Franklin Township
Social Security Disability Lawyer

On This Page

1. A Franklin Township Disability Benefits Attorney can Advise You on Your Claim
2. Social Security Disability Benefits Criteria
3. How You Can Qualify for SSD
4. Types of SSD Benefits That Are Available
5. How a Franklin Township, OH, Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

A Franklin Township Disability Benefits Attorney can Advise You on Your Claim

We understand how stressful and overwhelming it can be to go through the process of filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits and be denied. While your condition may prevent you from performing any kind of work, if you failed to provide all the required information about your medical history, your disability application can still be denied.

If you require the assistance of a Franklin Township, OH, Social Security Disability lawyer, we are here to help. If you are just beginning the process, we can help you apply for your benefits, ensuring that the Social Security Administration (SSA) has all the appropriate information from your medical provider. If your claim has been denied, we can review the reason for rejection and, if possible, take the necessary steps to file a disability appeal.

To find out what your options are, contact Berger and Green at (412) 661-1400 for a free consultation.

Social Security Disability Benefits Criteria

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has its own definition of what it means to be disabled. According to the SSA, you may qualify for SSD benefits if:

• Your disability prevents you from doing the work that you previously performed
• You are unable to do any other type of work
• Your disability is expected to last for a year or longer

Additionally, the SSA has a strict step-by-step process for determining whether you qualify for SSD benefits. Part of that process involves answering five questions. They are:

• Are you currently working and, if so, does your income exceed $1,260 per month?
• Are you unable to perform basic functions like sitting, standing, walking, lifting, or other common work-related activities?
• Is your condition included in the SSA’s list of medical conditions?
• Can you still do the work that you used to do before your condition appeared?
• Is there any other work that you are able to perform?

These questions allow the SSA to determine the severity of your disability. These questions are designed with the idea in mind that if you plan to be out of work for a short period of time (in the event of workers’ compensation or temporary illness) that your family would still be able to provide for themselves. SSD benefits are meant to provide compensation for people who cannot work for at least 12 months.

How You Can Qualify for SSD

There are two different ways that can prove that you qualify for SSD benefits. They are through a Listing of Impairments or Residual Functional Capacity (RFC).

Impairment Listing

The SSA has a long list of impairments that they say qualify you for receiving SSD benefits. If you can prove that you have a listed medical condition, you may be eligible. Each entry on the “Blue Book” list includes specific requirements that you must meet in order to be approved for that condition. It also specifies the evidence that is required to prove your disability. The types of evidence the SSA reviews can include medical records such as X-rays, CT scans, or laboratory results.

Residual Functional Capacity (RFC)

If your condition is not included in the list of qualifying impairments, you may still be eligible for SSD benefits. However, if this is the case, you will need to qualify under Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). This refers to the maximum amount of work you can do while living with your condition. In order to evaluate your RFC, the SSA may ask your physician to assess your ability to work, or they may set up an appointment with another doctor on your behalf.

If through any of these approaches, you are found to be unable to perform any type of work, you may qualify for SSD benefits.

Our team can help you with this process, making sure that your application is complete, accurate, and that all of the required medical records are included. For help with the process of completing your claim for SSD benefits, contact Berger and Green at (412) 661-1400.

Types of SSD Benefits That Are Available

There are two main types of SSD benefits for which applicants may qualify: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

When someone’s condition prevents them from performing any type of work before they reach full retirement age, this program provides financial security for the “insured” party as well as certain members of their family. To qualify for this insurance, you must have worked for a long period of time and spent a certain amount of years paying into your Social Security account.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

This program is intended to help those who have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI or who have never worked. Through this program, qualified applicants can receive cash payments to provide for their basic needs, such as shelter, food, and clothing.

How a Franklin Township, OH, Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Help

If you would like the assistance of a Franklin Township, OH, Social Security Disability lawyer, our team is here to help you with the process of pursuing your SSD benefits and can assist with any point in the process. We can explain the process from start to finish and evaluate whether your condition qualifies you for benefits. If you are eligible, we can help you complete your application, ensuring that everything is filled out completely and accurately and that all the required medical documentation for your condition is included.

If your claim has been denied when you should qualify, and if there is sufficient time to do so, we can file an appeal asking for reconsideration. We are here to provide you with the support you need, answering all of your questions, and taking the burden of the legal process into our hands.

To speak with a member of our team and receive a free, no-risk review of your SSD benefits claim, contact Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400.