If you are facing a serious disability, you probably have several questions running through your mind. You may be wondering how you will pay your bills, support your family, pay for medical care and other unexpected expenses. We understand how stressful it is to be unsure about your financial future, and whether you will be approved for disability income. Let us help you through the SSDI process.
What Is SSDI?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a program that provides financial support for people who cannot work due to a disability. This type of insurance is for long-term disability income. For short-term disabilities, there are other types of programs and workers’ compensation in some instances. To be eligible for SSDI, you must prove that you cannot work or earn a living. This is a difficult process without an attorney’s help.
Social Security Disability In Annapolis, MD
The biggest obstacle for SSDI approval is proving your disability and inability to work. The Social Security Administration requires documentation of when the disability first started, how it happened, and what was done to treat it. If there were one or more medical professionals who examined you, or treated you after your disability started, gather the paperwork. The application process involves plenty of complex forms, which must be submitted in a timely manner. Failing to meet qualification criteria, providing wrong answers, or not submitting adequate information can result in a rejection. When your application is rejected, you can either appeal it or accept the rejection. However, it can be difficult to be approved for an appeal without the help of an attorney.
Who Qualifies For SSDI?
To qualify for SSDI, you must have worked in the past and must have paid FICA taxes. These taxes are automatically deducted by employers. The employers pay the amount to the federal government, and the money is available to qualified workers when they need it.
What Are The Work Stipulations?
Employees must work a certain number of hours each year to qualify for SSDI. Work increments count as credits toward benefit eligibility. If you are under the age of 28, you must have worked for at least 1.5 years before you apply for SSDI. As your age increases, the number of work years required for SSDI approval increases. For example, you must have worked at least 6 years to qualify if you are 46, and you must also have earned 24 credits.
Does Work Have To Be Recent?
If you apply for SSDI, your work history must be recent. As a rule, you must have worked at least 5 years during the past decade. You may be exempt from this requirement if you sustained a permanent disability when you were younger.
Getting Help From An Attorney
Attorneys who have helped others submit SSDI applications or appeals can be invaluable. We are familiar with the requirements, deadlines and form data. SSDI forms are not designed to be easy. Without the help of an attorney, your first application will likely be rejected. Appealing the decision takes a long time, and you need money as quickly as possible for your living and medical expenses.
Since over 50 percent of initial SSDI applications are rejected, it is worth your time to speak with an attorney. You may not know about all of the resources available to you. For example, did you know that disabled children and spouses may also qualify for disability income if the main wage earner is disabled? Many people do not know this, and they miss out on maximizing their household income.
The average disability check is less than a previous salary. With the help of a knowledgeable SSDI attorney in Annapolis, you face a better chance of approval and a reasonable income replacement. If you already applied for SSDI and were rejected, we can still help you. Our attorneys know the Social Security laws and know how to help you prove your disability. We help you collect documentation, obtain medical exam reports and complete your forms in a timely manner. Do not risk your financial security and future by going through the application or appeals process alone. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Our Services
Help Applying for SSDI
Help Appealing a SSDI Denial