Understanding Disability Laws

Anyone with a major disability must face two major issues:

  • Discrimination
  • Finding a means of financial support

Within the United States, special laws and support systems have been developed to help disabled individuals in both areas.

Laws against discrimination

In 1990, the Americans With Disabilities Act was implemented throughout the country to help individuals with physical or mental disabilities to cope in many areas of their lives.  Wherever disabled individuals live—in California, New York, or Nashville—disability laws govern many issues, including the following:

  • Access:  Accommodations must be available to permit access throughout public and government buildings.  This includes ramps, elevators, and even Braille labeling for elevator buttons.
  • Employment:  The law prohibits discrimination in employment based on disability.  Throughout the country, including Murfreesboro, disability laws also require companies to restructure jobs, and even modify the work environment to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals, provided it does not cause undue hardship for the business or require the lowering of standards.

A number of tax incentives have been developed to promote employment and accessibility of public accommodations.

When, in Murfreesboro, disability laws are ignored, failing to accommodate the special needs of the disabled, they can often resolve these issues with the help of an attorney with experience supporting the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act.  The attorneys at Craft & Sheppard, PLC have the skills to help individuals who need help in this often complex area of the law.

Finding help with financial support

Whether a disabled for a lifetime, or even if an accident disables someone for a year or more, finding a means of financial support can be challenging.  The Social Security Administration administers two programs that can help:

  • Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits

SSD benefits

Social Security law allows individuals with a prior history of work and Social Security contributions to apply for disability benefits.  The application process is extremely detailed, and even one error in the application can result in a denied claim.  In fact, the Social Security Administration reports that, with claims at an all-time high, denials occur at an approximate rate of 60 percent.  Denied claims can be appealed through an Appeals Council review, but denials of appeals are occurring at a rate of about 80 percent.

Chances for acceptance of your Social Security disability claims in Nashville or anywhere in the country can be increased by retaining a Social Security Disability attorney with experience in Social Security laws.  Your attorney understands the details behind how to handle the initial claim or an appeal.  And, even if an appeal has been denied, a skilled attorney can take your case all the way to federal court.

SSI benefits

This program is also administered by the Social Security Administration, but it is a separate and distinct program.  Unlike SSD, Murfreesboro disability claims for SSI are not paid by the Social Security Administration—they are paid from general tax revenues.  As such, applicants are not required to have paid into Social Security as part of a reasonable work history prior to disability.  The intent of SSI is to help aged, blind, and disabled people by providing the cash needed for basics such as food, shelter, and clothing.  It does carry stringent requirements pertaining to the income and assets of applicants.

Attorneys make a difference in your claim

Whether you apply for SSD or SSI, retaining an experienced Murfreesboro Social Security income lawyer can make a significant difference in your claim.  The attorneys at Craft & Sheppard, PLC can ensure you include all needed details in your initial claim and pursue your claim throughout the complex appeals process, when needed.  Contact us today.