Have you been disabled and need to file for social security disability or SSI disability?
Have you applied for social security benefits and have been denied? The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. Learn more about social security disability help.
Social Security Disability Act:
Under the federal Social Security Disability Act, "disability" means the "inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physician or mental impairment which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months or result in death."
Who can get Social Security disability benefits?
Social Security pays benefits to individuals who aren't able to work due to their medical conditions. These are medical conditions that are expected to last one year or result in even further damage.
In order to receive disability benefits, you must meet the criteria of two different earning tests:
- Recent work test: This test is based on the time and age that the individual has become disabled.
- Duration of work test: This test is based on whether or not the individual has worked long enough under social security.
What are social security disability benefits?
Social Security itself is a federal government run system that administers two separate maintenance programs: Retirement, Disability and Health Insurance, which provides income and Medicare insurance for retired and disabled workers.
What are SSI Disability benefits?
Supplemental Security Income, which is a federally supported program for any person who is disabled and has minimum income characteristics.
Its benefits are to help aged and disabled individuals. These individuals either have little or no income, and it helps provide cash for those to purchase basic needs.
Who we are and what we do:
The Social Security process has many roadblocks, and is a cause of great frustration for many people. At our firm, we AGGRESSIVELY press for THE RIGHTS OF our clientele. The focus on winning requires an understanding of both Social Security law and of our client's unique situation. More than just a business, we are always mindful that time is of the essence, and we take the necessary efforts to speed up the Social Security process. Few, if any, firms in the country - particularly in Cleveland or Columbus - offer the combination of resourcefulness, experience, and winning methodology in advocating for Social Security clients. It is no small wonder that the firm's partner is used as a lecturer to other attorneys, and that her cases and track record are regularly cited in national publications. Learn more about social security disability help in Cleveland and Columbus.
Social Security itself is a federal government run system that administers two separate maintenance programs: Retirement, Disability and Health Insurance, which provides income and Medicare insurance for retired and disabled workers; and Supplemental Security Income, which is a federally supported program for any person who is disabled and has minimum income characteristics.
At our firm, we are very proud of the high rate of victories in Social Security cases we achieve for our clients. While each case is treated individually, all clients benefit from the firm's wealth of experience and knowledge in the field. Our years of experience are an invaluable tool in penetrating the layers of bureaucracy that hold up Social Security claims.
Our firm's reputation for compiling the appropriate and necessary evidence, using persuasive time chronologies, and making the key arguments for our clients is well known throughout Ohio and its adjoining states - and nationally. Judges often look forward to the firm's hearings precisely because of the evidentiary tools the firm uses and because of the dedicated, persuasive advocacy the firm is known for.
In contrast to other firms, we ensure policies exist that do not compromise one's legal representation. No corners are cut: hearings are only taken by qualified and highly experienced attorneys. Moreover, our firm is driven by a passion for the work they do. The firm's attorneys are not only qualified and well trained, but they are also supported by the capable and dedicated staff of the firm. Further, Social Security hearings are all handled by in-house, fully trained attorneys - not "affiliated" attorneys or "paraprofessionals." Read about our social security attorneys.
Social Security law, while frustrating, can be broken down as follows. The types of Social Security claims recognized by the Social Security Administration are:
- Childhood Disability
- Supplemental Security Income
- Widow's Disability
- Worker's Disability
Typically, disability refers to the inability to engage in "substantial gainful activity," which itself is defined as earning more than $900 per month based on physical and/or mental impairment, age, education and vocational background. Childhood disability follows a similar standard but evaluates age-appropriate activities and medical limitations. Individuals whose disability is under review with the threat of having his or her benefits terminated must show that they do not yet possess the medical capacities necessary to return to work.
Due to the way Social Security operates, many claimants have their initial disability applications and requests for reconsideration denied. An appeal must be filed within 60 days of any denial; if it is not, the entire process must begin again. The next step in the Social Security appeal process is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, where a claimant has the right to present information regarding his or her disability. This is the stage in the Social Security process at which most denied claims are reversed in favor of the claimant. If a claim is denied administratively, an applicant does have the right to a federal court review. This is an extremely important level of review because it marks the first time someone completely outside of the Social Security system evaluates a disability applicant's case.
Our firm regularly attends hearings and represents clients in Cleveland, Columbus, Mansfield, Pittsburgh, and other Social Security offices throughout the United States. Ohio cities such as Akron, Youngstown, Canton, and Lorain often have hearings in regional offices. Learn more about social security disability help near you.