social-security

Hanover Social Security Disability Lawyers, York County, PA

Helping with delayed or denied SSDI and SSI claims in South Central Pennsylvania

 

If you have a disability that prevents you from working, your first concern is likely, how will I pay the bills without an income? Fortunately, the federal government has two programs that help people who have a disease, illness, or injury obtain financial assistance.

The first program is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which provides assistance to people who can’t work for at least one year due to a medical disability or condition expected to end in death. The second program is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides assistance to low-income or no-income people who can’t work due to a disability. SSDI requires that the applicant have a qualifying work history. SSI requires that the applicant show that his/her income is below the current income level tests.

At KBG Injury Law, we can explain the qualifying requirements, and work with your doctors to properly document your disability for the best chances of success. Many SSDI and SSI cases are won or lost based on having the precise medical records and evidence that meets the Social Security Administration’s tough standards. We explain how the application process and appeal process works. If your application for benefits was denied, don’t give up – talk to our Hanover Social Security Disability attorneys today.

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What are the eligibility requirements for SSDI and SSI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must meet the following two requirements:

  • Work credits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires that applicants have worked 40 quarters during their lifetime, or 20 quarters during the last 10 years. Working a quarter (of a year) means that you earned a sufficient sum during a 13-week period. In 2022, a worker must earn $1,510 to earn a credit for one quarter. Eligibility requirements may be less strict for younger workers.
  • A work disability. A work disability doesn’t necessarily mean that you were injured while working. It means that you can’t work in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of your current medical condition for at least one year. You must not be able to do your current job or a new job. You can also qualify if you have a terminal condition, such as cancer.

To qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), applicants must pass a financial means test. SSI is generally for people who don’t have enough work credits for SSDI. SSI may be available to children and senior citizens as well as adults. The 2022 means test for SSI is $2,200 for one person and $3,000 for a couple. If you have assets over the means test limit, you will not qualify. The SSI means test does not include your home, one vehicle, burial plots, personal items such as clothing, and other assets.

Our Hanover disability lawyers can help verify your work credits, and explain what assets are included and excluded from the means test.

How do I prove I have a qualifying disability for Social Security benefits?

The SSA has very specific requirements you must meet to prove you have a disability. These requirements include the following:

  • You are not eligible if you earn over a certain amount of money. In 2022, applicants who earn $1,350 or more in a month are not eligible for disability benefits. If you are blind, this raises to $2,260.
  • Your medical condition must limit your ability to perform your job for 12 months or more. If you have a broken leg that is expected to heal in a few months, you will not qualify. Many other conditions, however, do reasonably prevent applicants from working for 12 months or more.
  • You must show you can’t do your former job or other work based on your medical condition.

The strongest way to qualify for SSDI or SSI is to show that your medical condition is on the Social Security’s approved “list of impairments.” This list includes 14 different categories of specific medical conditions. If your medical condition is not on the list of impairments, then you can still qualify for SSDI by showing that your medical condition is comparable to one of the medical conditions on the list.

Our Hanover SSDI and SSI lawyers are skilled at working with your doctors to help show your medical condition is either on the list of impairments or is comparable to an approved impairment. We also work with your doctors and independent health professionals, who assess your inability (or ability) to work by using:

  • A residual functional capacity test. This test examines your ability to perform certain work tasks such as how long you can stand, how long you can sit, what weights you can lift or pull, and other tasks.
  • A medical vocational analysis. This test examines whether there is work in your geographical area that you can perform according to the results of your residual capacity test.

The SSA will periodically review your medical status to confirm your condition hasn’t changed and that you can’t work for at least another year.

What is Social Security’s list of impairments?

As we mentioned, most SSDI and SSI cases begin by working to show your medical condition is on SSA’s list of impairments.  Our Hanover disability lawyers understand the criteria for each impairment. We work with your doctors to ensure they can verify your medical disorder based on specific diagnostic tests and specific findings.

The 14 impairment categories are:

1. Musculoskeletal system disorders

2. Sense and speech disorders

3. Respiratory conditions

4. Heart disorders

5. Disorders the digestive system

6. Genitourinary disorders

7. Hematological disorders

8. Skin disorders

9. Endocrine disorders

10. Birth disorders

11. Neurological disorders

12. Mental disorders

13. Malignant neoplastic diseases such as cancer

14. Immune system disorders

Each impairment category has a sub-list of medical conditions. We’ll review whether your medical condition is on this list.

How do I apply for SSDI or SSI in Hanover?

Applicants can file for SSDI in three different ways:

  • By completing an online application. Online applications can only be used for SSDI applications, however, and not SSI.
  • By calling SSA’s toll-free telephone number (1-800-772-1213) or for deaf or hard-of-hearing TTY 1-800-325-0778.
  • By going to their local Social Security office by scheduling an appointment.

Our Hanover SSDI and SSI lawyers can help applicants prepare and process their applications.

Can my claim for SSDI or SSI be expedited?

The Social Security Administration does permit some applicants to go the head of the line to have their applications approved quickly. The SSA will consider:

  • Compassionate Allowances. If your medical order is on a pre-approved list, then you should qualify for benefits. For example, applicants with pancreatic cancer or acute leukemia should qualify for benefits quickly once their doctors confirm their medical condition.
  • Quick Disability Determinations. SSA “uses sophisticated computer screening to identify cases with a high probability of allowance.”

What can I do if my Hanover SSDI or SSI claim is denied?

Our Hanover disability lawyers help applicants at each phase of the claims process. Normally, SSA works with just the applicants at the initial stage. If your application is denied (and the majority of applications are), then our experienced disability lawyers help you file a reconsideration request. If the reconsideration is denied, then we actively participate in your appeal and request for a formal hearing.

Much of the work we do at the appeal and hearing is helping ensure you have the correct medical records and reports. At the hearing, we help you show the administrative law judge just how disabling your medical condition is, in addition to providing the essential medical information and proof the court is looking for.

Please understand that the SSA can take months to review your initial application. It will take more time to schedule your hearing unless you are eligible to use one of the expedited methods we discussed above. Don’t worry – there are several steps to appeal if the administrative law judge denies your claim. Our Hanover SSDI and SSI attorneys have a strong record of success helping disabled Hanover residents obtain the government benefits they deserve.

Is there a Social Security Disability benefits attorney near me?

You can find KBG Injury Law at 250 York Street in Hanover, PA, just a few minutes away from York County district courts. We are conveniently located near Pennsylvania Routes 94, 116, 194, and 216. We also have locations throughout South Central Pennsylvania.

Speak with a respected Hanover SSDI and SSI lawyer today

At KBG Injury Law, our Hanover disability lawyers understand you need income. We understand that having a disability means living with a lot of pain. You have medical bills on top of your daily living expenses. For 30 years, we’ve been fighting for people with injuries, disabilities, and medical conditions. We’ll work with you and your doctors to present as strong a case as possible. To discuss your claim, call us at 717-848-3838 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We have offices in Hanover, York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, and Gettysburg. We fight for SSDI and SSI Applicants throughout South Central Pennsylvania.