Social Security Disability Insurance

Helping You Obtain the Benefits You Deserve

Individuals who have disabilities that greatly limit or prevent their ability to work may be eligible to receive financial assistance through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), SSDI benefits provided much need support to those whose physical or mental impairments prevent them from working and earning wages. As SSDI benefits are often essential to those in need, ensuring that you have qualified and experienced support by your side should be your top priority.

At Peter Angelos Law, our Maryland Social Security Disability lawyers have spent years guiding clients through the SSDI application process. Filled with numerous eligibility requirements, dense and technical paperwork and a number of confusing procedures, many applicants find the process severely overwhelming. In fact, the SSA reports that denial rates for SSDI claims are upwards of 80%, a fact that should prompt all applicants to seek the knowledgeable assistance our firm can provide.

SSDI Eligibility

Because SSDI is tax funded program, it is surrounded by dense federal legislation. This means that the SSA is held to strict requirements about who they accept to receive SSDI benefits. Generally, the two most important eligibility requirements concern the nature of your disability and your work credit history.

Disability
The first and most important thing all applicants should understand is that SSDI benefits are paid only to those with total disability, meaning that no benefits are payable for partial or short term disability. The SSA uses a definition of “disability” that relates solely to a person’s ability to work. According the SSA, you will be considered disabled if:

• You cannot perform the work you did before your injury
• The SSA determines that you cannot adjust to other work; and
• Your disability has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least one year or until death

In order to support your claim and increase your chances for approval, you must supply substantial evidence and proof of your disability, including all relevant medical information and official medical records.

Work History
As SSDI is a program funded by the Social Security tax fund, all eligible recipients must show proof that they paid a sufficient amount of taxes through their work wages for a certain amount of time. Applicants must demonstrate a reasonably consistent work history prior to their disability, and must provide tax information. The work credit history is often a difficult component of the eligibility process, which is why our attorneys devote our efforts to helping you compile all the necessary supporting evidence.

SSDI Benefits

When approved, your monthly SSDI benefits will be based on your average earnings covered by Social Security, meaning your lifetime income on which you paid taxes. Benefit payments can vary depending on a number of personal circumstances, including age, income, and taxes paid. Other benefits or income you may receive can also impact the SSDI benefits you are awarded. Additionally, certain family members may be eligible to qualify for benefits. These relatives can include:

• Spouse, 62 years of age or older
• Spouse, any age if they are caring for your child who is younger than 16 or disabled
• Unmarried children, including adopted children, stepchildren, and grandchildren under age 18
• Unmarried children, 18 years of age or older and if they have a disability before age 22

Benefits for family members can also fluctuate considerably depending on a number of circumstances, in particular your work credit history. Whatever the unique circumstances of your situation may be, our Maryland personal injury attorneys always make it a point to handle your case on a personal level and to devote the individualized attention and assistance you deserve.

Contact Peter Angelos Law to Discuss Your SSDI

The SSDI process is filled with complexities, frustrations and numerous barriers. At times when you may be depending on the success of your claim and the benefits SSDI can provide you and your family, it is of the utmost importance that you work with experienced attorneys who truly care about helping you be successful.

At Peter Angelos Law, you can be confident that your SSDI case, whether it is a first time application or an appeal, will be in caring and capable hands. If you would like more information about the SSDI process, or if you would like to discuss your personal case and learn more about the ways in which we can help, contact us today.