San Diego Social Security Benefits Lawyers

Social Security is a form of social insurance that protects individuals and families from financial hardships. Situations that affect a person’s ability to provide for himself and his family include retirement, death, disability, or any other physical or mental impairment. To ensure that money is available for beneficiaries, a claim must be made and specific criteria must be met.

The San Diego social security disability attorneys take on Social Security claims every year. We have been representing Social Security clients for several years and we can help you and your friends and family if they ever suffer from a physical or mental impairment.

Filing for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Can be a Daunting Process, but the San Diego Lawyers Will Focus on Getting You the Benefits You Need and Deserve.

Every year, thousands of San Diego residents become eligible for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.  However, most are initially denied their SSD benefits when they apply to the Social Security Administration.  The experienced and skilled SSD/SSI appeals attorneys can help if you are denied your Social Security Disability benefits.

What is Social Security?

Social Security is a form of social insurance that protects individuals and families from financial hardships. Situations that affect a person’s ability to provide for himself and his family include retirement, death, disability, or any other physical or mental impairment.     

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers several types of benefits:    

• Retirement Benefits 
• Survivor’s Benefits
• Disability Insurance Benefits
• Supplemental Security income

There are other financial and health care benefits that are offered through Social Security.  However, these are some of the most relevant ones.    

Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits are available to those who have paid enough Social Security taxes (through income withholding) to be fully-insured for retirement benefits.  You are eligible to receive full retirement benefits when you have reached full retirement age.  The full retirement age used to be 65, but is now rising.  

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are available to direct relatives of deceased workers if those deceased workers have paid enough money into Social Security to be insured for retirement and survivors’ benefits.            

Disability Insurance Benefits

Disability Insurance was designed to provide disabled workers with income.  

How do prove that you are disabled?

 

• You have a physical or mental impairment that can be shown through medical evidence.
• You are unable to do ANY sort of work, not just your own past work, on a full-time basis.  (There are limited exceptions to this rule, depending on your age, education, and transferable skills.)
• You are unable to work for 12 consecutive months or more at a level of substantial gainful activity (In 2008, this means you are unable to earn more than $940 per month).

Unlike an auto accident or a worker’s compensation claim, a Social Security Disability benefits claim includes a person’s entire life history, meaning it will take into account any physical injury you have sustained, but also any unrelated, pre-existing medical conditions, education level, skill level, and psychiatric conditions.   

What is Considered a Disabling Condition for Social Security Benefits?

• Arthritis
• Bipolar Disorder
• Central Nervous System Vascular Accident (or stroke)
• Congestive Heart Failure
• Disorders of the Spine
• Epilepsy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Peripheral Arterial Disease

This is not an exhaustive list, but if you suffer from any of these symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention immediately and consult with a San Diego Social Security attorney. And remember, you can receive disability benefits even though you have been able to return to work.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program designed to provide financial assistance to those who are ineligible for Disability Insurance Benefits or who are only eligible for a small amount, but who are nevertheless unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment, and who have very limited income and financial resources.   In order to be eligible to receive these benefits, your household income must be very low and the value of your total assets (not including your house or car) must not exceed $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. You must also prove that you are disabled.    

Find an Experienced Social Security Attorney

Choosing a Social Security attorney is no easy task.  Many attorneys claim to be Social Security lawyers, but they don’t have the experience that we have.  Our lawyers are experienced and have successfully prosecuted the interests of our clients before the Social Security Administration appeals hearing.  If you or a loved one has been denied your Social Security benefits, contact the Disability Help Group for a free consultation.…

San Diego Supplemental Security Income Lawyers

Every year, hundreds of mentally or physically impaired San Diego County residents reach a point in their lives when they can no longer provide for themselves or their families. Though they may not have paid enough Social Security taxes through income withholding, their household income meets the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limits. However, out of the 10 that apply, approximately seven will initially get rejected.

Fortunately, the experienced Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lawyers can make this process go quickly and smoothly. Our attorneys are work for your best interest and will get you the benefits you need and deserve. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

Filing for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Can be a Long and Drawn-Out Process, but the San Diego Lawyers Will Focus on Getting You the Benefits You Need and Deserve.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program, funded by general tax revenues, that provides those who have little to no income, and who are blind, elderly, or disabled to receive monthly benefit payments from the Social Security Administration to cover basic necessities such as food, shelter, and clothing.

What makes you eligible for SSI?

• Your household income meets the SSI income limits. Your household income and value of your assets (not including your house and car) is less than $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. 
• You are unable to work for 12 consecutive months or more at a level of substantial gainful activity and cannot earn more than $1,000 a month. 
• You have a physical or mental impairment that can be shown through medical evidence.
• You are unable to do ANY sort of work, not just your own past work, on a full-time basis. (There are limited exceptions to this rule, depending on your age, education, and transferable skills.)

You can also use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website to find out if you are eligible.

NOTE: SSI is also available to children with medical conditions that the SSA consider disabilities. To determine the monthly payments, the bureau looks at the parents’ income. 

 

How Do I Apply For Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

To apply for SSI benefits, contact your local Social Security Office and state that you wish to file an application.  There are three ways that you can do this:

• File for disability online,
• Call the Social Security office to set up an appointment to apply
• Walk into the Social Security office without an appointment

You should apply for SSI AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you wait too long, you may lose your benefits. Also, the SSA does not pay for periods earlier than your application effective date. The process of filing can take several months.

How Much Will I Receive?

The amount of your SSI benefit depends on the amount of your household income and on which state you live in. Though, the basic SSI payment is the same nationwide. If your household income rises, your SSI entitlement will decrease. 

Effective January 2009 through 2010, the basic SSI payment for an eligible individual was $674 per month and $1,011 per month for an eligible couple.

Fortunately, the state of California adds money to the basic SSI payment. Your monthly payment will include the federal SSI payment and the supplement from California.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Denied My Claim. Can I appeal?

YES. The SSA denies approximately 75% of claims every year. Many applicants simply give up after making their initial claim. DON’T GIVE UP. With an experienced social security attorney by your side, you may still be able to get your claim approved.

Find an Experienced Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Lawyer

Filing an SSI claim can be a confusing and lengthy process. In addition, there is a high probability that the claim will be denied. Fortunately, the experienced Supplemental Security Income (SSI) lawyers can make this process go quickly and smoothly. Disability Help Group attorneys will work hard  to get you the benefits you need and deserve. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.…

San Diego Social Security Disability Lawyers

Every year, hundreds of San Diego County residents suffer a condition that prevents them from being able to work and provide for themselves and their families. The process from filing to receiving a response can take months. Roughly 7 out of 10 applicants are initially denied, even though they have paid enough money in their Social Security taxes and can prove that they are disabled.

Fortunately, the expert Social Security Disability lawyers can make this process go quickly and smoothly. Our attorneys are work for your best interest and will get you the benefits you need and deserve. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

The Process of Filing an SSD Claim Can Be Long and Complicated. The Experienced San Diego SSD Lawyers Will Work For Your Best Interest and Get You the Benefits You Need and Deserve.

Social Security Disability (SSD) Insurance is a federal program that pays income replacement benefits to those who are unable to earn a living because of a severe physical or mental impairment. Disability benefits are available to those who have paid enough Social Security taxes, through income withholding, and can prove that they are disabled. Disability benefits are payable to blind or disabled workers, widow(er)s, or adults disabled since childhood, who are otherwise eligible.

What makes you eligible for SSD?

• Whether you have enough work credits to qualify for disability benefits
• You have a physical or mental impairment that can be shown through medical evidence
• You are unable to do ANY sort of work, not just your own past work, on a full-time basis. (There are limited exceptions to this rule, depending on your age, education, and transferable skills.)
• You are unable to work for 12 consecutive months or more at a level of substantial gainful activity (In 2008, this means you are unable to earn more than $940 per month).

As a general rule, you probably have enough work credits to qualify for SSD if you worked for five out of the last 10 years. 

When and How Do I Apply For Social Security Disability (SSD)?

You should apply as soon as possible after you find out your medical condition will last 12 months or longer and prevents you from returning to work.

To apply for SSD benefits, contact your local Social Security Office and state that you wish to file an application. There are three ways that you can do this.

• File for disability online,
• Call the Social Security office to set up an appointment to apply
• Walk into the Social Security office without an appointment

You should apply for SSD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. If you wait too long, you may lose your benefits. Also, the SSA does not pay for periods earlier than your application effective date. The process of filing can take several months.

 

How Much Will I Receive?

The amount of your SSD benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security. The bureau looks at how long and how much you have paid into the Social Security system. If you don’t have an estimate, you can use the Benefits Calculator listed on the SSA website. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) Denied My Claim. Can I Appeal?

YES. The SSA denies approximately 75% of claims every year. Many applicants simply give up after making their initial claim. DON’T GIVE UP. With an experienced social security attorney by your side, you may still be able to get your claim approved. 

I Was Just Approved for SSD. When do My Benefits Start?

If you have been approved, your first Social Security benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date the SSA finds that your disability began. If your condition improves and you are able to return to work, you are still able to receive benefits for the time that you were unable to work if it exceeds 12 months. This is called a “closed period of disability.”

Filing an SSD claim can be a confusing and lengthy process. In addition, there is a high probability that the claim will be denied. Fortunately, the experienced Social Security Disability lawyers can make this process go quickly and smoothly. Our attorneys are working for your best interest and will get you the benefits you need and deserve. Contact our law office to schedule your free consultation.…