Lancaster Disability Lawyer

Need Legal Help? Connect with a Lanchester Disability Attorney

A medical condition can prevent an individual’s ability to engage in normal activities of daily living and maintain gainful employment. Shocking data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that around 61 million people live with a disability in the United States.

A disabling condition impacts their quality of life and limits their abilities. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has programs for individuals living with a disability to seek benefits for their condition.  The two primary programs administered by SSA are Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

In order to receive benefits, you must first establish entitlement by proving that you are eligible for one or both programs. We have outlined a thorough guide below to answer some questions related to Social Security disability programs. For more information, you can contact a legal professional with experience in disability law to discuss the criteria and qualifications.

To receive Social Security disability benefits, an applicant will have to meet initial qualifying criteria and have  a diagnosis of a disabling condition that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months, or result in death. Around 10 million people were awarded Social Security benefits in 2019, whereas benefits for 870,827 workers were terminated, usually due to receiving income from work.

It is important to understand and follow the criteria for qualification established by the authorities at SSA to get approved for disability benefits. Speaking of Pennsylvania, 5.5% of Pennsylvania residents aged 18–64 were disability beneficiaries as of 2019. 

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

• Diabetes
• Hearing impairment
• Arthritis
• Vertigo
• COPD
• Presumptive

Eligibility Criteria for Qualifying Disability Benefits In Lanchester

Let us understand the definition of disabled and disability in the context of Social Security. The law defines disability as the inability to perform and engage in substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.

The reason for the limitation could be due to a physical condition or a mental impairment. Those who may not be entitled to SSDI could still be entitled to Lancaster SSI.

Contact an attorney for assistance with your disability claim if any of the following apply to you:

• You are unable to perform the work that you were doing before because of a medical condition. 
• You cannot perform any other type of work because of limitations caused by the medical condition. 
• Your situation is complex and the disability has lasted for at least 12 months. 
• The situation is expected to last and is impacting your ability to live a normal life. 

Applicants should note that the SSA does not provide benefits for short-term or partial disabilities. If you meet the criteria of a long-term disability, you may be entitled to benefits.

The SSA will verify your disability and require you to submit medical documentation in support of your claim for disability benefits. They may even ask you to undergo a specific test to evaluate your condition further. 

What Medical Conditions Qualify For Disability?

Many applicants are confused and look for guidance from a skilled Lancaster social security disability attorney to understand the conditions and qualifications for disability benefits. You can always reach out to an expert to get all your doubts cleared up.

Alternatively, you can also check the Blue Book, which contains a list of impairments. The Social Security Administration examiners use the Blue Book to determine whether eligibility criteria has been met.

Various medical conditions with detailed requirements have been listed in the Blue Book. The Book is further divided into two parts:

• Part A – Part A is dedicated to adult disability assessments 
• Part B – The second part is dedicated to childhood disability assessments 

Both parts are further divided into different disability sections that contain the criteria necessary for each of the listed medical conditions. If your condition matches the listing, there is a better chance of getting directly approved for disability benefits.

Are All Medical Conditions Listed In The Blue Book?

Before proceeding with the application process, applicants should note that all medical conditions are not listed in the Blue Book. You can still be approved for benefits even if the medical condition is not listed in the Blue Book.

In this case, the SSA will consider the severity of your condition and how it limits your abilities to perform various physical tasks. Applicants can consult a skilled Lancaster social security disability lawyer for more information and assistance with filling out the application.

Different types of Social Security Disability Programs – Applicants should be familiar with both programs offered by the Social Security Administration. The eligibility criteria and qualifications differ in both programs. Here, we have provided a brief overview of each program to help you understand and choose the one you may be eligible for.

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) – This program is available to individuals with a qualifying work history and paid into the Social Security fund through payroll taxes. Under this program, an individual’s work credits will be considered to evaluate eligibility. One should note that only adults over the age of 18 are considered for this program. Children who are disabled will not be considered for SSDI. They would be considered for the other program, SSI. 
2. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) – The other type of program is SSI. SSI does not require work credits and a qualifying work history for eligibility. It will instead consider your income and earning capacity to determine eligibility. If you are beyond the income and asset threshold, your application may be denied, but certain qualifying expenses could reduce your calculated assets. When you have fewer resources and less income, there is a better chance that your application will be approved. You can discuss this with a Lancaster disability lawyer to proceed with the claim further. 

Be it SSDI or SSI, you will be required to submit your medical evidence to claim the benefits. Without proper medical evidence, your application may get denied. Lack of medical evidence and an incomplete application form can affect your chances of being approved. You can rely on a Lancaster disability lawyer for all the paperwork. 

Therefore, one should consider consulting a reputable lawyer to proceed with the claim. They are well-equipped with knowledge of the process and can handle the details on your behalf. Before commencing the application, they can review your application and help you understand your chances of getting approved.

Contact a Lancaster social security disability lawyer and rely on us to protect your legal rights. It will be an ideal choice to have a legal professional by your side to file the claim.