Members of the workforce are sometimes faced with a very serious challenge when they develop a disability and can no longer return to work. Those who’ve developed such disabilities, especially after reaching a certain age, will oftentimes apply for Social Security Disability benefits with the assistance of a St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability lawyer. As long as you are someone who qualifies for such benefits and you’ve been working for at least five of the 10 years before developing your disability, you may receive SSD benefits. Continue reading and contact The Dorsey Law Firm to learn more about these benefits and how our firm can guide you through the SSD process.
Do I Need a St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability Lawyer?
When applying for Social Security Disability benefits, it is wise to hire an experienced St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability lawyer, for various reasons. To start, on average, over half of the people who apply for SSD benefits are denied on their first attempt. By hiring a knowledgeable attorney, you increase your chances of receiving such benefits, as our firm can ensure that you (should) qualify and that you submit all of the necessary documentation on time. Additionally, if approved, our firm can finalize your claim, and if your initial claim was denied, we can appeal the denial on your behalf.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Virginia
To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Virginia, you must meet various criteria. First, you must be earning less than the amount specified by the Social Security Administration. From here, you must provide evidence that you have a severe medical condition that prevents you from performing basic work functions for at least one year, and that your medical condition is one recognized on the Social Security Administration’s list of disabling conditions. If your condition is not on the list, you must prove that your condition is at least as serious as the conditions included in the list.
Next, the Social Security Administration will determine whether you are physically capable of performing the work you did before your injury or disability. Finally, the SSA will review various other aspects of your life to determine whether or not you are capable of performing gainful employment in another capacity. As long as you meet these qualifications, you should receive the SSD benefits you need.
What Happens if My SSD Claim is Denied?
If your Social Security Disability claim is denied, our firm can appeal the denial, but we must do so within 60 days of receiving the initial denial of your claim. Once we submit a request for reconsideration, a claims examiner will evaluate all additional evidence you’ve provided in your new claim and from there, determine whether you now qualify for SSD benefits.
If you are still denied benefits, there are additional steps our firm can take, such as requesting a hearing by an administrative law judge to review your claim further. Rather obviously, the SSD claims process can become quite involved, which is why you should not proceed without the assistance of a knowledgeable St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability lawyer.
Contact Our St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability Lawyer
If you are no longer capable of returning to the workforce, our firm is here to help. Contact The Dorsey Law Firm to speak with a knowledgeable St. Mary’s County Social Security Disability lawyer.
