Social Security Disability Lawyers in Orlando, Florida
You may qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits if you suffer from a serious medical condition that keeps you out of work. At Farah & Farah, our Orlando Social Security Disability attorneys have been helping clients get the disability benefits they need since 1979. Let Team Farah go to work for you.
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can help offset the financial strains you experience after a life-changing injury. However, getting SSDI benefits can be challenging since the claims process is detailed and complicated. A single mistake can derail your claim and delay or prevent a much-needed award of benefits. The Orlando Social Security Disability lawyers at Farah & Farah can help.
Farah & Farah has been fighting for accident victims and families in Orlando for over 40 years. We’re respected and successful Florida-based trial attorneys who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of the people we represent. Our client victories testify to our work, with over $2 billion in settlements and jury awards recovered.
Make the most of your claim for SSDI benefits by calling our Orlando, Florida, law office at (407) 329-5054. Your first consultation is free, so reach out to get started today.
Why Farah & Farah Is the Right Choice To Help You Get SSDI Benefits
Make the SSDI claims process easier by enlisting the help of an Orlando personal injury attorney. Set yourself up for the best possible outcome by hiring Farah & Farah to take charge of your claim for benefits.
Here’s why Farah & Farah has been a trusted advocate for injured workers and families in Florida for more than four decades:
- We prioritize honesty, transparency, and a client-centric approach to litigation.
- Hiring our SSDI attorneys in Orlando comes at absolutely no cost unless we win your case.
- Our results are no accident, with over $2 billion (and counting) recovered on behalf of deserving clients like you.
- We have the financial resources and legal experience needed to take on the most powerful adversaries you will face, including the Social Security Administration.
- We'll utilize the strengths, background, and expertise of our entire team to ensure you have the best representation possible.
- Community involvement helps us embrace our homegrown roots.
Our passion for our clients is unmatched, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Hundreds of reviews and testimonials detail our clients’ positive experiences working with our award-winning disability lawyers.
Now we’re ready to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your claim for Social Security Disability benefits. Contact our law office in Orlando, Florida, to schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation.
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Social Security Benefits Available in Florida
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is a federal government agency that oversees two benefits programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
Both of these benefits programs are wage-based. When you pay into the Social Security system, your taxes fund the programs. If you reach retirement age or become disabled, you can potentially qualify for SSI or SSDI benefits.
Supplemental Security Income
SSI is a monthly benefit program that helps to provide financial assistance for elderly and disabled Americans.
You may qualify for SSI benefits if you are 65 or older and have limited income and assets. You may also qualify for SSI benefits if you are under 18 and have been diagnosed with a debilitating physical or mental condition that significantly impairs your ability to work for over 12 months or is expected to result in death.
SSI benefits are based on your contributions to the Social Security system. The more you pay in, the higher your potential benefits can be when you retire.
Social Security Disability Insurance
SSDI is a program that provides wage-replacement benefits to workers who suffer from a serious disability.
You may qualify for SSDI benefits if:
- You are a seriously disabled adult who has contributed to the Social Security system through federal income taxes;
- You are a Disabled Adult Child (DAC) over the age of 18 who suffered a disability before the age of 22; or
- You are the surviving spouse (or ex-spouse) of a deceased worker and have developed a disability within 7 years of their death.
Like SSI benefits, SSDI benefits are based on you, your parent’s, or your spouse’s contribution to the Social Security system. Benefits are only payable if you, your parent, or your spouse have paid into Social Security through wages or self-employment income.
Our firm wins more than the national average in recovering social security benefits for clients that were initially denied.
How Do I Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
When you file an application for SSDI benefits, the following factors will be considered,
Disability
You must have been diagnosed with a serious debilitating medical condition to qualify for SSDI benefits. A serious condition is so severe that it prevents you from performing basic work activities for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death. The SSA has a list of conditions that are generally recognized as disabilities under SSDI.
Examples of qualifying disabilities include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Amputation
- Blindness
- Burns
- Cerebral palsy
- Cystic fibrosis
- Dermatitis
- Epilepsy
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Major depressive disorder
- Multiple sclerosis
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinsonian syndrome
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord disorders
You may also be considered to have a qualifying disability if you’ve recently received a major organ transplant.
Your disability does not have to be listed by the SSA for you to qualify for SSDI benefits. However, you will face additional hurdles if your condition isn’t listed. You will need to provide considerable evidence—including the testimony of doctors and health care professionals—to convince the SSA that your condition qualifies you for benefits.
Work Credits
You must have accumulated enough Social Security work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits. Work credits are earned based on the length of time you’ve worked and the wages you’ve earned.
In 2023, you earn one work credit for every $1,640 in wages earned. To qualify for SSDI, you generally need to have earned 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned within the past 10 years.
The work credit requirement may not apply to applicants seeking DAC (Disabled Adult Child) or Surviving Spouse benefits.
Current Work Status
It may be difficult to qualify for SSDI benefits if you are currently working. The SSA typically denies applications where the applicant earns more than $1,470 monthly. If you are capable of working—even in a different capacity—the SSA may use an outdated vocational list to decline to extend benefits.
How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Orlando, Florida?
There are three ways to apply for Social Security Disability benefits if you live in Orlando, Florida.
- Online: Visit ssa.gov and click on "Apply for Disability."
- Phone: Call The SSA between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and schedule an appointment.
- In Person: Schedule an appointment and visit your local Social Security Administration office.
Here’s what you’ll need when you apply:
- Medical records to prove you couldn't work for at least 12 months.
- Information regarding workers' compensation benefits you've received.
- Your children's names and dates of birth.
- Your spouse's name and date of birth.
- Dates of marriages and divorces.
- Bank information, including account and routing numbers.
- The Medical and Job Worksheet—Adult, if you're unable to apply online.
- Work history detailing your employment over the past 15 years.
- Wages and other income earned in the past two years.
- Your Social Security number.
The more information you have about your disability and how it has directly affected your ability to work, the better the odds of getting your claim for SSDI benefits approved.
At Farah & Farah, we’ve helped injured workers in Florida file for SSDI benefits for decades. We understand the process and procedures you will deal with and can help you ensure that you prepare the most compelling and complete claim possible. Put our experience to work for you by calling our Orlando law office at (407) 329-5054 for help today.
What Can I Do If My Claim for Social Security Disability Is Denied?
About two-thirds of all claims for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are denied. Most denials are for technical or medical reasons.
Technical denials involve decisions made before the applicant’s medical condition is reviewed, often because of mistakes on the initial application.
Medical denials occur when the SSA disagrees that your medical condition qualifies as a disability or has insufficient medical evidence to support approval.
If your claim for SSDI benefits is denied, you are not out of options. There are several ways to appeal the denial and continue to work toward getting the benefits you need. If you’ve received a denial, working with an experienced disability lawyer in Orlando can help streamline the process, handle the additional documentation required, and represent you at any hearings. We have over 40 years of experience helping people in Orlando appeal an SSDI denial.
Request for Reconsideration
The first appeal is called a Request for Reconsideration. You have 60 days from the date your initial claim is denied to make this Request online or by mailing form SSA-561-U2 to your local office in Orlando. However, if your request for a hearing is late, you can submit a good cause letter to the SSA.
If your Request for Reconsideration is approved, a medical consultant and a claims examiner from Disability Determination Services (DDS) will conduct a complete review of your case.
Administrative Law Judge Hearing
If your claim is denied after a Request for Reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in Florida. During this hearing, an ALJ will review your initial claim and any other documents, evidence, or testimony you can provide.
Appeals Council Review
If the Administrative Law Judge denies your claim for benefits, you can file an appeal with the Appeals Council. The Appeals Council typically only grants an appeal if there was a flaw in the Administrative Law Judge’s decision. If a review is granted, the Appeals Council may decide the claim itself or remand the case back to the ALJ for further consideration.
US District Court Review
If your claim is denied after an appeal to the Appeals Council, you have one final option for seeking approval. You can file a claim in the US District Court—Middle District of Florida in Orlando. This is essentially a lawsuit against the government, in which you argue that your claim for SSDI benefits has been wrongfully denied.
Appeals are complicated. They tend to require considerable experience navigating the appeals process and an in-depth understanding of the disability program. You can increase the odds of a successful result by entrusting your initial claim or appeal to the Orlando SSDI attorneys at Farah & Farah.
Farah & Farah Is Here To Help You and Your Family Recover Much-Needed SSDI Benefits
At Farah & Farah, our Orlando disability lawyers have extensive experience working with the disability claims process. We know common pitfalls to look for during your initial application and what steps to take if you face a denial.
Our team will handle all aspects of your SSDI claim, no matter where you are in the process. Here are some of the ways we’ll help you:
- Help you gather all necessary medical records and documentation to demonstrate that your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability.
- Compile work history and income records to supplement your SSDI benefits claim.
- Enlist the help of qualified and respected vocational specialists, medical professionals, and other experts as we prepare your claim for review.
- Ensure that your claim satisfies all requirements established by the SSA.
- File your claim in a timely manner to receive a prompt review and payment of benefits.
- Appeal your claim if it is initially denied.
- Represent you during all hearings before the SSA and appellate boards.
We will take care of the details so you can focus on the big picture. Contact our Orlando, Florida, law office to learn more about working with our top-rated legal team today.
Social Security Disability FAQs
While SSDI benefits may be available to help offset the burdens you experience, the process is complex. It’s common to have questions. Farah & Farah has the answers you need.
How Long Does It Take for the SSA to Decide on My Claim?
According to the Social Security Administration, it can take between three to five months to get a decision regarding a claim for SSDI benefits. Submitting an incomplete claim or failing to provide sufficient medical evidence of your disability can extend the time it takes to receive a decision.
Once your claim for SSDI is approved, you’ll have to wait five months before receiving your first check.
Can My Child Receive SSDI Benefits?
Your child may qualify for SSDI benefits if they are over 18 and were diagnosed with a qualifying disability before they turned 22. Their SSDI benefits will be based on your contribution to the Social Security system.
Can I Still Get SSDI Benefits If I Go Back to Work?
It is possible to continue receiving SSDI benefits after you return to work. The SSA provides what’s known as a Trial Work Period, which gives you nine months in a 5-year rolling period to ensure that you are capable of working without compromising your benefits. If you continue working after this period, your benefits will no longer continue.
Call Our Trusted Orlando Disability Lawyers Today
Our Orlando Social Security Disability attorneys have been reliable advocates for injured workers in Orlando since 1979. We’ve won over $2 billion in settlements, verdicts, and benefits packages for our clients. Now it’s time to help you take charge of your benefits claim.
Contact our law office in Orlando, Florida, at (407) 329-5054 to set up your free consultation.
Why Farah & Farah Is the Right Choice To Help You Get SSDI Benefits
Social Security Benefits Available in Florida
How Do I Qualify for SSDI Benefits?
How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits in Orlando, Florida?
What Can I Do If My Claim for Social Security Disability Is Denied?
Farah & Farah Is Here To Help You and Your Family Recover Much-Needed SSDI Benefits
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