Effective Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer in Spearman, Texas
How the Social Security Administration defines disability
In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, it is not enough for your doctor to declare you disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines a disability as an inability to engage in any substantial gainful employment activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that:
- Can be expected to result in death, or
- Has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of 12 months or more.
Some conditions that may qualify as disabilities include:
- Total blindness
- Total deafness
- HIV infection
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Severe mental retardation
- Birth weight below two pounds, 10 ounces
What effect your earnings history has on SSA program eligibility
Your employment history and your ability to work affect your eligibility for either of the following government-sponsored disability benefit programs:
- Social Security Disability Income (SSDI): An applicant who is seeking SSDI disability benefits is required to have contributed to the Social Security fund through employment-based taxes long enough to be considered fully insured and recently enough to have incurred disability insured taxes.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): The government grants SSI benefits to adults with limited income or resources and children based in part on household income. The SSI program involves work incentives and exclusions that are beneficial to lower-income households.
How to handle a Social Security claim delay or denial
Do not give up if you were turned down for Social Security disability benefits or if your claim has been delayed. Many claims are denied based on a technicality — because you did not state your disability correctly or failed to provide an adequate medical record to support your claim. The Law Office of Cecil R. Biggers is familiar with what it takes to secure benefits, and we can help you with refiling your claim or filing for reconsideration.
Call today. We can help.
A lawyer familiar with the Social Security disability claims process can be invaluable to you as you file for disability benefits. The Law Office of Cecil R. Biggers can explain the claims process and help you secure your benefits. Call the Law Office of Cecil R. Biggers locally at 806-659-5531 or toll-free at 888-982-0212, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
