Delaware County (Delco) Disability (SSDI) Benefits Lawyer

Every year, millions of Americans receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) when they are inflicted with a condition or impairment that prevents them from obtaining gainful employment. However, the process of applying for and being accepted into the most common disability program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), is complicated and time-consuming. Many disabled individuals who were the main breadwinner for their family before the onset of their disability face serious financial issues if they are not approved for SSDI quickly.

At Young Marr & Associates, our team of Delaware County (Delco) disability (SSDI) benefits lawyers have years of experience navigating the complex application process for SSDI. We know the steps to take to ensure your application has the highest chance of being approved so that you can receive the benefits to which you are entitled. Call us today at (215) 515-2954 to consult with one of our attorneys about your case.

Difference Between SSDI and SSI in Delco

There are two different types of disability benefits distributed by the SSA (Social Security Administration). The first, SSDI, is reserved for individuals who have worked for a certain amount of time and have paid taxes into Social Security. The second, Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), applies to individuals who suffer from a disability but who have never worked or have not been employed and paid Social Security taxes long enough to qualify for SSDI.

Those who qualify for SSDI in Delaware County generally receive larger monthly payouts than those who only qualify for SSI. In 2020, the average monthly payout for SSDI was $1,258, while the average monthly payout for SSI was only $783. Furthermore, dependent family members of those who receive SSDI are often entitled to receive additional auxiliary benefits each month, while family members of those who receive SSI are not. As such, it is always better to apply for SSDI if you are eligible.

How to Qualify for SSDI in Delaware County

There are several conditions your impairment must meet for you to be considered disabled by the SSA for the purpose of receiving SSDI.

Severe Disability

The definition of a severe disability qualifying you to receive SSDI is a condition or an impairment that is medically determinable and will prevent you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to lead to your death. A severe disability is one that significantly limits your ability to do basic work activities. The SSA keeps a list in their “Blue Book” of qualifying conditions. While not exhaustive, the following list contains some of the major conditions that qualify as a severe disability:

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Cancers
• Respiratory diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis
• Immune system disorders like HIV/AIDs
• Impairments to your sensory capabilities such as being blind or deaf
• Congenital disorders such as Down Syndrome
• Mental disorders such as autism, severe anxiety, or intellectual disabilities

Even if your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, sometimes a combination of conditions can qualify you as severely disabled. A trained and experienced Delaware County (Delco) disability (SSDI) benefits lawyer like those at our firm can help you determine if your situation qualifies.

Inability to Work at Your Current Job or Any Other Type of Job

In order to qualify for SSDI, your condition or impairment must prevent you from being able to continue working at your current position. However, the condition, combined with your age and education level, must also preclude you from being able to find gainful employment in a different field. A complicated system known as the “grids” is used to determine whether you should be able to find gainful employment in another field. A knowledgeable attorney can help you understand how this analysis is conducted.

No “Substantial Gainful Activity”

Substantial gainful activity is defined for the purposes of receiving SSDI as earning more than a prescribed amount of monthly income from any source (investments, real estate, etc.). For 2020, if an individual makes more than $1,260 per month, they are considered to be engaging in substantial gainful activity. If you are blind, you can make up to $2,110 per month without the SSA considering you to be engaged in substantial gainful activity.

The Application and Appeals Process for SSDI in Delaware County

The application process for SSDI is lengthy and can often involve multiple levels of appeal. The initial application requires supplemental materials such as doctor’s reports and other medical records documenting your condition, as well as proof of monthly income. After an initial application is submitted, around 60% of applicants are rejected, and you can apply for reconsideration, where further documentation may be requested.

If reconsideration fails, the next step in the appeals process is a hearing before an administrative court judge. At this hearing you will be required to present evidence of your disability in the form of further medical test results and diagnostic reports, as well as expert testimony. If the judge denies your application, you can ask for the appeals council to review it, though they don’t take all cases. Your final appeal would be in a federal district court, where your attorney must argue that the “preponderance of the evidence” proves that your application was unfairly rejected and that you are indeed disabled.

Even a review of the initial application can take between 3-6 months, so the further delay the appeals process requires can be financially devastating for you and your family if you are unable to work. This is why it is vital to retain a Delco disability (SSDI) benefits lawyer like those at Young Marr & Associates as early in your application process as possible to ensure that your initial application is not rejected for a reason that could have been prevented.

Call Our Highly Experienced Delco SSDI Benefits Lawyers Today

The process for applying for SSDI benefits is extremely involved and requires much technical expertise. Trying to submit your application without the expertise of a veteran Delaware County disability (SSDI) benefits lawyer like those at Young Marr & Associates can result in costly delays or even complete rejection of your claim. Our attorneys understand that these benefits are essential for a disabled worker to support themselves and their loved ones. We will work to get your claim approved as quickly and painlessly as possible. Call us today at (215) 515-2954 for a free legal consultation.