Securing Social Security disability benefits can be complex. Given that a large amount of initial claims are not approved, it’s important to have an experienced disability attorney by your side. Disability Advocates Group is committed to assisting disabled individuals throughout Florida to get the benefits they deserve.
Our disability attorneys understand the requirements for benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs and are recognized for their support of disabled individuals. When you reach out to us, we will invest time to grasp your situation and lead you through each stage of the disability claims procedure.
We understand the pressure of navigating both the financial and medical aspects of disability, which is why we offer our clients thoughtful representation and reliable assistance.
Getting your disability benefits can be intimidating, but we’re here to support you in whatever choices you make about your future. Most importantly, we will be there for you every step of the way.
What Is a Disability?
The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a condition that prevents an individual from performing any significant income-producing work. Moreover, the disability must be long-term, meaning it has for a minimum of 12 months.
Furthermore, the SSA has a reference of eligible ailments termed the Blue Book. Disability evaluators utilize this alongside a comprehensive collection of criteria to assess applications. The SSA also employs medical-vocational standards, taking into account the applicant’s age, educational background, and employment record to make decisions for individuals whose conditions do not fall under the strict requirements set forth in the Blue Book.
What types of disability benefits are available in Florida?
The SSA provides two distinct assistance programs — SSDI and SSI:
SSDI
This program caters to disabled individuals aged between 18 and 65 who have contributed to the Social Security system via income tax withholdings. To qualify, one must accumulate a required number of work credits, determined by the number of quarters they’ve worked annually.
SSI
This initiative targets those who are disabled, blind, or beyond 65 years of age, irrespective of their work history or contributions to the Social Security system. However, to be eligible for SSI, there are stringent financial guidelines. An applicant’s earnings and monetary assets must not surpass a certain limit.
Applying for Disability Benefits in Florida
Navigating the process of applying for disability benefits can be intricate and extended. A primary application must be directed to a local SSA, complete with relevant questionnaires and mandated health details. If the application contains mistakes, incomplete details, incorrect questionnaire responses, or lacks the necessary medical documentation, there’s a high chance the claim will be rejected. Surprisingly, almost two-thirds of first-time applications face rejection, often due to technicalities, like lacking the needed work credits or not meeting specific criteria.
A proactive approach to circumvent these challenges is to engage with the skilled disability attorneys at Disability Advocates Group. While rejections are not rare, aligning with our disability appeals lawyers enhances the possibility of your application’s acceptance.
Disability Appeals in Florida
If the SSA rejects your disability claim, they will dispatch a letter elucidating the rationale behind the refusal and highlight your entitlement to challenge the decision. A Request for Reconsideration should be submitted within 60 days of the denial communication to begin the appeals process. Should you overshoot this timeline, you might find yourself beginning the extensive appeals procedure anew.
Although a fresh set of eyes, consisting of a disability examiner and a medical advisor not part of the initial verdict, will appraise your request, a mere 20 percent of these reconsiderations are affirmed. Following this, the subsequent stage would be participating in a disability hearing.
We fervently advise having a seasoned disability attorney accompany you to your disability hearing. At Disability Advocates Group, we consistently advocate for clients at disability hearings across Florida. Our mission is to ensure that your medical documentation is up to date and that you’re thoroughly primed for the hearing.
If the ALJ decides against your claim, we may escalate your application to the Appeals Council, and if deemed necessary, lodge a formal complaint in a federal court. We don’t charge a fee for our services until you receive the benefits you deserve.
Contact Our Florida Disability Benefits Lawyer
At Disability Advocates Group, we dedicate ourselves to safeguarding the rights of those with disabilities and their close ones. Our disability attorneys bring a blend of proficiency and experience that could be pivotal between receiving benefits and facing a claim rejection. Once you choose us to represent you, your mission becomes ours, and we zealously guard your rights. We invite you to reach out to our office for a complimentary consultation.