Social Security Disability Lawyer

Stewart & Stewart Injury Lawyers

Social Security Disability is an insurance system designed to help with financial hardships throughout life, not just after retirement. If you are unable to work due to a disease or injury, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits regardless of your age. Claims are not always approved but you might have a valid case and still need the help of an attorney. Contact an Indiana Social Security Disability benefits lawyer at Stewart & Stewart Injury Lawyers, equipped to handle Indiana Social Security Disability claims. You and your dependent children may be due thousands of dollars in past benefits.

You may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you are unable to work due to:

• Breathing problems
• Chronic heart disease
• Obesity
• Mental disorders
• Blindness or deafness
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Seizures despite the use of medication
• Cancer
• Immune system disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Extreme psoriasis involving hands and feet
• Multiple sclerosis
• HIV positive
• Other severe medical conditions

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a chief benefit of the Social Security Act; disability insurance is a program in which employees contribute from each paycheck to a fund designed to help those who fall out of the workforce into disability. The Social Security Administration (www.ssa.gov) reviews each case of those claiming disability so those who truly need financial support receive it.

How do I qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?
Generally, you must meet two criteria set by the government: the amount of time you have worked and the nature of your disability. The Social Security Administration uses a system of earned work credits per year, but in general you need to have worked fairly regularly and recently before you became disabled. Having worked five of the past ten years usually qualifies you. As for the nature of your disability, any medical condition that prevents you from working at your former job or adjusting to a new one could make you eligible for significant benefits.

What's the difference between Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?
Supplemental Security Income is a program for those with extremely low income who have become disabled. The eligibility rules for the disability are similar; what differs for SSI is that you must submit documentation of your low income rather than your work history. Also, where disability insurance is funded by deductions from paychecks, SSI is federally funded.

When can I file for Social Security Disability Insurance?
Once you acquire a condition that is likely to keep you out of work for the coming year, you should file immediately for benefits. What's more, it can take a while for your claim to be processed, so the sooner, the better.

What are my chances of being approved for benefits?
There is no way of knowing for certain whether your condition will be judged as eligible for benefits by the Social Security Administration. Two people with the same disease won't necessarily both be approved. The key element is the severity of your condition – that it is severe enough to keep you out of work for significant stretches of time.

What if I am denied benefits?
It is fairly common for initial claims for Social Security Disability Benefits to be denied. Often, however, your claim will be approved at a higher level. Obtain the professional services of an Indiana Social Security Disability lawyer, one experienced in employment law in Indiana Social Security Disability benefits cases. The offices of Stewart & Stewart Injury Lawyers want to help you get the money you deserve.