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Macungie, PA Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits exist to provide financial support to those who can no longer work because of a disabling medical condition or injury. We can help you get that support by completing an SSDI application and submitting it to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Regarding getting SSDI, there are two important eligibility factors: work history and medical condition. Workers get work credits when they earn a certain amount in wages each year, making them eligible for SSDI over time. Applicants must also have a qualifying medical condition, and we can confirm if yours is eligible by comparing your medical records to the SSA’s listing of impairments. Not providing sufficient medical evidence in your application could lead to a claim denial, and our lawyers can avoid that by organizing medical records and enlisting treating physicians to give statements supporting your application. The SSA keeps track of recipients and their continuing eligibility after approving claims. Not following the SSA’s rules for substantial gainful activity could disqualify you, even if you currently receive SSDI in Macungie. We can inform you of these rules so that you keep getting SSDI for as long as needed.

To get a free case assessment from our SSDI lawyers, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954.

What to Know About SSDI Eligibility in Macungie, PA

To get Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, you need a certain amount of work credits and a qualifying medical condition. Even after the SSA approves disability applications, it monitors recipients and any potential improvements in their medical conditions, as this could make them ineligible for continuing SSDI benefits. When preparing your SSDI application, we can include crucial evidence, like your medical records and expert statements, to improve its chances of approval.

How Many Work Credits Do You Need?

Work credits are part of SSDI eligibility. You get one work credit for each $1,730 in wages and can get up to four credits per year, no matter your other income. This evens the playing field, making it possible for anyone who earns $6,920 in a year to earn four work credits for that year.

We can put you through the recent work test to see if your work history qualifies you for SSDI. If you are 31 or older, you must have worked for at least five of the past ten years before becoming disabled. If you are between 24 and 31, you must have worked for at least half the time between turning 21 and your disability onset date and earned work credits for 50% of that time. If you are 24 or younger, you must have worked at least one and a half years after turning 21.

If you do not qualify for SSDI through your earning record, you could qualify through a parent as a disabled adult child (DAC). This allows individuals with insufficient work credits who also became disabled before turning 22 to get SSDI through one of their parents’ work histories and credits. To get SSDI this way, your parent must pass the recent work test and qualify for Social Security benefits themselves.

What Injuries Qualify?

The Social Security Administration specifically lists 14 categories of conditions that qualify adults for SSDI. These include musculoskeletal, digestive, neurological, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, immune system, and mental disorders. According to the SSA, among disabled workers receiving SSDI in 2022, 34.1% were approved because of musculoskeletal system and connective tissue disorders, like arthritis, osteoporosis, and other inflammatory conditions. Also, in 2022, 12.7% of SSDI recipients got benefits for depressive, bipolar, and other related disorders, demonstrating that those dealing with mental disorders can and do benefit from SSDI. Among DACs, 44.4% were approved for SSDI because of intellectual disorders, also according to the SSA.

Our SSDI lawyers can compare your medical records to SSA-approved conditions to confirm if your injuries qualify you for benefits. Even if the SSA does not specifically list your condition, it might be close enough to one of the approved disabilities, and getting supportive statements from medical experts can help us prove your eligibility to the Social Security Administration when it reviews your SSDI application.

What Could Disqualify You from SSDI Eligibility?

Not having sufficient medical records to prove your condition could make you ineligible for SSDI. Some SSDI-eligible conditions develop over time, and getting care at the first sign of an issue is important, as this can ensure detailed records outlining the timeline and treatment for your condition. Other times, people sustain SSDI-eligible injuries during a serious accident, like a car crash or workplace accident. In these situations, you should also get immediate medical treatment and focus on your health, as doing so will continue to generate medical records our lawyers can include in your SSDI application.

Once approved for SSDI, you can get benefits for the rest of your life or until your condition improves, enabling you to earn a sufficient income. Because of this, the SSA monitors recipients’ conditions even after approval via continuing disability reviews. These reviews might happen every few years, depending on your condition and anticipated recovery. During continuing disability reviews, the SSA may request updated medical records to confirm you still need support from SSDI. The SSA could stop your benefits if you cannot provide evidence to show your continuing need for financial support. This could also happen if you earn over the substantial gainful activity limits in a month or unintentionally trigger a trial work period. Our attorneys can explain the limits on outside income SSDI recipients can earn and warn you of potential pitfalls that could threaten your benefits even after you are approved to receive them in Macungie.