Social Security Disability
Denied Disability by Social Security
If the Social Security Administration has denied your claim for disability, do not give up! We are committed to helping you through these difficult times. We know that everyday is a struggle for you and your family as a result of your disability. Let us help make life a little easier. CALL US today and let us help you through the Social Security Disability process. We are disability lawyers in Lafayette and South Bend who serve Greater Lafayette, South Bend and all of Michiana and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, we hope the you will find the following information helpful.
What Makes Me Eligible for Social Security
Disability Benefits?
Generally speaking, to receive benefits under the social security disability insurance benefit and SSI programs, you must have physical or mental health problems (or a combination of problems) severe enough to keep you from working in any regular, paying job for at least 12 months.
But keep in mind that Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t want to know whether you have been unable to get a job lately or that you are simply unable to go back to your old job. Rather, SSA wants to know whether you are capable of doing any job that exist in the economy in significant numbers.
SSA will also look at your medical condition, your remaining ability to work, your age, education, training and work experience in deciding your case. SSA will not consider your assets and resources to determine eligibility for benefits under the disability insurance program. But it will if you are applying for SSI.
At age 50 for most people, and again at ages 55 and 60, SSA’s regulations make it easier to be found disabled. However, we have also been successful in obtaining disability awards for persons younger than 50 in the appropriate cases.
What if SSA Has Denied Me?
DO NOT GIVE UP!! and make sure to request reconsideration. A majority of applicants have their initial application for benefits denied. This is an attempt by the Social Security Administration to “weed out” claims and save money.
Will My Request for Reconsideration
Be Approved?
Probably not, but again, DO NOT GIVE UP!! If your request for reconsideration is denied, you should make sure that you request a hearing because your chances of being successful are best at the hearing level.
What Is A Hearing?
At the hearing, you will be able to present evidence in the form of medical records, reports and testimony. An administrative law judge or your attorney will ask you about your medical condition, medical history, abilities, education, training, work experience and the limitations caused by your disability. Once evidence and testimony is presented, your attorney will likely make a closing argument summarizing why you should be awarded benefits.
When should I Contact a Disability Lawyer?
If you are considering hiring a lawyer to help you, then it is probably best to start looking for a disability lawyer as soon as your application for benefits is denied. The more time a lawyer has to prepare your claim, the better he or she can help you.
What Information Will My
Attorney Need?
We will send you a questionnaire and tell you what else you will need to bring to your first appointment.
How Do I Pay My Attorney?
You will not pay a fee unless you receive a back benefit award. Our fee is limited to a percentage of your back benefits. To pay attorney fees in social security disability cases, SSA will withhold the amount from any back benefit award. Nothing will be withheld from your regular monthly checks.
If I Win When Do I Start
Receiving Benefits
If you are approved for disability insurance benefits, you will be paid for the 6th full month after the date SSA determines your disability began. The amount of your benefit will depend on your average lifetime earnings. If you are approved for SSI, then there is no waiting period.
Medicare Coverage
If you are approved for disability insurance benefits, you will also become eligible for Medicare. While Medicare benefits may not kick in at the same time as the disability award due to a waiting period that is involved, most claimants will be eligible for Medicare benefits by the time they receive their first disability check.
For questions that you may have regarding your Social Security disability claim, please contact us in
Greater Lafayette at (765)742-4529
South Bend at (574)232-8600 or Toll Free at (877)232-8007.
Serving the needs of the disabled in Greater Lafayette, South Bend and all of Michiana !!
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Seeger Hodson & Forbes South BendHelpful Links
Frequently Asked Questions Sites- Spine Universe
- Health Finder
- Merck Manual
- Medline
- MedicineNet
- WebMD
- National Library of Medicine
- Family Doctor
- Mayo Clinic
- Indiana Family and Social Services
- National Council for Support of Disability Issues
- Disability Resources
- Disability Info Gov
- AARP
Firm News
Firm Recognition
The Firm is pleased to announce that Rod Forbes has been named a fellow of LITIGATION COUNSEL OF AMERICA. The LITIGATION COUNSEL OF AMERICA is an invitation- only trial lawyer honorary society. Membership is limited to 3,500 Fellows, representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers.
SOUTH BEND DISABILITY PRACTICE OPENS
January 5, 2009
Seeger Hodson & Forbes proudly announces the opening of its South Bend office located in the historic JMS Building in downtown South Bend. Randal Forbes, Esq, has joined the firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Social Security Disability practice in the South Bend office. Rick Forbes has joined the staff as a case administrator in the South Bend office. Now serving the needs of the disabled in all of Michiana.
