Florida Social Security Disability Lawyers
For many people, getting the Social Security Disability benefits they deserve can be a time consuming, frustrating process. But with the right attorneys by your side, the chances of having a favorable outcome are greatly increased.
Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a 5-step, sequential process to determine if you qualify for disability benefits. Here’s a quick overview of that process:
Step 1: Are you currently working?
First of all, the SSA will first want to know if you are still working. If you are currently working, and making more than $1,550 per month (in 2024), you are engaging in “substantial gainful activity,” and you are not disabled. If you are not currently working, or you are working but making $1,550 or less per month, the SSA will move on to step 2.
Step 2: Is your impairment “severe?”
Secondly, the disability examiner evaluating your application for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits will consider whether your impairment(s) substantially interferes with basic work-related activities, such as standing, sitting, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, and remembering simple instructions, to name a few. If your ability to engage in these basic work requirements is impacted by your condition, the SSA will move on to step 3.
Step 3: Is your condition on the SSA’s list?
Next, the disability examiner will consult the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, often referred to as the “Blue Book.” This is a list of physical and mental impairments that the SSA has compiled, along with the medical criteria for each. If your treatment records show evidence that matches the criteria listed in the Blue Book, you are considered to “meet a listing,” and you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list but is “equal in severity” to the impairments on the list, you will be considered disabled. If you do not meet or equal a listing, the SSA will move on to step 4.
Step 4: Can you do your past work?
Fourth, the SSA looks at your “past relevant work” and the physical and mental requirements it takes to do that kind of work. If your current limitations do not prevent you from returning to your previous work, you are not disabled. If you are not able to do your past relevant work because of your impairment, the SSA will move on to step 5.
Step 5: Can you do any other type of work?
Finally, the disability examiner will consider your limitations, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills you may have to determine if there is any other job that you would be able to do. If the examiner decides you could do other jobs, your claim will be denied. If the examiner decides there is no other job you would be able to do based on these criteria, you are considered disabled and will be awarded your Social Security disability benefits.
We Get
Results
Our firm wins more than the national average in recovering social security benefits for clients that were initially denied.
Getting Social Security Disability Can Be a Struggle
The unfortunate truth is the Social Security system can be a hassle to deal with and benefits can be difficult to obtain. Around 60-70% of initial applicants for Social Security Disability benefits have been turned down at the first attempt.
This is despite the fact many of those people were eligible to receive benefits at the time of their application.
Disability applications take time for approval. Even if you were rejected but later accepted on a reconsideration appeal, benefits may not be received immediately. It can be a tenuous process; with your health and time with loved ones to consider, you shouldn’t be handling this process on your own.
If you feel you haven’t been treated with respect or don’t have intimate knowledge of the Social Security system, you need a qualified lawyer to see you through. Let Farah & Farah advocate for the benefits that can provide a better future for you and your family.
Getting Help for Your Case
The Social Security Disability process is complex and can be overwhelming. An attorney can simplify the process and greatly improve the chances of your claim being approved. Your attorney will:
- Review all eligibility factors such as the type of injury or disability you have and whether you’ve worked in jobs covered by social security, among other things. If you have issues like a cardiovascular condition, respiratory illness, speech issues or serious back injuries, you should qualify for disability benefits.
- Ensure that your application is complete when submitted so that the Social Security Administration has everything needed to process the request. Believe it or not, an incomplete application is one of the biggest factors in Social Security disability claims are denied.
- Collect the necessary medical evidence. Your SSI attorney will review your medical records, gather supportive opinion statements from your healthcare providers, and collect any missing tests that may be vital in winning your case.
- File appeals on your behalf if necessary. If your case is unfairly denied, we will help you appeal the decision. We understand the process and all time limits associated with it.
- Be by your side in disability hearings. Often, disability claims must be won in a hearing. Having an attorney who has been there before and knows what an administrative judge is looking for can be a great benefit in your case.
Your case for Social Security benefits is more than paperwork and process – it’s your life. We understand how important social security benefits are and why maximizing them matter to you. We can help you prove eligibility and complete your application. If you are denied benefits when you should qualify for them, we can help you through the appeals process.
Farah & Farah Can Provide You With the Relief You Need
As you battle through your physical and mental ailments, you need all the financial help you can get to pay off hefty medical bills and get a clear picture of your future. Call Farah & Farah right away to fight for the benefits you deserve.
“I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Farah and Farah. Generally, I haven’t had the best experience with lawyers in the past. My mom had had previous experience with the firm as well, and so I decided to give it a try. I thank God I did.” -Icey E.
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