Social Security Disability Insurance Attorneys in Charlotte

A Compassionate Legal Team Dedicated to Helping Qualified Individuals Seek Disability Benefits from the SSDI Program

The federal government offers various programs that provide financial assistance to individuals with qualifying disabilities who meet other eligibility requirements. Social Security disability benefits can be obtained through either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). These programs have certain similarities in that they both are meant to support disabled individuals who are unable to work. Still, they have many key differences that must be considered before beginning the application process.

We encourage individuals with disabilities to contact our law firm to discuss their options for receiving benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). In your case evaluation, our legal team will evaluate your case and determine which type of disability benefits you may qualify for.

While no financial assistance program can truly ease the physical or mental pain that a disabled person may have to endure because of their disability, the hope is to reduce the financial burden they feel because of their disabilities and inability to work, thus providing them access to housing, food, clothing, and other expenses and opportunities in their daily life. To begin the process of determining eligibility and applying for benefits, please get in touch with our law firm to schedule your initial consultation today.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Whereas SSI benefits are meant to provide financial assistance to individuals over the age of 65, those with total or partial blindness, and those with limited financial resources, SSDI benefits are for other disabled individuals who meet different criteria. The SSDI program requires applicants to have sufficient work credits, an inability to perform substantial gainful activity, and severe medical conditions that the SSA considers qualifying disabilities.

The SSDI program is funded by Social Security taxes deducted from your workplace paychecks. Essentially, Social Security disability insurance benefits are funded by a trust fund composed of taxes collected through the Self-Employment Contributions Act or the Federal Insurance Contributions Act for employees. 

Depending on the severity of your mental or physical health condition and work history, you may be eligible for SSD benefits. If you do not have the necessary work credits, you may potentially qualify for Supplemental Security Income. To determine which program you could apply for, we encourage you to contact our law firm to schedule your, no-obligation case evaluation.

Which Disabled Individuals May Be Eligible for SSDI Benefits? 

Applicants must have a recent work history and substantial credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Social Security work credits are based on the total amount of annual income earned at your job or through self-employment. You can earn up to four work credits annually. 

The Social Security Administration generally recommends having at least 40 work credits to apply, with 20 of which having been earned at least within the last decade before you became disabled. However, there may be exceptions based on the applicant’s age.

Severe disabilities are also a necessary qualifier for individuals seeking SSDI benefits, according to Social Security disability law. Specific criteria must be met for a medical impairment to rise to the level of a disability in the eyes of the SSA. For example, the medical condition must prevent the applicant from performing regular work tasks at either a previous job or future place of employment, and the condition must have left the individual disabled for at least 12 months, be expected to last an additional 12 months, or ultimately result in the death of the applicant. Additionally, the Social Security Administration reviews whether your condition is listed in its medically approved listing of impairments. Depending on the impairment, you could be automatically qualified to receive SSDI benefits. Still, other conditions must meet a certain level of severity before qualifying.

What Evidence May Be Required in a Disability Claim? 

Upon determining that you qualify for SSDI benefits, you must then complete an application, which is supported by various pieces of evidence that strengthen your claims. If you do not have sufficient supporting evidence in your initial application, your disability claim will likely be denied, forcing you to go through a potentially lengthy appeals process.

Examples of the types of evidence that may be used to support your claim include the following:

• Medical records showing the severity of your disability and notes from doctors or physicians that support your claim and detail how the disability affects your daily life, as well as how long they expect the impairment to last.
• Work history records that show substantial work credits, which can qualify you for SSDI benefits. Depending on your age, such as whether you are young or approaching retirement age, you may have different requirements for how many work credits you must have.
• Depending on the type of disability you have, you may want to supply test results from doctors, including blood tests, X-rays, and other examples of medical review into your disabling condition.
• If your disability is related to a mental illness, you may have a more difficult time proving your disability claim. You should seek appropriate documentation from mental health professionals, such as psychiatrists or psychologists, about your diagnosis.
• Detailed personal information about the applicant, explaining how the condition affects their daily life, their ability to perform substantial gainful activity, and other factors that could negatively impact their well-being.

Unlike applicants seeking SSI benefits, there is no need to disclose your financial situation or resource limits when seeking SSDI benefits.

How Can Experienced SSDI Lawyers Help You if Your Application is Denied? 

It’s unfortunate, but more than half of all Social Security Disability Insurance applications are denied during the initial review. Instead of filing a new application, which will likely also be rejected, we recommend you speak to our attorneys about appealing a decision that is not in your favor.

Our Charlotte attorneys have extensive experience assisting clients through the appeals process, and we’ll be by your side, keeping you informed as we work together to seek a favorable outcome.

The first step in the appeals process is to request reconsideration of the initial application, which must be submitted within 60 days of the denial notice. If the reconsideration is not in your favor, our Charlotte lawyers will request a formal hearing before an administrative law judge. If that hearing is denied or if you still receive an unsatisfactory outcome for your claim, we will explore other options in the appeals process.

Contact Us for Consultation with Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Today

Our North Carolina law firm has an in-depth knowledge of Social Security law and a steadfast dedication to our clients seeking benefits. As your Social Security disability attorneys, we will try everything to get you the benefits you deserve, including taking your case through all stages of the appeals process, potentially all the way to federal court. We are passionate about practicing law and representing clients in need.

To learn more about the benefits of retaining our Charlotte disability lawyers, please schedule your consultation today. During your case evaluation, we will determine your eligibility and review your options for receiving benefits from the SSA.

Please get in touch with us today by calling us at 704-385-5281.