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Bethlehem, PA Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

You might be in a financial bind if you recently became injured or sick and cannot return to work. How can you support yourself or your family if you cannot work? Our legal team can assist you in filing for SSDI benefits so you can make ends meet.

SSDI benefits may help cover several costs, including a portion of lost income, benefits for family members, and compensation for special situations like disfigurement or dismemberment from an accident. You should speak to an attorney about SSDI benefits if you have recently become injured or sick and can no longer work. Your attorney can help you determine if your condition meets the legal definition of a disability and whether you can perform any work that might be considered substantial gainful activity (SGA). If you are approved for SSDI benefits but want to work again someday, ask your attorney about a trial work period.

Get a private, free case review by calling (215) 515-2954 and speaking to our Social Security disability attorneys at Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates.

Possible SSDI Benefits in Bethlehem, PA

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits might help with numerous expenses, depending on your circumstances. The benefits available to you and your family depend on the nature of your injuries, the income you previously earned, and whether any special situations or conditions are present in your case.

Many people filing for SSDI benefits are concerned with the money they lose from being unable to return to work. SSDI benefits may make up for a portion of your lost wages and earnings. Exactly how much your benefits are worth is hard to say as they are unique to each person. The SSA will consider your average income from the year before your injuries or illness.

In some cases, people file for benefits after another family member passes away. For example, a person might be disabled and unable to work, so they rely on their spouse’s income. If their spouse passes away, the surviving, disabled spouse may file for SSDI benefits in the name of the deceased spouse. As such, benefits are based on the income and work history of the deceased spouse.

As mentioned earlier, SSDI benefits may provide compensation for certain special situations. Specifically, you may receive compensation for injuries that leave you disfigured or involve some kind of dismemberment. Significant scarring or the loss of hands, arms, feet, or legs might qualify for SSDI benefits. Our Social Security disability attorneys can review your injuries and work history to make sure that your SSDI benefits are maximized and that you receive as much compensation as possible.

When You Should Consider Filing for SSDI Benefits in Bethlehem, PA

You should think about filing for SSDI benefits if you become hurt, sick, or otherwise disabled and cannot work. While some people have savings to rely on or family who can step up and provide support, many others do not. You should give serious consideration to filing if your disability is expected to last for a long time. As detailed below, your disability should be expected to last at least a year or end in death.

Next, you should talk to an attorney about SSDI benefits if you have a sufficient work history. SSDI benefits are only available to people with a sufficient work history who have paid into Social Security. The more money you earn before you become disabled, the higher some of your benefits might be, depending on what kind of benefits you receive.

Finally, SSDI benefits might be necessary if you cannot work enough to support yourself. Some people can still work in some capacity despite their injuries or illnesses. People like these might not even be eligible for SSDI benefits. However, if you cannot perform any kind of work that would provide you with an adequate income to support yourself, talk to our legal team about SSDI benefits.

Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits in Bethlehem, PA

Someone may be eligible for SSDI benefits if their condition constitutes a disability within the definition set by law and they are unable to perform substantial gainful activity. But what do these phrases mean in a legal sense?

Your condition meets the definition of a disability under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a). Under the law, a disability is a physical or mental condition that hinders a person from performing SGA and is expected to persist for at least 12 months or end in death. A list of qualifying disabilities may be found on the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website.

The next question is, what in the world is SGA? To be eligible for social security disability benefits, you must be unable to perform substantial gainful activity as defined under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1510. The law holds that SGA includes productive and significant duties, which may be physical or mental, that are done for pay or profit.

SGA is elaborated upon under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1572. Work may be considered substantial even if performed in a lesser capacity than before your injuries. Part-time work or even work that pays less might still be SGA. Additionally, SGA may be deemed gainful if the profit you work for is never realized. Finally, activities like attending social events, hobbies, going to school, and household chores are not deemed SGA.

Can I Ever Work Again After Receiving SSDI Benefits in Bethlehem, PA?

Once approved for benefits, you do not have to rely on them forever. Many who receive benefits plan to eventually return to work if and when their condition improves. Fortunately, SSDI recipients can test the waters regarding working without losing their benefits.

If you want to work again, speak to our team about starting a trial work period. Under 20 C.F.R. § 404.1592(a), this trial period lasts for 9 non-consecutive months. The work you perform during a trial work period is not considered when assessing your disability. For example, if you return to work and find working too difficult in your condition, your work cannot be used to terminate your benefits.

Once your trial work period is complete, the work you performed may be considered in determining whether your Social Security disability benefits should end.