Social Security Disability Benefits

Disabled and unable to work?  We can help you navigate your way through the system, to make sure you receive all of the Social Security Benefits the law entitles you to.

Our mission is to provide our clients with the finest legal representation through zealous advocacy, personal attention, and in-depth knowledge of the Social Security Disability system.
We help people who cannot work by making the Social Security disability system work for them.

What is "disability"?
Simply put, disability under Social Security is the inability to work. However, many people are surprised to learn that disability is not a medical standard, but is rather a legal standard combining medical and vocational considerations. Also, the standard of disability can change depending on age, education, past work, literacy, and other factors. Disability under Social Security is different from other programs that pay only for “total” disability.

Do I qualify?
The main question is whether your health problems prevent you from holding a job. As for the types of health problems that might qualify for Social Security disability, the list is practically endless. Some examples are as follows:

• Mental illness
• Arthritis
• Diabetes
• Breathing problems
• Heart disease
• Back problems
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Fibromyalgia
• Lupus
• Crohn’s/colitis
• Multiple sclerosis

What types of Social Security disability benefits are there? What are SSI and SSDI?
The government decides your benefits based on either your work record or your financial need. Generally speaking, if you’ve worked enough and paid enough in Social Security taxes, you may qualify for Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) if you are found disabled. if you have very limited income and assets, then you may qualify for
Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The medical requirements for both programs are exactly the same.

How do I apply?
Contact Social Security. You will need to provide information on your medical conditions, treatment, medication, and work history. You can apply online at www.ssa.gov, call (800) 772-1213, or visit your local office in person. We can assist our clients with any of these options.

How can a lawyer help?
The system can be overwhelming for those going it alone. Applying for disability benefits can be difficult, and more than two-thirds of people who apply are denied by Social Security. Of those who appeal, roughly 85% are denied. The reality is that the Social Security disability system is fraught with pitfalls and involves thousands of rules, regulations, and procedures. You can be denied benefits if your doctor doesn’t know the legal definition of disability, or if Social Security doesn’t obtain evidence on your behalf. Your case can be dismissed altogether if an appeal is
handled improperly. An experienced attorney who knows the system can help your doctor explain your disability, submit supporting medical evidence, analyze your Social Security file, invoke helpful rules and regulations, prepare your testimony prior to hearing, question witnesses, and cross-examine medical and/or vocational experts who may testify at your hearing regarding your ability to work. When winning means so much, you want experienced legal representation on your side - especially when there’s no fee unless you win.

What can’t a lawyer do for me?
Let’s be clear: No lawyer in the country can push around the federal government, eliminate certain unfortunate delays, or change the law. In other words, the system - for better or worse - is the system. So, while an experienced lawyer can make the system work for you, and can certainly make the difference between winning and losing in
certain cases, your lawyer will have to work within the Social Security disability system to get your case approved.

How can I possibly afford help?
The Law Office of Dean A. Reed, P.A. charges no fee unless we win your case. That means you have nothing to lose and everything to gain: the consultation is risk-free there are no upfront costs, and the attorney fee - generally 25% of the back-pay you receive - gets paid only if you get paid. If The Law Office of Dean A Reed does not win your case, you don’t owe a penny.