Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) is supposed to help you access the benefits you are entitled to, but sometimes doing so can feel like it does the opposite. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies most claims, and even getting to that point can feel like a monumental task.
Fortunately, if you’re over the age of 50 and live in Youngstown, Ohio, you have a greater chance of receiving approval for your disability claim application. With the help of our Youngstown Social Security Disability lawyers, you can fight for your benefits. The Social Security Administration will consider your age when determining your eligibility, they consider it more difficult to change careers if you are over the age of 50. Berger and Green attorneys can review your disability eligibility right away with a free consultation and build a game plan for getting your claim approved.
Why Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer If You’re Over 50?
For anyone with a disability, a Youngstown Social Security Disability lawyer can assist with various aspects of the application process:
- Terminology: We are fluent in the language of Social Security and disability claims, so we can translate everything into plain English.
- Eligibility: Our lawyers can determine which SSD benefits you qualify for.
- Filing: We can file your application for you so that it gets where it needs to go on time.
- Deadlines: From the initial filing to the appeals process, we have you covered when it comes to getting things in on time.
- Evidence: Our team builds the evidence needed for a successful claim.
- Appeals: Berger and Green’s disability attorneys can fight for you in the disability appeals process, representing you in hearings.
All of this is fundamental to our representation of SSD claims, regardless of age or type of disability. When you come to us with an over 50 Social Security Disability case in Ohio, we apply the same experience and attention to detail.
We Are Familiar With Over-50 Claims for SSDI Benefits in Youngstown, OH
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes the role of age in getting work following a disability. When SSD reviers if a person is considered disabled, they evaluate their ability to still get work, but what that looks like is different for each person. Someone at age 20 might have an easier time building new skills to find another job than someone at age 60.
This is why we can explore the option of a medical-vocational allowance for your case. According to the SSA’s medical-vocational guidelines in C.F.R. Appendix 2 to Subpart P of Part 404, your situation can be weighed based on various factors. Age is one of them.
Our Ohio disability claim attorneys have handled cases for people over 50 that involve the medical-vocational guidelines and can chart a course through them.
We Know the Criteria for Older Adults
The guidelines, also called the grid rules, look at four main factors when deciding if you’re disabled. We can analyze them and determine:
- What age group you belong in
- Whether your educational background will affect eligibility
- How your previous work and skills apply
- What your residual functional capacity (RFC) is
The older you are, the less education you have, and the less skilled your work history is, the more likely the SSA is to consider you disabled. This is because you won’t have skills or experience that shift as easily to a new field once you can’t work in your old one. However, don’t count yourself out if, for example, you’re 49 or have a Ph.D. Our lawyers can evaluate your individual situation.
A medical professional usually determines your RFC and checks your ability to do certain types of work, from sedentary to heavy labor. These assessments also take place for people who don’t have a condition in the SSA’s Blue Book. The goal is to see if you can only work at certain jobs or if you have more options. We can go over what an RFC exam is like when we discuss your case.
We Help Youngstown, OH, Disability Clients Who Want to Appeal Denied Claims
Although not all claims are denied initially, the SSA does deny a significant amount—67 percent in 2020, according to the Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program.
Our Youngstown over 50 SSD lawyers won’t panic at a claim denial. Instead, we can go over the reasons for your denial and make sure you file an appeal before the 60-day deadline. We can then work through the various stages, working our way up through them if necessary:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing
- Appeals Council review
- Federal Court lawsuit
We’re with you at every step.
We Can Work on Your Ohio Social Security Disability Case at No Upfront Cost
If you’re seeking SSD benefits, we understand that you are going through a difficult time, physically, mentally and possibly financially. We don’t want to add to this, so when you hire Berger and Green, you don’t pay us attorney costs. We only receive payment when we obtain your SSD benefits. Our initial consultation is also free, so you can get information without worrying about any obligations.
40+ years of experience from strong, knowledgeable, compassionate attorneys.
Start A Free EvaluationWhat Social Security Disability Benefits Can an Over-50 Adult Get?
Part of determining if you qualify for Social Security Disability in Ohio is determining which programs are right for you. There are two options:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – Benefits provided to those with disabilities who have worked enough and paid into Social Security
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Monthly payments provided to those with disabilities who have low household income.
You can receive one, the other, or both, depending on your circumstances. They are, however, separate programs, so they have separate applications. When wer eview your case and condition, we can identify if one or both are right for you.
What Conditions Qualify for SSD?
We can compare your condition to the SSA’s Blue Book to determine if it’s listed as a disability. The listing of impairments is extensive, citing everything from leukemia to asthma to heart disease.
You aren’t out of luck if the Blue Book doesn’t list your condition. As we mentioned, your RFC assessment can also help determine if the SSA considers you disabled. Never assume you are out of options. Talk to our over 50 SSDI/SSI attorneys about your Youngstown case first.
We know you’re hurting. We can help. Free case evaluations, home and hospital visits.
Contact Us Now For HelpGet Clarity and Compassion From Our Over 50 Youngstown Social Security Disability Lawyers
You’re dealing with a lot of information and going through the SSA’s application process requires dealing with even more. You don’t have to struggle alone. Contact Berger and Green today for support and guidance from our Social Security Disability lawyers for your over-50 claim in Youngstown. We know this system, we know your options, and we can help.