Social security is a type of social assistance that helps millions of people across the country. This assistance is a direct payment from the government agency known as the Social Security Administration (SSA).
Created in 1935 by President Franklin Roosevelt, the SSA has originally titled the Social Security Board (SSB). The main purpose of the SSB was to administer the Social Security Act.
This Act provided three primary benefits. First, it offered insurance for elders. Second, it provided compensation for the unemployed. Third, the Social Security Act designated public assistance titles to special groups. The SSB was the apparatus for this Act.
Social Security Disability (SSD) Attorney Reading
In 1946, the Social Security Board (SSB) was abolished and The Social Security Administration (SSA) was created. The Social Security Administration (SSA) assumed all roles and functions of the SSB. Since that time, the SSA has provided social assistance programs to the millions of Americans need and deserve these benefits.
If you need assistance, you are not alone. Every month, a number of qualified Reading citizens receive social security benefits.
These benefits are important for several reasons. Social security benefits help individuals and families struggling with poverty. These benefits also aid disabled persons who are unable to work. Social security benefits can be life-changing for certain recipients.
Where Do Social Security Benefits Come From?
- When a person receives benefits, those benefits are coming from a number of different sources. Social Security is funded mostly by national payroll taxes that are taken out of the paychecks of everyone who works. The money also comes from interest income earned by the Social Security Trust Fund.
- Overall, Social Security is an important American social safety net. You and your family may be eligible for this incredible support. If you are eligible, you should apply immediately. If you are unsure about eligibility, contact the SSA today.
- It is also recommended that you reach out to a top social security disability attorney. A good lawyer understands the many nuances of social security law.
What Can Disability Lawyers Do?
- The Social Security Disability Attorneys Reading relies on can help their clients meet the SSA’s criteria. The SSA relies on a number of strict requirements to approve or deny applicants. A social security claimant must demonstrate medical and vocational impairments.
- In order to receive disability benefits, a claimant should apply to one of two disability programs. In rare cases, a disabled worker may be able to receive benefits from both social security programs. A disability lawyer can advise a claimant in applying to these programs.
The social security disability programs include
- The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, and
- The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program
Contacting A SSD Lawyer in Reading
- Since the process of obtaining federal disability insurance involves navigating both federal and state bureaucracies, you need an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney Reading has hired with a proven track record.
- The legal experts at Chermol & Fishman understand the intricacies of Pennsylvania disability law and have worked with Pennsylvania Disability Determination Services for years. They are also familiar with the judges and court staff who play important roles in all Reading Social Security Disability Insurance cases. They will fight tirelessly to secure your disability claim.
Contacting A SSD Lawyer in Reading
- Since the process of obtaining federal disability insurance involves navigating both federal and state bureaucracies, you need an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney Reading has hired with a proven track record.
- The legal experts at Chermol & Fishman understand the intricacies of Pennsylvania disability law and have worked with Pennsylvania Disability Determination Services for years. They are also familiar with the judges and court staff who play important roles in all Reading Social Security Disability Insurance cases. They will fight tirelessly to secure your disability claim.
- Your Reading disability attorney will work directly for you and will not answer to any government agency.
- It is your disability attorney’s responsibility to help you gather evidence to support your case, keep you updated on your case’s progress using easy to understand language and file your paperwork with the proper authorities in a timely fashion.
- With the legal team at Chermol & Fishman on your side, you will always know where your Reading Social Security Disability Insurance application stands.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- The SSDI program awards benefits based on an applicant’s disability and work history. In order to qualify, a disabled claimant must demonstrate a severe disability that prevents substantial work. The claimant must also prove a work history to qualify.
- In proving work history, an applicant must have a certain number of ‘work credits.’ As of 2019, you will receive one work credit for every $1,360 earned. However, you can only receive a maximum of four credits annually, or the equivalent of $5,440 per year.
- The SSA has special rules for farm work, domestic work and church work.
- The amount of work credits required to receive benefits varies. Your age of disability onset affects the amount of credits required. If you became disabled at an older age, you will generally need more work credits to qualify for social security disability benefits.
- The SSDI program also relies on an important definition of disability. The SSA assesses applications on the basis of total disability only. Part-time and short-term disabilities do not qualify. You will learn this at any Social Security Office Reading PA uses.
- However, the qualifying disability must be more than a total disability. When determining if an applicant is eligible, the SSA will evaluate if a medical disability, or group of disabilities, is severe and lasting.
Adults age 18 or older must demonstrate a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that:
- Prevents the worker from engaging in any substantial gainful activity (SGA)
- Is expected to lead to death
- Has already lasted for a continuous period of one year or is expected to last for a continuous period of one year
Substantial gainful activity is considered any work activity that results in a certain monthly payment amount. If a disability applicant meets or exceeds this amount, he or she is determined ‘not disabled’ by the SSA.
Disability criteria for children are slightly different. For a child to qualify for disability benefits, he or she must also have an impairment that is severe. Additionally, this medical condition, or group of conditions, must cause “marked and severe functional limitations.”
The SSA will assess the “marked” and “severe” effects of the disability based on multiple areas of functioning. The SSA generally approves Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for applicants who can meet these disability criteria.
However, the criteria for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are not the same.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- In order to qualify for SSI, a social security applicant must be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled. The applicant must also demonstrate limited income and limited resources. Unlike SSDI, the SSI program does not require a work credit history.
- Nonetheless, SSI claimants must prove that they do not earn beyond a certain monthly amount. Furthermore, applicants must prove that their assets do not total beyond a certain amount. For individuals and children, assets should not total over $2,000.
- As of 2019, an individual should not earn more than $771 per month to qualify for SSI. However, not all income is countable. Moreover, not all assets are countable. Applicants for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) should consult with a lawyer concerning these values.
- Overall, disability insurance can be complex and difficult for a layperson to understand. The social security process is complicated by a number of criteria. There are also numerous different types of physical and mental conditions.
- This is why hiring a top disability lawyer is so important.
- Many applicants fail to recognize all of the factors involved. One’s eligibility for these disability programs is ultimately determined by a range of factors.
These factors include:
-
- Your current age
- The long-term prognosis for your condition
- How you became disabled
- When you became disabled
- Where you became disabled; and
- The length of time you worked before becoming disabled
Your disability attorney will ensure that you can answer all of these questions. A top social security lawyer will also seek all necessary documentation. Before you visit a Reading Social Security Office, you should consult a legal expert who understands the process.
When applying for social security disability benefits, you must be prepared for the process. Assuming your application isn’t initially denied, it will go through multiple stages. Both the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Pennsylvania Disability Determination Services will assess your application.
If your application is denied at any stage, you have the right to appeal. Contact a top attorney to help you through all four stages of the appeals process, if necessary.