Social Security Disability is a program funded and administered by the federal government through the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Social Security distributes disability benefits to individuals and members of their families who have worked a sufficient length of time and also have a medical/health condition that inhibits their ability to work or is expected to do so for a minimum of 12 months, or result in death. At Lovins Law PLLC, we focus on Social Security cases for our clients and are able to provide you with effective representation to help you obtain the benefits you deserve. We service clients from our offices in Dallas and Austin.
Qualifying for SSD
In order to qualify for SSD benefits, you must:
- Have a disability according to the SSA’s definition
- Not be able to work due to having a medical condition expected to last one year minimum or end in death
- Be younger than your full retirement age
- Not have a short-term or partial disability
Particular family members of a disabled employee may be eligible to obtain benefits in accordance with the disabled employee’s work history. An experienced SSD attorney in Dallas or Austin can help you determine your qualifications to receive benefits.
How to Apply
You can apply for Social Security disability benefits by calling SSA or filing for benefits on the SSA website. SSA representatives can set up an appointment to have your application taken over the phone or at the most convenient Social Security office.
Individuals who are hard of hearing or deaf may call SSA’s TTY number during business hours.
In order to apply for SS disability online, you must complete the following steps:
- Print out and review the Adult Disability Checklist that can help you get the information needed to properly complete the application.
- Complete the Medical Release Form.
- Complete the Disability Benefit Application.
An approval of your SSD claim will certainly ease your financial burden. It is important to proceed promptly with a claim for SSD benefits and not allow unnecessary time to be lost. An initial application can take 3 to 6 months to review, and a minority of initial applications are approved – approximately 33%. So a denial on your initial application is common.
If your first application is denied, it is important to stay the course for the long-term as needed. You may even experience a second denial. Getting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) can take many months, or even one to two years in certain locales.
Contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer Near Austin or Dallas
At Lovins Law PLLC, we are here to help you obtain the Social Security disability benefits you are owed. Our attorneys understand what the SSA requires and how to build a case on your behalf that effectively meets those requirements. Give us a call today at Austin at 214.305.6700 or Dallas at 512.535.1649, or complete our contact form to arrange a free consultation.