Tallahassee Social Security Disability Lawyer
Applying for Social Security Disability is a complex process. Being denied benefits doesn’t mean you’re ineligible. The Social Security Administration initially denies most applications, often for technical reasons. Our experienced Tallahassee Social Security Disability lawyers are dedicated to helping those who need it most. We can help you get approved the first time or appeal a denial. Call (850) 446-2725 today, and let us go to work for you.
Nothing is more frustrating than being denied the Social Security benefits you need and deserve. If your Social Security Disability application has been rejected, you’re not alone. The Social Security Administration’s data shows that it only approved about 25.1 percent of claims in 2022, and the approval rate has decreased steadily since 1999. Most denials are for technical reasons, such as problems with the application.
Even if your claim was denied for a medical reason, small adjustments to your application could turn it around. We’ve been helping people get approved for Social Security Disability since 1979, and experience makes all the difference. Contact us today for a free consultation and put our experience to work for you.
Why Trust Our Social Security Disability Attorneys in Tallahassee?
A knowledgeable Tallahassee Social Security Disability Attorney can handle every step of your application or appeal, including the following:
- Determine whether you’re eligible.
- Complete and submit your initial application.
- Submit an appeal.
- Represent you at an appeal hearing.
- Collect medical evidence.
- Communicate with the Social Security Administration on your behalf.
- Advocate for you until your benefits are approved.
Our family-centered personal injury law firm in Tallahassee always puts clients first. When you hire Farah & Farah, you become family. You’ll get compassionate, personalized support from local attorneys backed by our large Florida-based law firm. We work as a team to get you approved. Our open-door policy means you’ll be able to reach us anytime.
What Our Tallahassee Clients Say About Us
Our clients regularly send us feedback about the compassionate support and outstanding results they receive from our attorneys.
“For the most part, this is my first time filing a claim. I was a little nervous about the process or the outcome, but Farah & Farah took over the case and treated me like a family, not just a person. I felt comfortable. My lawyer was open and transparent. I will recommend anyone with similar problems to Farah & Farah.”
“I would like to post a review for Erika Brenneman. She is by far the most compassionate, friendly, and outgoing attorney I've ever met in my entire life. She's like talking to a friend and makes you feel comfortable and at ease. I have retained a number of attorneys for several different reasons over the past 40 years, and I've never run across somebody so personable as Erika. She goes above and beyond. She responds extremely fast or has her assistant respond to any little question. Don't ever be afraid to ask her anything. She has an immediate answer or will find an answer to your question. I highly recommend Erika and Farah & Farah for all your needs that she can provide for you. You will never find a better attorney, in my opinion.”
Our firm wins more than the national average in recovering social security benefits for clients that were initially denied.
Types of Social Security Benefits You May Be Able to Receive
Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is available to insured workers with qualifying disabilities who have paid a sufficient amount into the system through payroll taxes. You’re generally insured if you’ve earned 40 work credits in your lifetime, including 20 during the last 10 years. The requirements are lower for workers under 24. To earn work credits, you must have paid Social Security taxes, typically through withholdings from your paycheck. You can earn up to four work credits per year.
SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a separate needs-based program for people with qualifying disabilities and limited income and assets. No work credits are required. The differences between the two programs are as follows:
| Program | Social Security Disability Insurance | Supplemental Security Income |
| Disability criteria | Qualifying medical condition | Qualifying medical condition OR blindness OR age of 65 or older |
| Financial criteria for individuals | The minimum number of work credits | Low income Resources of $2,000 or less |
| What Social Security uses to calculate benefit amounts | Earnings | Income |
| 2025 maximum monthly payment for single individuals | $4,018 | $967 |
| 2025 average monthly payment | $1,580 | $715 |
Our Social Security Disability lawyers can determine if you qualify for either program and help you apply or appeal a denial. Some of our clients have even qualified for both programs.
“Individuals can be eligible for both SSD and SSI benefits and these are called concurrent benefits. In order to qualify for both, the individual would have to have a work history as well as limited income and resources. If you have any questions regarding whether or not you're eligible to receive both SSD and SSI benefits, please contact us at Farah & Farah. We’re here to help.”
How Does the Social Security Administration Define Disability?
The Social Security Administration defines a disability as a severe medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least a year or result in your death.
The Five Questions Social Security Uses to Evaluate Your Disability
The Social Security Administration answers the following questions to determine whether your disability meets this definition:
- Are you working? The reviewer will determine whether you’re earning wages that amount to Substantial Gainful Activity. The limit changes annually. As of 2025, it’s $1,620 per month or $2,700 if you’re blind. If the answer is no, your application proceeds to question two.
- Is your condition severe? The Social Security Administration considers your condition severe if it prevents you from sitting, standing, walking, lifting, remembering, concentrating, or doing other work-related activities. If the answer is yes, your application moves to question three.
- Is your condition on the list of disabling conditions? If your condition is on the SSA’s Listing of Impairments or as severe as a listed condition, you have a qualifying disability. If not, your application moves to question four.
- Can you do the work you did previously? If not, your application proceeds to the final question.
- Can you do any other type of work? The administration considers your age, skills, education, and experience to determine whether you could adapt to other work. If not, you have a qualifying disability.
The List of Disabling Conditions
The Social Security Administration maintains a detailed Listing of Impairments, also called the Blue Book. Each listing includes a description of the symptoms necessary to qualify as a disabling condition.
Common conditions included on the Listing of Impairments include the following:
- Cancer
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Chronic heart failure
- Arthritis
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Severe and widespread burns
Having an unlisted condition doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from receiving benefits, but it requires a more thorough review of your application. We’ve helped many of our personal injury clients get approved for SSDI for disabilities related to car accidents and other claims related to negligence. However, you don’t have to be a personal injury client to get help from our Social Security Disability lawyers in Tallahassee.
Can I Work and Receive Social Security Disability at the Same Time?
Yes, the Social Security Administration allows you to attempt a trial work period, which begins when you earn more than a certain amount in a month. As of 2025, this amount is $1,160. You’ll continue receiving your full benefits no matter how much you earn. The trial work period ends once you’ve earned more than the limit for nine consecutive or non-consecutive months during a 60-month rolling period.
If you complete the trial work period, you can receive benefits during a 36-month Extended Period of Eligibility, but only during months when your earnings are lower than the Substantial Gainful Activity limit. If you’re still earning more than this amount after three years, your benefits will end. However, if you need to stop working because of your disability within five years of your benefits ending, you can request an expedited reinstatement of benefits without reapplying.
Why Was My SSDI Claim Denied?
The most common reasons the Social Security Administration denies benefits include the following:
- Application errors or technicalities
- Insufficient work credits
- Insufficient medical evidence
- A return to work
- Failure to follow prescribed treatment
- Impairment not expected to last at least 12 months
- Retain the capacity to work
- Failure to answer correspondence from the SSA
A denial isn’t final. Our knowledgeable Social Security Disability attorneys in Tallahassee can address the reasons for the denial and get you approved on appeal.
How Long Do You Have to File for Social Security Disability Benefits in Tallahassee, FL?
There’s no time limit for filing a Social Security Disability claim. However, your application date is important. You might be entitled to retroactive benefits if your disability began before your application date. However, the SSA limits retroactive benefits to 12 months. Thus, there is no advantage to waiting to apply for benefits. There is no upfront cost to work with our Social Security Disability lawyers, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us today.
“At Farah and Farah, we know accidents can be expensive. So when you work with us, you'll never have to pay out of pocket for our legal services. If we don't win your case, you owe us nothing. It's that simple.”
Let Our Tallahassee Social Security Disability Lawyers Help with Your Benefit Application
We have a high success rate of overturning denials on appeal, and our results are no accident. With over 45 years of experience, we understand the Social Security Administration’s strict requirements for disability claims. Don’t let a technicality deprive you of your well-earned benefits.
Call (850) 446-2725 today to schedule your free consultation.
Related Reading
Why Trust Our Social Security Disability Attorneys in Tallahassee?
What Our Tallahassee Clients Say About Us
Types of Social Security Benefits You May Be Able to Receive
Can I Work and Receive Social Security Disability at the Same Time?
How Long Do You Have to File for Social Security Disability Benefits in Tallahassee, FL?
Let Our Tallahassee Social Security Disability Lawyers Help with Your Benefit Application
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