Fairfield County Social Security Disability Attorney

Your Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney can assist you through the stressful and complicated process of filing a disability claim. As an applicant, you must pay attention to many details in addition to gathering extensive evidence. This is a difficult task if you’re managing a chronic or painful medical condition. Let the Social Security disability attorneys at Hermann Law Group, PLLC guide you through the process.

Understanding Social Security Disability and SSI Benefits

Social Security provides two different types of benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). These programs are similar in some ways, but there are important differences. Depending on your household income and your work history, you may be eligible for both.

SSDI

• Eligibility for SSDI is based on the status of your medical conditions and on your past earnings.
• Your income and assets have no bearing on your right to SSDI benefits.
• Those who receive SSDI get a monthly payment and after a waiting period are eligible for Medicare.
• The amount of monthly payment is derived from past earnings.
• Dependent benefits are available for minors and disabled children.

SSI

• Eligibility for SSI is based on your medical condition and your household income.
• SSI is available even if you have never earned income.
• To receive benefits, your assets and household income cannot exceed a certain amount.
• SSI payments are often less than SSDI payments, but you will be eligible for Medicaid.
• SSI offers no additional benefits for dependent children.

Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney Gabe Hermann can help you assess your eligibility for SSDI or SSI benefits. We’re here to analyze your circumstances, review your earnings history, and explain your options.

Apply for Social Security Benefits

To complete a Social Security disability application, you’ll provide extensive information about both your medical issues and your work history. Make sure you have the following information:

• list of your medical issues
• names and contact information for each of your medical providers
• list of your surgeries and hospitalizations
• how and when your medical issues began to affect your work
• your financial resources
• your employment history, including
  • names and contact information for your past employment
  • dates you were employed
  • pay for each employer
  • duties in each job
  • when you last worked full time or earned significant income

You can file your application on your own either online or in person at a Social Security office. However, you might consider allowing your Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney to file the application for you. At Hermann Law Group, PLLC, we have guided hundreds of clients through the application process, as well as helped them avoid costly mistakes that can delay the application or cause denial of benefits.

Appeal a Social Security Disability Denial

Unfortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies benefits to most first time applicants, even some with very strong claims. There’s no need to give up when that happens. Your Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney can help you prosecute an appeal.

If the Social Security Administration denies your claim, contact Hermann Law Group, PLLC as soon as possible. We can help you appeal the SSA decision. Time is of the essence. You only have 60 days after your claim is denied in which to lodge an appeal, If you miss this important deadline, you’ll have to start the application over from scratch. This could consequently cause you to lose out on valuable benefits.

Your attorney will help you navigate several appeal stages, including the following:

Reconsideration

To begin your appeal process, you will first file a Request for Reconsideration. Even though the SSA will deny most requests for reconsideration, it is a necessary step in the appeal process.

Appeal Hearing

If the SSA denies reconsideration of your disability application, your next step is to request a hearing. An administrative law judge will conduct the hearing, review your evidence, listen to testimony, and finally, make a decision.

Appeals Council

If the administrative law judge denies your application, Hermann Law Group, PLLC can help you continue your appeal before the Social Security Appeals Council. The Council will review the decision by the administrative law judge. The Council can confirm the judge’s decision, decide that the judge’s errors warrant another hearing, or approve your benefits.

Appeals of Social Security decisions require experience as well as thorough technical knowledge of winning strategies and pitfalls. An appeal might require your Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney to do the following:

• assess your chance of a successful outcome to your appeal,
• review your Social Security file in total to identify errors and incomplete information,
• gather additional evidence to support your application, including work information and medical records,
• draft a written brief to argue legal theories and highlight evidence in your file, and
• present evidence, elicit testimony, and cross examine witnesses at your hearing.

Contact a Fairfield County Social Security Disability Attorney Today

Disability applicants can benefit from the expert guidance of an experienced Fairfield County Social Security disability attorney. Hermann Law Group, PLLC will carefully analyze your case, and subsequently provide straightforward and compassionate advice. Call today for a complimentary consultation and case evaluation.