Why You Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer

Becoming disabled, whether from an accident or a longstanding medical condition, is a traumatic experience that affects the whole family. Filing a claim for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be confusing and frustrating—an experience that many people dealing with a disabling condition or injury are unequipped to handle on their own. This is where an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can prove invaluable.

“Social Security Disability law is intricate, with a multitude of rules and grey areas,” says Mark Bernstein of The Sam Bernstein Law Firm, “and, unfortunately, many people are denied benefits, even when they meet the criteria. Our experienced team of Social Security Disability lawyers can help you get the benefits you deserve.”

How Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help

An experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can help you get the benefits you are entitled to in several ways by:

• Assisting with the volume of complicated forms that are required
• Helping to obtain necessary medical records and other supporting documents
• Determining which records will best support your claim according to Social Security Administration rules and regulations
• Filing a timely appeal if the initial claim is denied
• Representing you in court if necessary

Defining Disability

The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death; or which has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more.”

The impairment, which can be physical or mental, or a combination of both, must be of such severity that the claimant is unable to perform previous work or engage in any other kind of gainful work that exists in the national economy.

Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

Another reason to enlist the services of a Social Security Disability lawyer is to help you determine which type of benefits you may qualify for and assist you in filing the correct claims.

• Social Security Disability (SSD) benefit programs are “entitlement” programs. You qualify for these benefits based on your own work history or that of your parent or spouse. This benefit is also known as SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) and RSDI (Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance).
• Supplemental Security Income Benefits (SSI) is a needs-based program for low-income disabled children and adults. Eligibility is determined based on other benefits, savings and certain other assets and income of the other household members.

The Appeal Process

If the initial application is denied, which can happen even to eligible applicants, a claimant has only 60 days to request an appeal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Statistics show that claimants that have legal representation win their appeals cases more often than those who attempt the process on their own.

“The law is complicated, but finding the right Social Security Disability lawyer is simple,” said Bernstein. “If you or a loved one was denied Social Security Disability benefits or plans to apply for benefits, call our experienced Social Security Disability lawyers today.”

Call 1-800-CALL-SAM today for a free, no-obligation consultation.