Social Security Disability
Nothing is more troubling than to be denied benefits for Social Security disability. Additionally, the appeal process is challenging and requires medical forms and reports, interviews, a complete history of your work skills, and a number of other documents. If you are denied twice, you may have to appear before an administrative law judge.
To be approved for benefits, you must establish your “inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months”.
The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits under two programs:
- The Social Security disability insurance program pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes.
Your adult child also may qualify for benefits on your earnings record if he or she has a disability that started before age 22.
- The Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.
SSI benefits also are payable to people 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial limits.
For most people, the medical requirements for disability payments are the same under both programs and disability is determined by the same process.
Whether you apply for Social Security or SSI disability, you will be required to provide information about your medical condition, work, and education history. We can help you prepare this information and represent you during the appeal process.