If you are unable to work because of injury, illness, or a combination of physical and/or mental health conditions for at least one year or if a condition is expected to result in death, you should contact us to consider pursuing a a claim for Social Security disability benefits.  You may be eligible for Title II Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI / SSDIB) benefits if you are disabled and you have worked and paid into the Social Security system for the minimum amount of time required to qualify.  Even if you have not worked long enough to qualify for Title II SSDI / SSDIB benefits, you may be able to qualify for Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits if you are disabled and your income and resources fall below the limits that the Social Security Act establishes for eligibility for SSI benefits.

*  DO NOT DELAY: You may lose your right to receive Social Security disability benefits if you do not file a timely application for benefits.

* GET MEDICAL TREATMENT: The Social Security Administration requires that all applicants for disability benefits seek, obtain, and comply with medical treatment for their disabling conditions. Unless you have a justifiable reason for not seeking, obtaining, and/or complying with medical treatment, the Social Security Administration is highly likely to maintain its denial of your claim for disability benefits.

*  BE PERSISTENT: You should expect that your initial application for Social Security disability benefits will be denied.  Approximately 70% of ALL initial applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied. However, you should not give up or be discouraged by the denial of your initial application for benefits.  A major reason to hire an experienced Social Security disability lawyer is so your lawyer can handle the appeals process after the Social Security Administration denies your initial application for benefits.  Almost every initial application must be appealed after initial denial, and the Social Security Administration maintains strict rules for the appeal of denials of claims for disability benefits.  Failure to comply with these rules is highly likely to result in the dismissal of your claim for benefits.

* APPEAL YOUR DENIAL: If your claim for Social Security disability benefits has been denied, call us without delay. We will help you complete your appeal to the next level of the administrative disability benefits review process.

It is possible to apply for Title II SSDI / SSDIB benefits on line at the Social Security Administration’s website and also to request the next level of administrative review of a denial of either Title II SSDI / SSDIB and/or Title XVI SSI benefits at the Social Security Administration’s Disability Appeal website.   However it is preferable, unless you are very organized, to come to our office and let one of our experienced professionals help you complete an on-line application for benefits or to submit a request for the next level of administrative review because incomplete or inaccurate information may harm your claim later or require that you start the application process all over again.