One of the most impactful programs operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). It provides financial benefits to disabled people who have a history of working and paying taxes.
SSDI is funded by payroll taxes, and you will only qualify if you have worked long enough and recently enough in a job covered by Social Security. The SSA does not always grant Toledo SSDI claims, but at Schaffer & Associates, we are ready to help in the aftermath of a denial. Our SSDI attorneys can help you get the benefits you deserve.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits through jobs covered by Social Security. These credits are based on your yearly wages or self-employment income. Most people need 40 credits to receive the maximum benefits. In general, you can earn four credits per year if you work full-time. Maximizing your benefits also requires that at least half of those credits come within the last 10 years.
The system is designed to support those who become disabled before retirement age. The specific number of credits required depends on your age when the disability begins, so younger workers still have the chance for benefits if their disability costs them their career.
However, you could lose your insured status if you stop working for an extended period before becoming disabled. Our Toledo attorneys can answer any questions you might have about how work credits relate to SSDI claims.
In addition to the work requirements, SSDI claims in Toledo and the surrounding area are only available if you have a qualifying disability. The SSA defines disability as a condition that prevents substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least one year or result in death. To qualify for SSDI, your condition must be severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities, such as walking, lifting, concentrating, and remembering.
The SSA maintains a Listing of Impairments, commonly known as the Blue Book. If your condition is listed in this book, you are generally considered to be disabled for the purposes of SSDI benefits. However, even if your specific condition is not listed, you may still qualify by showing how your symptoms prevent you from working full-time.
Medical evidence is critical, and the SSA relies on everything from doctors’ records to lab results when deciding if you qualify. Our attorneys can help you build a viable case to demonstrate that you are disabled and deserve support.
If the SSA denies your SSDI claim, talk to our attorneys in Toledo and the surrounding area about filing an appeal. Many initial claims are rejected, often due to missing information or technical issues. It is important to understand that a rejection is not always because you do not qualify for benefits.
Our lawyers can review the SSA’s decision, identify what went wrong, and help you build a stronger case. We will ensure all deadlines are met and guide you through the four levels of appeal, starting with reconsideration. With legal support, you will have a better chance of presenting the right medical evidence and legal arguments to win benefits.
The SSA rejects many Toledo SSDI claims even when the applicant qualifies for benefits. This can happen due to an oversight within the SSA or when the applicant did not provide sufficient medical evidence.
Whatever the reason for your denial, Schaffer & Associates is here to help. Call us today to discuss your appeal.