fulton who can help you get the money you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today.