Erie
Social Security Disability Lawyer

On This Page

1. Berger and Green Has Helped Many Clients With SSD Cases for 40+ Years
2. SSDI and SSI: Which One Do I Need?
3. What If the SSA Has Denied My Erie SSD Disability Benefits Application?
4. Call Us Today for Help With an Erie, PA, Social Security Disability Claim

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

When a serious accident, medical emergency, or other disability prevents you from being able to work in Erie, Pennsylvania, it can be hard not to lose hope. Bills can pile up, making paying your rent or mortgage harder. You may even be unable to provide food and clothing for your family. But there is good news. If you cannot work because of a disability, you could be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits.

This monetary compensation can help you provide for your family and meet household expenses. However, receiving approval for these benefits is often challenging. You don’t have to navigate the claims or appeals process alone. A Social Security Disability (SSD) lawyer from Berger and Green in Erie County can lead your case and work toward getting the benefits you deserve. We will do the stressful and tedious work on your behalf. Call us today to learn more about how you could receive funds to help you pay your bills and support your family.

Berger and Green Has Helped Many Clients With SSD Cases for 40+ Years

Our Erie Social Security Disability lawyers know what it takes to build a solid case for benefits based on a disabling condition. We offer knowledge, experience, and compassion while leading our clients’ cases. We also manage their expectations because we know how long and complex this process can be. Still, we are in it for the long haul and do everything we can to secure Social Security Disability benefits for our clients. We want to do the same for you.

We will:

• Review your disability case and advise you on your options and steps you can take
• Determine which Social Security Disability benefits program you are eligible for: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both
• Explain the difference between SSDI and SSI and the criteria for each
• Complete and file your initial application ensuring it is error-free and on time
• Reviewing your medical evidence and other documentation to support your case
• Ensuring disability officials can access your information
• Analyzing why the SSA denied your initial application 
• Filing an appeal and developing a case to defend your claim
• Representing you at any or all stages of the appeals process

We will answer your questions and concerns and update you about your case status. We are ready to discuss your Erie Social Security Disability claim now. Call us today for legal advice about your disability application now. There is no consultation fee; if we accept your case, you won’t pay any upfront fees or costs. We won’t get paid unless you start receiving benefits.  

Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for My Erie, PA, Social Security Disability Case?

People hire legal representation to handle an SSD claim to help them get through a complex process that can be overwhelming and stressful, especially for people who don’t know the law or what to expect. We encourage you to talk to us to see how our legal professional can help you.

The SSD benefits process is notoriously difficult, and most applications receive denials. One tiny mistake on your application could be the difference between qualifying for benefits or getting nothing. Working with an attorney can ensure you protect your rights and interests and go about the process the right way. 

SSDI and SSI: Which One Do I Need?

Social Security Disability benefits help people with disabilities who cannot work. They are available through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Before you apply, we must determine if you meet the definition of disability and which benefits program you can apply for.

The SSA considers a person disabled if they cannot earn income because of a severe medical condition that either lasts or is expected to last a year (12 months) or result in the person’s death. Per the SSA’s disability facts sheet, the medical condition must also keep the person from being able to do the work they have done in the past and prevent them from adjusting to take on other work.

If an applicant meets these conditions and has a qualifying impairment in the SSA’s Blue Book Listing of Impairments, they can apply for SSDI, SSI, or both if they meet the criteria for each program. You can apply online at the Social Security Administration’s website, over the phone, or in person at a social security office in Erie County, PA.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must have obtained enough work credits and paid Social Security taxes. Applicants are eligible if they have a minimum of 20 work credits, about five years of work. Our Erie Social Security Disability Insurance lawyers can review your employment history and work credits and advise you further.

Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)

Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) is available to disabled individuals with low income and limited resources. Unlike SSD, you do not need to have paid into Social Security via taxes to be eligible for this benefit. Berger and Green’s Erie Supplemental Security Income lawyers can determine if your income is under the limit and whether you meet other requirements.

 If I Am Not Working in Erie, PA, Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?

Being unable to find work does not qualify you for SSD or SSI benefits. Instead, you must be unable to work in any capacity. Those who qualify for SSI or SSD benefits fall into one or more specific categories.

When applying for these benefits, you must answer five basic questions:

• Are you currently able to work? Being unable to find a job does not mean you cannot work. If you can work, you will not qualify.
• Is your condition on the Blue Book Listing of Impairments? If your condition is on the list, you must prove it meets the listing’s criteria. However, you could still qualify for benefits, even if your condition is not on SSA’s Blue Book of impairments. Our team can determine if you meet the criteria.
• How severe is your medical condition? Even if your medical condition is on the list, you will not automatically qualify. You must also be able to prove your condition is severe enough. Typically, a condition is severe enough if it impairs your ability to complete basic work tasks, such as walking, standing, or remembering pieces of information.
• Can you do the same work you have done in the past? If you can return to your former job, you will not be eligible for benefits.
• Are you able to do work of any kind? If you can find a less physically demanding job, you may not be entitled to benefits.

What If the SSA Has Denied My Erie SSD Disability Benefits Application?

If the SSA has denied your application, do not despair. The Erie Social Security Disability attorneys at Berger and Green will lead your appeal and get you back on track.

You should contact our law office right away if you have received a denial letter from the SSA. You only have 60 days to file an appeal, and it will take time for our attorneys to learn the facts of your case and put together a winning argument for why you should receive benefits.

Our law firm may not need to complete all the steps of the appeals process; it depends on what stage you are in. The steps we could complete include the following:

1. Our attorneys can request a reconsideration of your claim. An examiner who has not reviewed your case will look at it.
2. If you are denied at the reconsideration stage, we can request an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to review it. 
3. If your claim is unsuccessful after the ALJ hearing, we can send the claim to an Appeals Council for review.
4. The last step involves filing a lawsuit in federal district court for your benefits. Our Erie Social Security Disability attorneys can litigate this matter if necessary.

 We will lead all stages of your appeals case and update you on all case developments. 

Call Us Today for Help With an Erie, PA, Social Security Disability Claim

Do not let a complicated application form or a simple mistake prevent you from getting the benefits you and your family deserve. Call our law office today for a free consultation where you can learn how our SSD attorneys in Erie, PA, can fight for your deserved benefits for a disability.

We have over 40 years of experience helping Pennsylvanians apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Do not delay. The sooner you call, the sooner we can start to help.