Do you believe that you are unable to work? Are you currently treating with a physician or other health care worker? If you answer yes to these questions, then you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits.
- What We Do to Help You
Not all Social Security Disability lawyers are created equal. Find out how Smith Godios Sorensen Inc. is different and how we will walk you through the SSD/SSI appeals process.
- Medical Evidence
When making a Social Security Disability claim, you’re going to need the evidence—particularly medical evidence—to prove that you are classified as disabled. This article goes over what that means and what kind of evidence the SSA is looking for.
- Stages of a Disability Claim
Filing for disability with the Social Security Administration can be a drawn out process, especially if you have to deal with appeals. Find out here what the process is and how we can help you navigate the sometimes complex legal matters.
- Social Security Disability SSD
The SSA handles a number of programs. Is Social Security Disability (SSD) right for your situation and what does it entail?
- SSI Benefits for Children
Children’s Social Security benefits are typically classified as Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. Understand what this program is and how it differs from SSD.
- SSI Financial Criteria
- Applying for Benefits
Applying for Social Security benefits can be as simple as you going online and completing forms, but there is more to it than that. This article will help prepare you for the process and to give you the best chance of winning your claim.
- SSDI Benefits for Disabled Adult Children
Social Security Disability Insurance, also known as SSDI, also has a program for adult disabled children who have been disabled prior to age 22 and are unable to work as defined by the SSA. This program may allow your child to obtain benefits based on his or her parent’s work record.
- Frequently Asked Questions About SSD
As Social Security Disability lawyers, we handle a lot of questions regarding Social Security Disability. Read some of the frequently asked questions and the answers to those questions here.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and how does it differ from Social Security Disability (SSD)?
- Are You Working?
One of the most important questions to answer before applying for SSI or SSD is whether or not you are working. If you are, don’t quit your job just so you can apply. Consider these points before doing anything.
- Do You Have a Severe Impairment?
There are different levels of impairment for disability. Find out how the Social Security Administration defines a severe impairment.
- Does Your Impairment Meet or Equal a Disability Listing?
The federal government has defined a number of items as qualifying factors to be eligible for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income. Does your impairment fall under one of those already defined by the SSA?
- Equaling an Impairment Listing
If your impairment(s) already meets Social Security’s strict medical definitions, you may be able to win your case for disability sooner in the process.
- Medical Requirements for Disability
- Can You Perform Any of Your Previous Work?
Are you still able to perform some or all of the work you performed within the last 15 years? This can make a big difference in your Social Security Disability case.
- Are There Any Other Jobs You Could Do?
Even if you cannot perform the work you once did, SSA is going to bring in a witness to see if there are other jobs out there that you would be able to perform in the national economy. As you age, it becomes easier to show that there are fewer jobs available for you to perform in the national economy.
- Effectuation of Benefits
Once the Social Security has found someone to be disabled, what happens next?
- Offsets
Are there additional items that may have an effect on your payments for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income? Most of these are discovered and dealt with in the effectuation phase, but there could be others.
- Duty to Report Changes
There are all sorts of changes that you will be required to report to the Social Security Administration. Many of them have nothing to do with adjusting your SSI or SSD payments, but rather insuring you continue getting your payments.
