Supplemental Security Income Lawyers in Charlotte

A Dedicated Team of Legal Professionals Fiercely Committed to Helping Disabled Individuals with Limited Resources Seek Their Rightful Benefits

At our law firm in Charlotte, North Carolina, our lawyers and support staff are passionate about helping our clients obtain the disability benefits they deserve and need. Whether you qualify for Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income, we will represent your needs throughout the entire process, from eligibility determination to the appeals process, if necessary.

Many disabled individuals find Social Security law to be overly complicated and the application process to be too daunting to handle on their own. Indeed, many of the first attempts to apply for benefits are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which leads far too many disabled people to despair and give up right then and there. Instead of handling the various procedures on your own, we recommend working with our skilled attorneys to help you file your application and navigate the following stages of your disability claim process.

Our attorneys and staff operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not owe us any legal fees unless and until we secure compensation in your disability case. Additionally, we offer case evaluations to prospective new clients interested in learning the many advantages of retaining our legal services. To request your case review, please contact our NC law office today.

Are You Eligible for Disability Benefits from the Social Security Administration? 

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may potentially qualify for different federal programs that are meant to provide financial assistance to disabled Americans in need. The two disability benefit programs offered by the Social Security Administration include Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and supplemental security income (SSI).

Many people struggling with disabilities apply for benefits in one or both of these programs. Still, many do not know the differences between the programs or which program they may be eligible to receive benefits from. While both SSDI and SSI programs are meant to provide financial assistance to disabled individuals, there are key differences between the programs.

Social Security disability insurance benefits are reserved for disabled individuals with sufficient work history and work credits who cannot hold down substantial gainful employment because of their physical or mental health conditions. There are no financial requirements for SSDI benefits, but applicants must also be able to prove that their impairments meet the severity threshold for disability benefits. Supplemental Security Income, on the other hand, is meant for disabled individuals of limited income and assets. There are no work history requirements for SSI benefits.

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Disabilities or age may render individuals unable to maintain financial independence and support themselves through daily life. Millions across the country benefit from Supplemental Security Income, a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides needs-based assistance to low-income individuals of varying ages and medical histories.

Unlike SSDI benefits, which require substantial work credits and payroll tax contributions, SSI benefits are funded by general taxes. Basic eligibility requirements revolve around an individual’s disabilities, income, assets, and age.

To qualify for enrollment in the SSI benefits program, an individual must have less than $2,000 in assets. Couples applying for SSI benefits must have less than $3,000 in income or resources. Additionally, applicants must be able to prove that they have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s definition of a disability and that disability has rendered them unable to hold down a job. The disability must also have either lasted for a whole year, be expected to last for another 12 months, or otherwise result in the applicant’s death. Low-income individuals who do not meet the disability requirements may also apply if they are 65 years of age or older.

In some situations, it may also be possible to receive benefits on behalf of a disabled parent, spouse, or child. For more information, please get in touch with us to schedule your case review.

Which Medical Conditions May Qualify an Individual to Receive Benefits? 

To successfully apply for Supplemental Security Income benefits, applicants must present satisfactory medical documentation that details the severity of their disabilities and their relevant medical treatment history. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of mental and physical impairments that it considers severe enough for applicants to qualify for benefits.

Examples of the types of medical conditions that could qualify an individual for SSI include the following:

• Cardiovascular disorders, including heart defects, heart disease, and serious heart attacks
• Digestive system disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease, pancreatitis, and other examples
• Immune system disorders, including HIV and AIDS, inflammatory arthritis, and lupus
• Musculoskeletal disorders, including spinal cord injuries, degenerative disorders, loss of limbs, and paralysis
• Neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injuries
• Respiratory disorders, including severe lung ailments such as emphysema and asthma
• Severe mental health disorders, including depression, autism, anxiety, brain injuries, schizophrenia, and more

Examples of types of medical evidence that could be used to support your disability claim include blood tests, X-rays, testimonies from doctors and mental health professionals, and medical records detailing life before and after the disability.

When Should You Consider Applying for Benefits? 

The first thing you need to understand is that there is no advantage to waiting before submitting your initial application. The sooner you begin the process of applying for disability benefits, the better. We encourage all of our clients to start the application process as soon as they become disabled, because it can take several months to receive a decision from the SSA.

Before filing your application, however, we encourage you to contact our law firm for assistance. In your initial consultation, we will address your questions and concerns and determine which disability benefit program you may be eligible for. 

Upon hiring our legal services, we can assist you with submitting the initial application forms and ensure everything is handled correctly.

How Can Our Charlotte Attorneys Assist You in the Application Process? 

When applying for benefits from the SSA, it’s essential to make a good first impression. The more compelling and convincing your initial application is, the smoother the process will be from there on out. However, it’s worth noting that even in the most ideal circumstances and with the strongest applications, many disabled individuals get their initial claims denied by the SSA. Some statistics show that the Social Security Administration approves only about 30% of initial applications for those hoping to receive SSDI or SSI benefits.

As your SSI attorneys, we will assist you throughout the application proceedings and work to ensure that your application is as strong as possible from the very beginning. We provide caring legal representation with a personal approach to each case and uniquely tailor our services to meet your needs.

What Are Your Options if You Are Denied Social Security Disability Benefits? 

The SSA initially denies the vast majority of Supplemental Security Income applications. In such cases, our Charlotte disability attorneys will assist you through the appeals process to help you get the benefits you deserve and require.

The first stage of the appeals process is to request a reconsideration of the initial claim. Although different individuals will review the initial application, many claims are still denied at this stage.

The next step in the appeals process is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It can take a long time before an ALJ hearing is granted, and there is no guarantee that the judge will approve you for benefits at this stage either. From there, we would try the Appeals Council. If that does not go according to plan, we will appeal your claim in the federal court system.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation with Our Charlotte SSI Lawyers Today

Those who require monthly payments from the Social Security Administration due to low income and disabilities should consider the many advantages of retaining experienced attorneys well-versed in these practice areas. Our Charlotte disability lawyers have in-depth knowledge of Social Security law and the procedures for seeking benefits, making us highly qualified to represent your interests.

The lawyers of our firm work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not need to worry about the cost of our legal representation unless and until we secure a favorable outcome in your case. Schedule your risk-free consultation with our Social Security disability attorneys and staff today.

You can reach us at 704-385-5281.