Chapel Hill Social Security Disability Lawyer

Chapel Hill Social Security Disability Lawyer

Do you live in the Chapel Hill area? Are you struggling with a disability or an illness that has left you unable to work, all while expenses accumulate and bills continue to pile up? If so, you may have arrived at this page wondering if you might be entitled to disability benefits – and if hiring a disability lawyer would be helpful in seeking those benefits. If so, we’re glad you’re here.

Being disabled can be an overwhelming experience, to say the very least. It can leave you feeling as if your world has been suddenly rearranged – and that's normal. The good news is that with the right legal team on your side, you may be able to pursue and receive Social Security disability benefits that you desperately need and deserve. Let's take a closer look at that process together.

SSDI and SSI Benefits – What Are They?

Before you can think about whether you qualify for benefits and how to pursue them, it's helpful to understand exactly what they are. Before looking at the differences between these two types of benefits, let's look at the similarities.

First and foremost, both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provide recipients with vital sources of income if they become unable to work and provide for themselves in their families. Many disabled people in Chapel Hill rely on these programs to continue to pay the bills and care for their loved ones, even while disabled. Both types of benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration, a branch of the United States Government.

Understanding the similarities between the two types of benefits is important, but so is understanding the differences:

Social Security Disability Insurance

• The revenue for Social Security Disability Insurance comes primarily from payroll taxes which are paid by employers, workers, and the self-employed. As is the case with Social Security retirement benefits, typically, SSDI benefits are only available to those who have worked enough and paid enough into the system to qualify.
• To qualify for receipt of SSDI benefits, the individual must have a physical or mental disability recognized by the Social Security Administration. Often, the Social Security Administration will use a “Blue Book” of listed impairments to make that determination. An individual’s medical records and the opinions of the patient’s physicians can be very influential and helpful in making that determination.
• The disability must be expected to last for a minimum of 12 months, or be permanent.
• SSDI benefits can be payable to disabled or blind workers, and also to their children or surviving spouses.
• The monthly benefit amount is often based upon the employee’s Social Security earnings record. Thus, the higher the worker’s salary, the higher the monthly benefits would generally be, based upon the higher payment into the system.
• Typically, there is a five-month waiting period for receipt of SSDI benefits after approval. This gives the Social Security Administration time to verify that a worker’s disability is in fact a “long-term” disability.

Supplemental Security Income

• Unlike SSDI benefits, SSI benefits are funded by revenue from general taxes – not from employees paying into the system. As a result, eligibility for these benefits is not based on the applicant's prior work history or prior tax payments.
• SSI benefits are based on the applicant's financial needs. As a result, to be approved for these benefits, the applicant must meet certain general income requirements established by the Social Security Administration. To determine whether your assets and income would qualify for SSI benefits, talking with an attorney who knows and understands the law and can advise you as to your particular circumstances is essential.
• Generally, SSI benefits are payable to those who are 65 and older, applicants who are disabled, and children who are blind and/or disabled.
• Monthly SSI payments are typically based on each individual’s income and assets, up to the maximum federal benefit rate.

Regardless of which type of benefits you believe you may be suited for, you will want to seek legal help and assistance with the application process. The law is full of complications, and the last thing you want when seeking benefits your family desperately needs and deserves is to have your application denied, or your benefits reduced because of an unintentional mistake. Making the effort to find the right attorney is well worth it.

A final similarity between the two types of benefits is that regardless of which type of benefit you apply for, you have the right to appeal the denial of your application if it occurs. Those who are applying for either type of benefit should realize that denials do occur quite often – especially for applications that are being submitted for the first time. This isn't a reason to panic, however.

Instead of panicking in the event of a denial, you should call a knowledgeable and experienced team of disability lawyers to discuss your situation and the best strategy for appealing your denial and moving forward. Having the right team of attorneys on your side can make all the difference between a smooth and successful appeals process, and a stressful one.

The Clauson Law Firm – Your Chapel Hill Disability Lawyers

Struggling with a disability is difficult. There’s no question about it. You want to move forward. You want to continue to provide for your family. You want to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible – and you can’t do that while worrying about expenses that continue to accumulate, and medical treatment you need to pay for. That’s why, at The Clauson Law Firm, we’re here to help. We understand the law surrounding disability benefits. We know the best legal strategies to pursue on your behalf. We are talented, experienced, and we’re ready to fight for you. If you live in Chapel Hill and you need a team of attorneys who can guide you through the process of seeking the benefits you need, there’s no time like today to get started. Call us any time. We look forward to speaking with you soon.