San Antonio Disability Lawyer

If you no longer have the ability to work full time because of a medical condition and are seeking or considering seeking Social Security disability or supplemental income benefits in Texas, contact a San Antonio disability lawyer in our office meticulously prepares and submits the elaborate and cumbersome initial application for clients as well as representing them at all levels of the appeals process if the Social Security Administration (SSA) i denies their claim.

Our overall, full-service approach right from the start in these matters is to craft the most sophisticated and all-encompassing legal strategy for winning disability benefits for our clients in compliance with SSA protocols. Call Chermol & Fishman, LLC, today at 888-774-7243 to schedule a free case evaluation.

How Can a San Antonio Disability Lawyer Help You?

The application process can be complicated and confusing with many potential and inadvertent glitches that can lead to a denial of benefits by a Social Security bureaucrat. In protecting your disability rights and providing claim assistance, the San Antonio disability attorneys can take this burden off your shoulders by professionally and efficiently handling your application from start to finish, including compiling all the necessary documentation and in so doing, lay the groundwork for a successful appeal, if that becomes necessary.

If your case goes to a Social Security administrative law judge, a Disability Lawyer will thoroughly prepare for the hearing and be by your side the entire way. Our focus, however, is to win the case as quickly as possible.

Founder and managing partner David Chermol was himself as a high-level Social Security Attorney for 10 years. His vast knowledge of agency procedures is reflected in the work of each attorney at Chermol & Fishman, LLC, many of whom were also top-tier officials in the Social Security Administration and know the ins and outs of the entire process. In the context of the legal support that we provide, that’s why our firm’s motto is “Experience from the Inside, Now on Your Side.”

What Disabilities Does a San Antonio Disability Lawyer Handle?

Almost any serious condition or illness is potentially disabling, but convincing the SSA that you qualify for benefits is another matter entirely. An impairment must be carefully described such that it fits within one of the SSA’s accepted and technical definitions of a disabling injury, illness, or condition. A San Antonio Disability Attorney has the skills and background to authenticate a disability in a way that will be convincing to the agency when it reviews a claimant’s application materials and can result in benefit approval.

To meet the SSA”s definition of disability, a claimant must be unable “to engage in any substantial gainful employment (SGA) because of a medically determinable physical or mental disability(ies) that is either expected to result in death or has lasted or is expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.”

The list of disabilities that comes within the purview of the legal advice of a San Antonio Disability Lawyer is vast. Disabling injuries/conditions can include, but not in any way limited to, the following:

Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia
Anxiety disorder
Back and neck pain
Blindness
Cancer
Chronic fatigue
Chronic headaches and migraines
Depression
Diabetes
Heart conditions/Heart disease
Mobility issues
Multiple Sclerosis
PTSD
Schizophrenia
Traumatic brain injuries
Whiplash

Please review our case results page for a snapshot of the success of our disability lawyers in San Antonio, Texas, in winning benefits for clients as a result of the firm’s legal expertise in disability cases.

San Antonio Disability Benefits: SSDI vs. SSI

The Social Security Administration pays Social Security benefits through two different programs. One is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and another is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Both programs help disabled people by providing monetary aid that is issued on a regular basis. These payments allow the disabled to make up for medical expenses, lost work wages, and other expected and unexpected living costs.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

The SSA helps disabled individuals by providing monetary benefits through the program of SSDI, which is delivered based on several critical factors. All disability beneficiaries receive SSDI benefits until they recover and return to normal work. Some recipients, however, may receive benefits for their lifetimes. In order to receive benefits, an applicant must prove a total disability that is severe and lasting. Significant medical and work documentation and information are required. A Disability Attorney in San Antonio can significantly help streamline this process.

What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Disability Benefits In San Antonio?

You are typically eligible for disability benefits if you have a recognized disability and you have sufficient Social Security work history.

The latter generally means that you must have worked for at least five of the last 10 years to qualify, tha you amassed a sufficient number of work credits, and that the disabling condition, as detailed above, will last or is expected to last for at least 12 months. A San Antonio Disability Attorney can work closely with you to authenticate your eligibility.

If you want to pursue SSDI benefits, you must first have paid into Social Security taxes over the course of your work history. The SSA will review your work history and assign you work credits. You can receive up to four work credits per year.
The number of work credits varies depending on your working tenure and the time at which you became disabled. If you are younger, you typically require fewer work credits to qualify. In general, however, a claimant needs 40 work credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years, to be eligible. Each situation can be fact-sensitive and nuanced, however, so It is important that you consult a lawyer with substantial mastery of this specialty to understand your best chance of getting approved for SSDI.

You and your trusted San Antonio lawyer must consider the following when applying for SSDI

During the period you are disabled and unable to work, you can receive SSDI. However, if you are still able to work to a substantial degree, the SSA will not provide you with benefits. You will have to earn under a certain monthly amount to receive and to continue to receive benefits.
You will not be able to get any benefits unless you are able to provide definite proof of your debilitating condition. Make sure to ask your doctor to provide all required medical documentation as records. You must meet all the defined criteria of ‘total disability’ guidelines in order to qualify for monthly benefits.
Before you claim SSDI, ensure that you are unable to engage in any work. The SSA will examine your medical documents in detail and check your work history to determine whether you have specific skills to perform different types of work. Even if you are disabled, you may still be able to work in some capacity.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is slightly different from SSDI. The SSA administrators will keep a close eye on each disabled person’s financial situations and conditions when evaluating SSI applicants. Disabled people with low income and limited resources may qualify for both SSI and SSDI.
By contacting an attorney, you can quickly learn the complete details of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Your income should be minimal and your total assets should have a relatively low value.

Before applying for SSI, consider the eligibility criteria:

SSI is provided to blind people, people who are over 65-years old, and people who are disabled. Besides submitting medical reports to prove your disability, you need documents that show your monthly salary, your assets, and other financial factors relevant to your claim.

Your attorney can inform you of any additional paperwork required.

In accordance with the SSA’s definition of disability, you must prove that you have a total disability. As alluded to above, this type of condition is defined as one that will last for at least 12 months, is expected to last for 12 months, or is expected to lead to death. If you can prove you meet this definition of disability, and cannot work substantially, you must then prove your income and assets.
Various income streams will be considered. Your assets are also evaluated, but your residential property is not taken into account.

Reasons to Apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) Benefits in San Antonio

Many situations can lead to you becoming physically or mentally disabled. This can stop you from returning to your healthy life for many years. In some cases, disability is permanent. Thus, it is best that you apply and file your claim for social security benefits as soon as you become disabled. The SSA could be your lifeline if you’re suffering from a disabling condition.
Remember, you may also be struggling with medical expenses. Your family may depend on you. You may have no income whatsoever. You may be dealing with emotional and psychological issues as well. If your condition is affecting others, and not just yourself, you should definitely apply for SSD benefits.

How to I Qualify for Social Security Disability in San Antonio

Contact an experienced SSD Attorney who San Antonio residents use and trust. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the process, you should consult freely with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the disability claim process. Your disability lawyer can explain each step needed to apply for benefits.
Without wasting any time and effort, moreover, you can file your claim and pursue Social Security disability benefits efficiently. With a reputable San Antonio SSD attorney , you can minimize the common mistakes and pitfalls that other claimants encounter.
Before you apply online or visit your Social Security office in San Antonio, make sure you know the details. Consult a lawyer with experience with and knowledge about the process first. If you are not in a condition to visit, you can still get in touch by phone or online

In rendering claims assistance, your attorney will ensure that you do the following:

Complete every section of the application correctly and fully. You will have to provide required information, such as your name, address, social security number, as well specific details about your medical condition. The SSA’s Adult Disability Starter Kit contains more information. Be sure to save the application number after correctly filing your claim.
Keep all your records in a safe, or organized place. If you appeal a denial, the SSA may ask you to provide more information during the hearing in court. If you have questions, you should not hesitate to contact a Social Security Disability Lawyer in San Antonio, preferably before submitting the application.
Once you complete the necessary procedures, you may be able to submit your application online instantly. However, do remember to keep a copy of all files by printing them out as a backup.
Remember, disability can be difficult for anyone. It can devastate an otherwise normal, healthy, and happy life. It can irreparably change living situations for spouses and children.

This is why you should contact a Social Security Disability Attorney that San Antonio residents have come to trust. By following all the guidelines and effective methods, your disability lawyer can help you obtain the benefits that you need.

What if my disability claim is denied in San Antonio?

If you receive a SSDI denial letter, you still have options; it is in no way game over. The starting point in the appeals process is to formally request a reconsideration of your claim within 60 days of the notice of denial. At this level, a different SSA official will review your application from scratch. If that additional review is not successful, you have the right to escalate the claim to a disability hearing before an SSA administrative law judge and then to the SSA’s Appeals Council if you disagree with the judge’s decision. In the event that all administrative remedies in a disability appeal have been exhausted, and the result is still unsatisfactory, you can take your claim to federal court.

The full gamut of legal expertise and litigation skill in the toolkit of Social Security disability lawyers in San Antonio, Texas, is crucial in effectively contesting a claims denial. Rest assured that each qualified attorney at Chermol & Fishman, LLC, will meticulously guide your application through the various levels of appeal, and if your claim is denied at every step of the administrative process, we can sue the federal government in court to force SSA to abandon its erroneous decision

How much does it cost to hire a San Antonio Disability Attorney?

For attorney services provided by Chermol & Fishman, LLC, regarding SSDI claims, there are no upfront legal fees. For most disability claims, we generally receive 25 percent of past due benefits, or $7,200, whichever is less, which will be spelled out in a written fee agreement before you sign. If a case goes to federal court be adjudicated, the fee is 25 percent.

Contact Our San Antonio Disability Lawyers at Chermol & FIshman, LLC

If you or a family are in need of legal services to obtain disability benefits from the Social Security Administration, contact the San Antonio-based law firm of Chermol & Fishman, LLC., for a free initial consultation about your benefits eligibility.

San Antonio Disability Lawyer in our firm diligently handles SSDI and SSI claims at every level, administrative and judicial, for clients in San Antonio and even throughout the United States. Again there are no legal fees unless we win disability benefits for you.