Social Security Disability Claims in Atlanta, Georgia
Our government has enacted certain programs, such as the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, to provide you with relief if you become disabled and can no longer work. Unfortunately, the filing process can be very complicated and you may get bogged down in confusing federal bureaucracy while you try to receive your benefits.
The Atlanta Social Security Disability lawyer at Robbins Law, PC can help you through the filing process to ensure that you receive the maximum allowable benefits in a timely manner. If you have already filed your application and had it denied by the Social Security Administration, our attorney can help you with your appeal.
The SSDI and SSI Programs
There are two programs which can provide you with relief if you have suffered a disability which prevents you from earning a living. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly disability payments to people under the retirement age who are no longer able to perform their work duties and have accumulated enough quarters of work credit to qualify for benefits. Supplemental Social Security Income (SSI) provides monthly disability benefits to individuals who have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI.
In order to be eligible for one of these programs, you must meet a variety of criteria established by the Social Security Administration. Determining who meets these criteria has evolved into a complex process requiring the assistance of a skilled Social Security Disability lawyer to ensure that all requirements are met.
Robbins Law, PC Can Help You Get Social Security Disability Benefits
Approximately 70-75% of SSDI claims are initially denied. Of these, roughly 60-70% are accepted upon appeal. Our skilled SSDI attorney can greatly increase your chances of approval in the early stages of the application process so that you can start receiving your benefits faster. If your claim was initially denied, it is crucial that you have a lawyer on your side for the appeals process.
Compiling all the records and information needed for a Social Security Disability case is a time-consuming process and one that requires a detailed knowledge of the system. Social Security Disability attorney Laurie Robbins has amassed years of experience in appealing these cases to Administrative Law Judges. In many cases, we have been able to reverse the original ruling so that our clients were able to collect the benefits to which they were entitled.
Attorney Laurie Robbins answers your questions about Social Security Disability
Who is eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance, you must be under retirement age and able to prove you have a disability that prevents you from working. Your disability must have impacted your ability to work in your chosen field and prevent you from seeking employment in another industry. SSDI is not available for short-term disabilities, meaning you will need to prove your disability has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 consecutive months.
What is the difference between SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
SSDI is funded by the Social Security tax fund. To qualify for SSDI, you must have paid into the program during your working career. Generally, this requires a steady work history of five to 10 years. However, applicants under the age of 22 may have their parent’s work credits applied toward their claim. SSI is a needs-based program funded by the general tax fund and not through the Social Security taxes. SSI is designed to provide monthly disability benefits to people over the age of 65 who have low income and limited resources and assets.
What is the application process for SSDI?
You can apply for SSDI online or in person. Among other information, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will require detailed medical records in addition to a completed application, disability report and disclosure-of-information form. The SSA will review your application and notify you of whether your claim is accepted or denied; keep in mind that more than two-thirds of all initial claims are denied.
Do I need an SSDI attorney?
The SSA receives thousands of claims per week and denies many due to incomplete applications, missing supplemental information or insufficient evidence of disability. The experienced Atlanta Social Security Disability attorney at Robbins & Associates can assist you in filing your first SSDI claim or appealing your claim should it be denied. Working with an SSDI lawyer improves your chances for success both during your initial filing and during the appeals process; in fact, the SSA suggests working with a qualified attorney to ensure the necessary documentation is complete.
If you think you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, please contact our experienced Atlanta Social Security Disability lawyer today to schedule your free initial consultation.