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Union City, NJ Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

If you are living in Union City and cannot work, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits can help. SSDI is designed to help those who have paid into the system when injuries prevent them from returning to work.

Our team knows how confusing working with Social Security can be and can help you avoid common mistakes so your benefits are not denied. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a detailed method for determining eligibility for SSDI benefits that takes into account your entire work and medical history. Simply being injured is not enough. Your condition must be such that it prevents you from any gainful activity. We can help prepare your application so that it accurately reflects the nature of your condition and how it has impacted your ability to work.

Call our disability (SSDI) attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Deane at (609) 755-3115 for a free case review.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Union City, NJ?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a social insurance program that provides financial support to workers who have become disabled and are no longer able to work. This program is funded by Social Security taxes, which workers pay while they are working. The benefits provided by SSDI are intended to help individuals who are facing significant physical or mental impairments that prevent them from being able to work for at least 12 months or result in death.

To qualify for SSDI benefits, individuals must have a certain number of work credits, which are based on how much they have worked and paid into the Social Security system. Our disability (SSDI) attorneys can help you calculate and prove what you have paid already. Once approved, beneficiaries receive monthly payments to help cover their living expenses and medical costs.

Determining Eligibility for SSDI in Union City, NJ

Eligibility for SSDI is determined by several factors, including the severity of your condition, your age, and your work history. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a step-by-step process involving five questions to evaluate whether an individual is disabled.

The first question asks if you are working. If you are working and your earnings average more than a certain amount each month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. The second question concerns the severity of your condition. If your condition does not interfere with basic work-related activities, it is not considered severe, and you are not disabled.

If your condition is severe, the SSA then checks it against a list of disabling conditions. If your condition is on this list, you are automatically considered disabled. If it is not, the SSA must decide if it is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list.

The fourth question asks whether you can do the work you did previously despite your condition. If you can, your claim will be denied. If you cannot, the SSA will proceed to the fifth and final question: Can you do any other type of work? If you cannot do other work because of your condition, your claim will be approved. If you can, your claim will be denied.

The list of disabling conditions includes various diseases and conditions related to different body systems, such as musculoskeletal problems, cardiovascular conditions, mental disorders, and others. The severity of the condition is a key factor in this assessment. For example, while back pain is a common ailment, it would need to be of such severity that it prevents any kind of substantial gainful activity for it to be considered disabling.

Assessing the Severity of Your Condition for SSDI in Union City, NJ

Determining the degree of seriousness of your medical condition requires a comprehensive analysis of all relevant medical evidence, which includes consultation reports, treatment notes, diagnostic test results, and medical opinions.

To evaluate the impact of your condition on your daily life, you should ask yourself some important questions such as: how does my condition restrict my ability to carry out regular activities? Can I still perform basic work-related tasks? Is my condition expected to last for a minimum of one year or result in death? It is essential to answer these questions honestly and in detail to provide a clear understanding of the extent of your medical condition and how it impacts your life.

How SSDI Benefits Are Calculated in Union City, NJ

The calculation of SSDI benefits is based on the worker’s average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) and the primary insurance amount (PIA). The AIME is calculated by adjusting the worker’s past earnings to account for wage inflation, which means that the earnings over the years are indexed to reflect the changes in wage levels over time. The PIA, the base figure used in computing the benefit amount, is then calculated using a formula applied to the AIME.

The formula takes into account 90% of the first $1,115 of your average indexed monthly earnings, plus 32% of your average indexed monthly earnings between $1,115 and $6,172, and 15% of your average indexed monthly earnings over $6,172. This means that the higher your AIME, the higher your PIA, the higher your SSDI benefit amount.

However, the SSA offers two programs that provide benefits to disabled individuals: SSDI and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. The SSI program provides benefits to disabled individuals based on financial need that can impact your SSDI benefits. While SSDI benefits are based on a worker’s past earnings, SSI benefits are determined by an individual’s income and assets. This means that if you have limited income and resources, you might be eligible for SSI benefits in addition to SSDI benefits.

However, receiving SSI benefits can reduce the amount of SSDI benefits because of the income limits of the SSI program. This is because the total amount of benefits you receive from both programs cannot exceed a certain limit, and if your income from other sources, including SSI benefits, exceeds this limit, your SSDI benefits might be reduced.

In some cases, an individual might be eligible for both SSDI and SSI benefits. This can potentially create a situation where the individual receives a higher total benefit amount, but it is important to understand the rules and limitations of both programs to make informed decisions about applying for benefits.

Understanding the Application Process for SSDI Benefits in Union City, NJ

Applying for SSDI involves several steps, starting with gathering the necessary documentation. This could include your Social Security number, birth certificate, information about your doctors and treatments, work history, and financial information. The application form, known as the Disability Benefit Application, can be filled out online or at your local Social Security office.

Once the application is submitted, it is reviewed for basic eligibility criteria before being forwarded to the Disability Determination Services office in New Jersey. There, a detailed review of the medical evidence is conducted to decide on the claim. If approved, benefits usually begin after a five-month waiting period.