Social Security Disability Lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida

When Do You Need A Jacksonville Disability Attorney

Social Security Disability benefits are federally provided insurance that helps people that are physically or mentally unable to support themselves. There are strict requirements to be approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), so it is important to avoid mistakes when applying.

The first mistake is not realizing that you are disabled. There are many disabilities that do not require the use of a wheelchair, crutches or any other visible disability equipment. 

If your body is physically healthy but you need time to recover from an accident, surgery, mental illness or emotional trauma, these can all be considered disabilities by Social Security Disability Insurance.

Contact a disability attorney to discuss your medical condition. They can evaluate your case and determine the best ways to handle this challenging situation. A lawyer can help you understand the process and improve your chances of establishing entitlement to monetary benefits.

Some of the disabling conditions for which you can apply for the social security benefits in Jacksonville are as follows:

• Hearing Loss
• Anemia
• Lupus
• Depression
• Intellectual Disability
• Autism
• Blind Disability

The Application Should Be Accurately Filed

One of the most common mistakes in applying for Social Security Disability benefits is providing inaccurate information. The application needs to be completely and truthfully filled out, including all income details from the required number of years.

If a mistake is made, one should immediately notify Social Security so that it can be corrected. Otherwise, there might be future issues with one’s case which cannot be fixed later on down the line. In some cases, there are even criminal charges against those who knowingly provide false information.

Another thing to avoid when filing for SSDI or SSI is being late with the application. In order to prevent any legal issues, it is best to file as soon as one notices that they cannot work. If a person misses a deadline, their chances of being approved for benefits may decrease or even become nonexistent.

A Few Common Mistakes To Avoid A Claim Denial

According to some sources, the rate of claims being denied by the SSA has increased by nearly fifty percent in recent years. If you delve deeper, you will find several mistakes common among applicants. 

Knowing these common mistakes may keep you from making errors yourself. Discussed below are several errors that you should try to avoid when filing for a disability claim. 

1. Inaccurate medical details 

Providing inaccurate medical information is another common mistake. This includes faking symptoms or lying about the effects of a condition. Many people do this in order to get money, however it is important to realize that fraud can lead to criminal prosecution. Not only this, but providing false information will reflect negatively on one’s case if they are ever approved for benefits in the future.

You should provide the SSA with medical documentation that includes:

• Name, address, and other contact details
• Date of each medical visits
• Records of the diagnosis, treatment and medication that you are taking
• Laboratory test results, if there are any
• Records of physicians, hospitals, and caseworkers you have sought treatment from

Your medical documentation that you provide to SSA should describe your ailment and the way it impacts your capacity to work. Speak the truth about your condition and your clinical history. Retaining data or distorting your situation may not just lead to a denied claim.

2. Inaccurate employment records

Another common mistake is not reporting all earned income or omitting part-time jobs. The Social Security Administration needs to know what you have earned over past years to determine your eligibility for benefits.  If omitted, the chance of being approved for benefits decreases. There are two different types of earning tests you may need to go through if you claim benefits.

• The first is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) test. As of 2021, If someone works and has earnings of more than $1,310 per month ($2,190 for Blindness), he or she may be automatically denied benefits. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as if one’s disability prevents him or her from working for twelve months or longer. 
• The second type of test is referred to as Trial Work Periods (TWP). This may allow an individual who has received SSDI/SSI benefits in the past to work without losing their eligibility. They must still file reports on the income that they earn during this period however.

Every applicant needs to remember that making these common mistakes could lead to denials which ultimately hurts their chances of receiving benefits in the future. To prevent this, it is best to consult an experienced Disability attorney who can guide one through the process and avoid mistakes that could potentially cost them their benefits.

3. Waiting too long

Many mistakes are made by filing too late for Social Security Disability benefits. A lot of applicants are unsure of how to properly apply or where to file. This leads many people to delay the process which can have negative implications on their case, especially if they never go through with it at all. 

It is important for everyone who feels that they may be disabled to apply as soon as possible after becoming unable to work, rather than waiting until their condition worsens.

Any applicant who believes that he or she may be disabled should consult a Jacksonville social security disability lawyer before applying in order to avoid any common mistakes that could potentially hurt one’s chances of being approved. The sooner the application is filed, the greater chance one has of their case getting approved.

4. Learn about appealing 

Seasoned veterans of the disability claims process know that not everyone who applies for Social Security disability benefits will be approved.  It’s just a fact of life for an applicant, and it can be hard to confront.

Do not take this news as a reason to throw in the towel! You can still fight for your benefit, even if you are not sure why the initial application was denied. Just because they said no one does not mean they have to say no again, especially if new evidence exists that you did not submit during the first round of claims filing.

For example, if your doctor releases more medical records or test results, get them to the SSA before the time limit expires on requesting an appeal; this could be enough proof to sway their decision in your favor.

How Can Jacksonville Disability Lawyers Guide You? 

If you are thinking that a lawyer is going to cost too much, you can stop right there.  Applying for Social Security disability benefits is free. Hiring a lawyer with experience in disability cases will not be, but if they win your case the money you will have spent will far outweigh any other options.

This process can be complicated, so do not try to work through it alone.  The SSA has to adhere to rules regarding the kind of information that is submitted with an application, so do not waste time trying to find ways around their strict requirements. 

Let a professional help you file your appeal instead of taking unnecessary risks with your claim details. Experienced disability lawyers will be able to help because they know precisely where to go, what to do, and who to speak with.