Davis County Social Security Disability/SSI Lawyer

Helping Eligible Clients Apply for Disability Benefits

If you’re unable to financially support yourself due to a disability, help may be available via monthly payments from government programs. More specifically, you might be eligible for benefits from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both.

A skilled lawyer can determine if you qualify for these programs and then assist with every step of the application process, so be sure to get legal help before you get started. At Able & Strong Law, Inc., our team understands the need for individuals with disabilities to get help paying for medical care, housing costs, and more. Call our Davis County law office to learn how SSDI and SSI benefits work for qualified families.

What Is SSDI vs SSI?

SSDI and SSI are both operated by the Social Security Administration to provide regular financial benefits to people whose disabilities prevent them from being able to support themselves by working. However, these programs differ in several ways, which you should keep in mind before applying for them.

The most crucial difference is that SSDI is based on your work history, while SSI is based only on financial need. So, if you worked and paid Social Security taxes for years, you have a chance to qualify for SSDI as long as you can prove you’re too disabled to work anymore. Your spouse and children can also get benefits through SSDI based on your work history.

On the other hand, you can apply for SSI even if you’ve never worked or paid Social Security taxes, since these benefits are available to people who are disabled, blind, or 65 and older with limited income and resources. So, as long as your income and assets are low enough to qualify for SSI, and your age or disability makes it impossible for you to work, you could be entitled to payments that cover your housing, clothes, food, and other necessities.

Another difference between the two programs is the type of medical coverage recipients get. If approved for SSDI, you’ll get Medicare coverage after 24 months of disability payments in most cases. If approved for SSI, you’ll automatically qualify for medical coverage from Medicaid. You’ll also likely be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which provides assistance with food. If you have questions about the benefits you can get from SSI or SSDI, call our law office to talk to a knowledgeable lawyer.

Who Qualifies for Disability Benefits?

If you’re trying to get benefits for yourself, your spouse, or your children, knowing how the SSA determines eligibility is important. For SSDI, you must be between 18 and 65, have sufficient work credits, and have a qualifying disability. For SSI, you must have limited income and be at least 65 or diagnosed with blindness or other disabilities at any age.

The SSA considers you disabled if you have a physical or mental impairment that’s severe enough to keep you from working. Additionally, the impairment must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in your death. Some of the most common conditions that the SSA considers disabling include:

• Lupus
• Cancer
• Blindness
• Hearing loss
• Emphysema
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Bipolar disorder
• COPD
• Heart disease
• Chronic pain
• Depression
• Schizophrenia
• PTSD
• Crohn’s disease
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Congestive heart failure
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Epilepsy

These are just some of the disabling conditions that could qualify you for SSI or SSDI, so if you don’t see your health condition here, don’t worry. An experienced lawyer can tell you if you’re likely to be eligible for these benefits based on your disability, income, work history, and other factors. Contact our law firm in Davis County to discuss your options.

How Can You Apply for Benefits?

Whether you plan to apply for Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance, or both, it’s important to know that the application process can be lengthy and complicated. You must gather several documents to prove specific details, such as the following:

• Your personal information, including your name, birthdate, and Social Security number
• Your work history
• Medical records, including x-rays, lab results, and letters from your doctors proving that you have a disabling condition severe enough to keep you from working
• Tax returns, bank statements, and other proof of the income and resources you have access to

In general, you need to gather documents to show that your age, disability, work history, and financial situation are within the eligibility guidelines for monthly payments from SSI or SSDI. As you prepare for this process, note that you can apply online for SSDI. You can also apply online for SSI if you’re an adult with a disability. However, if you’re applying based on being 65 or over or need benefits for your children, you’ll need to apply by phone or in person at a Social Security office.

Why Should You Hire a Social Security Disability/SSI Lawyer in Davis County?

It can take months to hear back from the SSA, and most applications are rejected on the first try. This is why it’s essential to send all the required paperwork the first time you apply for the best chances of approval. Of course, it can be hard to remember all the details of the application process when you’re dealing with health issues, bills, and life in general. That’s why it’s recommended that you hire an attorney with experience helping clients apply for Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance.

A skilled lawyer who has helped numerous clients apply for benefits will ensure your application is complete and accurate, so feel free to contact Able & Strong Law, Inc. for the legal services you need to access SSA benefits. If you’re ready to schedule a consultation with a caring lawyer in Davis County, call 385-438-8801.