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Social Security Disability Warren, PA
Home / Social Security Disability Warren, PA
Home / Social Security Disability Warren, PA

Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Warren, PA

Are you a resident of Warren, PA, who is unable to work because of an injury or illness? If so, you’re probably worried about your financial situation and future. However, your condition may qualify you for one of the Social Security Administration’s disability benefits programs, which can provide you with the financial assistance you need to make ends meet.

The SSA imposes strict eligibility criteria for benefits, so it’s important to have legal help preparing and submitting your application. Don’t wait another day to start the process. Contact Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, for an initial case evaluation with a Social Security disability attorney to discuss your rights and how we can help you assert them.

Why Choose an SSD Attorney From Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC?

The Social Security Administration exists to help people in situations like yours maintain a basic level of well-being, and the agency’s disability programs can give you the financial resources you need to afford your daily expenses. Unfortunately, budget cuts and strict eligibility requirements can make it difficult to access the benefits you’re entitled to under the law. You can best protect and assert your rights by hiring an experienced attorney to help you pursue your Social Security disability claim and challenge a rejection.

Turn to an SSD lawyer from Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, for this help because:

  • We believe you deserve personalized service tailored to your specific needs. Our attorneys take the time to listen to your story and discuss your needs and concerns.
  • You’ll benefit from the collective knowledge, experience, and perspectives of our entire legal team. Our collaborative approach enables us to develop practical legal solutions and effective case strategies for addressing the challenges and obstacles that may arise in a client’s case.
  • Our firm has a proven track record of success. You can trust that we understand the system because we’ve used it to get past clients the benefits they deserved.

Understanding the Social Security Disability Programs

The Social Security Administration operates two disability benefits programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each program serves different groups of people, based on the eligibility requirements of each program.

SSDI provides disability benefits to workers who become unable to continue working due to an injury or illness. A person can qualify for SSDI with a disability if they meet the program’s work history and recent work tests.

  • The work history test determines whether an applicant has made sufficient contributions to the Social Security system, as measured by the number of work credits they have accumulated. People earn work credits by earning a specific amount of taxable income, up to a maximum of four credits per year. The number of credits an applicant requires depends on their age at the onset of their disability.
  • The recent work test confirms that the applicant has performed sufficient work in the timeframe leading up to the onset of their disability.

SSDI pays benefits based on a person’s lifetime taxable earnings. Benefits start in the sixth month following the established onset date of a person’s disability, although certain conditions can exempt individuals from this waiting period.

SSI provides disability benefits to low-income and visually impaired individuals. Applicants typically must meet income and asset thresholds to qualify for SSI. Applicants who earn countable income greater than the monthly income threshold or who own countable assets whose total value exceeds $2,000 (for single applicants) may not qualify for SSI. SSI provides disability benefits at the federal benefit rate minus any countable income a recipient earns. SSI benefits can begin immediately following approval.

Eligibility Requirements for SSD

The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits to those who have a qualifying disability. The Social Security Administration defines a “disability” as a medical condition that:

  • The applicant can prove they have through objective medical evidence,
  • Renders the applicant unable to work enough to earn enough income to meet the substantial gainful activity threshold, and
  • Will last for at least 12 months or cause the applicant’s death.

When evaluating whether an applicant’s condition renders them unable to perform substantial gainful activity, the Social Security Administration uses a five-step evaluation process. The SSA proceeds through each step until it can determine at a particular step whether or not an applicant has a qualifying disability. The five steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: The SSA considers whether the applicant currently performs work that earns enough income to meet the substantial gainful activity threshold.
  • Step 2: The SSA considers the medical severity of the applicant’s condition, including whether sufficient medical evidence of the condition exists and whether the condition will meet the durational requirement.
  • Step 3: The SSA considers whether the applicant’s impairment meets or equals one of the impairments listed in the SSA’s Blue Book.
  • Step 4: The SSA assesses the applicant’s residual functional capacity (their ability to perform basic work tasks) and determines whether the applicant can perform their past jobs with their residual functional capacity.
  • Step 5: The SSA considers whether the applicant can work any other jobs that exist in substantial numbers in the national economy, taking into account the applicant’s residual functional capacity, age, education, and work experience.

Applicants found unable to work after all five steps may have a medical condition that qualifies them for SSD benefits.

What Should You Do If the Social Security Administration Denies Your Application?

The Social Security Administration denies the majority of initial SSD applications it receives. Many denials occur due to insufficient evidence to prove that an applicant has a qualifying disability or meets the other eligibility criteria for SSDI or SSI. However, applicants who have their applications denied can appeal those denials through the SSA’s administrative appeals process. This process involves three steps:

  • Reconsideration: An applicant may ask the SSA to reconsider their application (along with any new or updated documentation) by a different claims reviewer.
  • Administrative hearing: If the second claims reviewer also denies the application, the applicant can request a hearing before an administrative law judge to present evidence, testimony, and arguments in support of their application.
  • Appeals Council review: If the ALJ also rules against the applicant, they can request a review by the SSA’s Appeals Council

After exhausting the administrative appeals process, an applicant can continue to challenge the denial of their application by filing an action in federal district court.

How Can an SSD Lawyer Help?

An SSD lawyer can help you pursue an application for disability benefits by:

  • Gathering medical documentation of your impairment
  • Assessing the evidence and reviewing your employment history or financial data to determine whether you may qualify for SSDI or SSI
  • Helping you complete your SSD application and organizing supporting documentation to submit along with your application
  • Communicating with the SSA during the application review process
  • Explaining your appeal options if the SSA denies your application and advocating on your behalf in each step of the administrative appeals process

An SSD attorney from Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, can also help you learn more about SSD benefits and what to expect when pursuing an application.

Contact Our Firm Today for Guidance and Support

Do you need help applying for financial benefits from the Social Security Administration in Warren, PA? If so, contact Fessenden Laumer & DeAngelo, PLLC, today for an initial consultation with a Social Security disability lawyer serving Warren. We’ll explain the SSA’s disability benefits programs to you, discuss your eligibility for benefits, and tell you what we can do for you.

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