Social Security Disability
Compassionate Social Security Disability Lawyers Serving West Palm Beach And Port St. Lucie
No one should spend the better part of his or her life working hard and paying into the system only to see Social Security Disability benefits denied. If you are suffering from an injury or medical condition that has (or will) prevent you from working, contact the Florida Social Security Disability attorneys at Thompson & Thomas, P.A., today.
Filing For Social Security Disability Insurance
To receive Social Security Disability benefits, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a physical or psychological impairment preventing you from maintaining substantial, gainful employment. Your disability must last or be expected to last continuously for 12 months or longer. You must produce objective medical evidence of your impairment to substantiate your impairment and disability.
Mental And Physical Disabilities
When evaluating a physical or mental disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will determine whether you can satisfactorily perform medium, light or sedentary work by looking at your residual functional capacity in light of your age, education, transferable skills and physical or psychological limitations.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is funded through payroll taxes, and those receiving benefits are considered “insured” due to the fact that they’ve worked for many years and have made countless contributions to the Social Security trust fund. SSDI recipients must be younger than 65 and, after having received benefits for at least two years, those who qualify will become eligible for Medicare.
Appealing An SSDI Decision
If you were denied initially on your Social Security Disability benefit claim, you have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. If your request for reconsideration is denied, you have 60 days to file a request for hearing. It is highly recommended that you keep fighting and request a hearing. Most people awarded benefits have to go through a hearing to win them. The SSDI hearing offers you the best chance of being awarded benefits. Filing a new application may be costly as you cannot be awarded back benefits more than a year prior to your application date. Regardless of what you decide to do, avoid missing a deadline and/or starting over from scratch. Speaking with one of our experienced SSD attorneys is your best bet at securing the future for which you’ve devoted your life’s work.
Social Security Insurance (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program based on the recipient’s income and assets. Unlike SSDI, SSI is not funded by FICA taxes and is instead considered a “means-tested program” — i.e., benefits have nothing to do with work history. To satisfy SSI requirements, a recipient must meet the Social Security criteria for disability and possess assets valued at no more than $2,000. Floridians eligible for SSI can also receive Medicaid benefits.
Contact Us Today To Get Started
After spending a lifetime working and paying into the system, too many Floridians find themselves neglected and rejected when applying for Social Security Disability benefits. At Thompson & Thomas, P.A., we will work tirelessly by your side in obtaining the outcome you deserve.