Whether you have worked or not, you may be eligible for Social Security benefits, if you are disabled.

Many people ask, how can I get disability benefits if I am unable to work due to my injury or illness?  Below, you will find a brief description of the programs and the minimum requirements:

SSDI (Social Security Disability):  If you have worked and earned work credits in the past, you may have enough to be qualified for SSD.  You cannot be earning more than $1,000.00 per month and your disability must be expected to last for a period of at least twelve (12) months or longer.  You still need to have a severe impairment to qualify, which is what Social Security will determine.

-Your benefits are based on what you paid into Social Security.
-You are eligible for past due benefits prior to your application date, although you have to be disabled for five (5) months before benefits begin.
-You are eligible for Medicare twenty-four (24) months after your onset date.
-It doesn’t matter what your spouse earns or if you have assets.
-Certain benefits, such as VA, workers’ compensation, unemployment, and private disability pensions do NOT affect your ability to obtain SSDI.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income):  If you have less than $2,000.00 in resources, own only one car and/or home, and do not earn more than $1000.00 per month, you may qualify for SSI.   Again, you must have a have a severe impairment to qualify lasting or expected to last at least twelve (12) months.

-In 2011, the maximum monthly benefit is $674.00.
-While you do not get any past due benefits prior to your application date, you can get monthly benefits starting with the first full month after your application date.
-You will be eligible for Medicaid.
-Any resource/income you have over the allowable amount can decrease the monthly benefit you can get.  Social Security will make that determination.
-Your spouse’s income can also be considered a resource and that amount can vary depending on how many people live in the house or how many children you have.

Now that you know the different programs, how do you apply?

-You can complete the online disability application at www.ssa.gov and also go into your local Social Security office to ensure you also apply for SSI, as some people do qualify for both programs.

-Or, you can hire an attorney who can help you with the process and ensure that Social Security is evaluating your case properly.  Everyone’s case is different and many people are denied, once, twice or three times because the medical evidence that Social Security looks at does not support your claim of inability to work substantially, based on a severe impairment.

What can The Broderick Law Firm, P.L. do for me that I can’t do on my own?

-We will advocate for you, our client.

-We will look after your case.

-We will make sure that Social Security has the evidence it needs to make a decision.

-If you don’t have a way to get medical care, we will provide you a list of places that may be able to help you.

You will not just be a social security number in our office.  You are a person with real issues.  You will talk to live people who know about your case and not just leave a message to have your call go unreturned by our staff.   Most importantly, when you hire The Broderick Law Firm, P.L., know that the attorney is reviewing your file and monitoring your case throughout the process.

 -We will walk you through the initial process of the online disability report, even completing it for you with your on the phone with our staff, so that the answers given are complete and nothing is left out.  We will schedule you for a phone interview on in person appointment for your SSI application, at your local SS office.  We will gather your medical records, remind you of medical appointments that Social Security sets for you to attend, and we will obtain status from Social Security to see whether a decision has been made.

-If you are denied, we will complete your online appeal with you on the phone or do it by hand, if necessary.  Should you have missed your deadline, in certain cases we can ask for the acceptance of a late filing for good cause, enabling your prior application to continue, instead of your having to start over (this is a case by case basis made by the local office).

-We will help you complete many questionnaires you will receive in the mail from Social Security such as:  Supplemental Pain, Cardiac, Function Reports, 3^rd Party Contact lists, Work History Reports, and other reports.

-We will talk with the local Social Security office and the medical adjudicators on your file and point out important limitations you have or medical records, or even diagnoses, that they may have missed.

-You will be able to speak to the attorney handling your case and know that if you need to go to a hearing you will be prepared for the hearing, the experience, and that an attorney will be by your side, representing you throughout the process.

We take cases at all stages – even if you have not applied, yet!!

While anyone can certainly apply for benefits on their own, let The Broderick Law Firm, P.L. help you navigate the system with you and for you, to make this difficult time just a little bit easier.

CALL 877-372-8361 NOW for a FREE consultation regarding your Social Security claim.

We come to you!!

We make it easier for you to get on with your life.