Philadelphia Attorney for Disability Denials (SSDI)

Many people across Philadelphia and the rest of the United States live with disabilities that prevent them from earning a livable wage. Some disabled Americans are unable to work at all. For people who are unable to work or find it very difficult to work, having enough money to survive is not guaranteed. Many people with disabilities turn to assistance from the government as a means of getting by. They apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with hopes of having an income they can live on.

Unfortunately, most SSDI applicants are denied. The application process can be very long and complicated and the laws surrounding SSDI are confusing. Many denied applicants might just give up. Instead, you should hire a qualified attorney to fight for your SSDI benefits. Our skilled Philadelphia attorney for disability denials can help you get your application approved. Call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 and ask about a free legal consultation regarding your SSDI application.

Getting Social Security Disability Insurance in Philadelphia

SSDI is designed to help disabled people who are unable to work due to their disability. SSDI is different from other forms of public assistance because it is connected to Social Security. To claim SSDI you must have worked in the past and paid into the benefits system. However, unlike ordinary Social Security, you can claim SSDI benefits much sooner due to your disability status. SSDI is notorious for its high rate of denials. Most people will be denied SSDI the first time they apply. If you are denied, you can still request an appeal and continue working toward getting SSDI support.

Many people need SSDI because they have no other options. SSDI is meant for people who cannot work, no matter how skilled or otherwise qualified for a job they may be. These are people who cannot work, have no other income, and cannot wait until they are of retirement age to claim Social Security. SSDI tends to last for as long as a person suffers from a disability. Depending on your disability, your benefits may be terminated upon your recovery, or they may last indefinitely.

For help filing for SSDI or appealing a denial of your SSDI application, please contact our Philadelphia attorney for disability denials as soon as possible.

SSDI Eligibility Requirements in Philadelphia

To receive SSDI support, you must fulfill certain criteria. First, you must be either an unemployed worker, the widow/widower of that worker, or the worker’s adult child. Second, you must be considered medically disabled. This often involves a doctor’s diagnosis and proof of ongoing treatment. Finally, you must be unemployed or be employed in a very limited capacity. If you are working, you must be earning less than what is referred to as the substantial gainful activity level. These three criteria might seem simple, but it is much harder than you think to satisfy all of them.

Proving they are disabled is often a significant hitch for SSDI applicants. Sometimes applicants lack enough proof of their disability. Other times, they prove they are disabled, but cannot prove they are disabled enough to receive SSDI. This begs the question, what is considered a “disability” for SSDI?

What Happens if You Are Not “Disabled Enough” for SSDI in Philadelphia?

There are two key factors used to determine if a person is disabled for purposes of receiving SSDI. First, the applicant must be unable to perform any significant work due to a medical condition. This does not mean the applicant must be completely unable to work. You can work a little bit if you are able to, but your income must be so limited that you cannot make ends meet. Second, your medical condition must be long-lasting (at least one year) or be terminal, meaning it will likely end with your death.

If your application meets the basic eligibility requirements, it will be sent to the Bureau of Disability Determination (BDD). The BDD are the people who will analyze your application and decide if you are disabled enough to qualify for SSDI. They will look at evidence of your disability sent by you and they may request additional evidence from the doctors and hospitals that have treated you. This process often takes months, and many applicants are denied despite evidence from doctors and hospitals.

If your application is ultimately denied, do not lose hope. You can file an appeal of your denial and keep fighting for your SSDI support. Contact our Philadelphia attorney for disability denials for help with the appeals process.

The Process of Appealing a Denial for SSDI Benefits in Philadelphia

To begin the process of appealing your SSDI denial, you must first make a request. A request must be made within 60 days of your denial. Otherwise, you will have to start the application process all over again. Once your request is processed, you will be granted a reconsideration. Reconsideration is when a different person who had nothing to do with your first denial takes a look at your application. This new person may see things differently than the first one and grant your application. However, they may also come to the same conclusion as the first person and deny it. If you are denied again, you can ask for a hearing on your application.

At your hearing, an Administrative Law Judge will review your case and make a decision. The judge will not only review your application and any evidence provided by you and your doctors, but they will also consider your testimony. You can even present witnesses to help your case. You absolutely have a right to be represented by an attorney at your hearing. Our Philadelphia lawyers for disability denials can stand by you at your hearing and guide you through the process.

Contact Our Philadelphia Attorney for Disability Denials

If you were denied SSDI support and want to start the appeals process, reach out to our Philadelphia attorneys for disability denials. We can guide you through the appeals process and work toward getting you SSDI support. Call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954 to schedule a free and confidential legal consultation with our team.