Phoenixville, PA Social Security Disability Lawyer

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program meant to help Americans who are no longer able to work because of a disability. Indeed, SSDI helps many people every year. However, getting approved for SSDI can be tricky, and many people who eventually do get approved are initially turned down. Unfortunately, this makes many people working towards getting SSDI coverage nervous and stressed out while they wait for their application to go through bureaucratic processes.

Because the SSDI approval process can be tedious, difficult, and stressful, it is useful to have legal counsel helping you out. Our office has assisted many people who are seeking SSDI approval to get their applications all the way through the application, review, and appeal process. We are in it with you all the way to the end of the process, no matter if you get approved right away or have to go through judicial hearings and additional application reviews.

To have our Social Security disability lawyers go over your case for free, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at (215) 515-2954.

The Process for SSDI Claims in Phoenixville, PA

Social Security disability applications and approval processes can end up taking a while. However, they all follow similar steps. Making sure that you do all the things you need to with your application can help expedite the process, and our Social Security disability attorneys will guide you through the process and advise you on the best course of action if any hurdles arise during the SSDI application and approval process.

Preparing Your Claim

In order to have the best chance at a successful SSDI claim, especially on the first try, you should put a good deal of time and thought into preparing your application. The first thing that needs to be figured out is whether you are eligible for SSDI in the first place.

There are a couple of different criteria that need to be met to have a successful SSDI claim. First, you must have a qualifying disability. The SSDI website has what is called the Listing of Impairments, which contains all of the disabilities covered by the program. Second, you have to demonstrate that your disability prevents you from participating in “substantial gainful activity.” As of 2024, SSDI considers you able to participate in substantial gainful activity if you have income – from all sources – of $1,550 per month. If you are blind, that amount increases to $2,590 per month.

Finally, you need to demonstrate that you have a work history and paid your taxes. SSDI calculates this by assigning credits based on how long you have worked. The number of credits you need to be eligible differs depending on your age and how long you have worked.

In addition to demonstrating that you are eligible based on disability and income, you also should compile other information, such as listing whether you have family members or other people who depend on you to provide income, your employer information, and any other things that may be helpful to your application. Again, our attorneys can help you through this process and get your application going with all the information you need and none that you do not.

Submitting Your Claim

Once your application is set and ready to go, the next step is to submit it. You can submit your application online, over the phone, or through a mail-in form provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The SSA will begin going over your application once they get it. Do not be alarmed if it takes a while for the administration to get back to you, as there are thousands of applications coming in every day. While your application is reviewed, the SSA may contact you from time to time and request additional information, an interview, or something else. Our attorneys are more than able to help you do whatever the SSA asks of you during this process.

Most SSDI applicants are informed about the status of their application within five months of it being submitted. There is a waiting period between when you get approved and when you start receiving SSDI benefits. This period exists both to give the SSA time to process your claim and because your circumstances may change during that time. For example, if you stop being disabled during that period, you will no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits. Once you start receiving benefits, you should also get back payments based on when you became disabled and when you submitted your application for approval.

What if My SSDI Claim is Denied?

If your SSDI application is denied, it is not the end of the road. In fact, many SSDI applications that eventually get approved are denied the first time around because the program is so competitive. Our lawyer can help you initiate an appeal and go through other steps if your application is denied.

You have 60 days from the denial of your SSDI application to initiate an appeal. During this time, the SSA will give you the opportunity to explain your situation, and they may, in turn, explain why your application was denied and how to correct things. If the SSA still elects to deny coverage, the next step is to go before an administrative law judge and have a hearing on your eligibility for SSDI. During that hearing, you can have medical experts testify about your condition and bring forth additional evidence supporting your claim. If the SSA still wants to deny coverage, you can then take your claim to federal court for a final appeal. For each step in the appeal process, you have 60 days to bring a further appeal.

Speak with Our Phoenixville, PA Social Security Disability Lawyers Today

Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates’ Social Security disability lawyers are here to help you through the application and approval process when you contact our offices at (215) 515-2954.