Lenoir Social Security Disability Lawyer

Lenoir Social Security Disability Attorney

Whether you have had an accident, a chronic condition, or other circumstances that have rendered you unable to work, you are likely entitled to receive social security disability benefits. In North Carolina, there are government services designed to protect you and ensure that you can continue to meet your basic needs, such as housing, food, and medical care.

The North Carolina social security programs, and the social security disability law in general, can be particularly difficult to navigate on your own. Having a social security disability attorney in Lenoir is highly recommended to make sure that you get the benefits and protections that you deserve.

What Is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program that provides financial assistance to people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have a low income and few assets. SSI is funded by general tax revenues and is available to people who meet the program’s eligibility requirements, regardless of whether they have worked or paid into the Social Security system.

Am I Eligible for SSI?

You may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have a low income and few assets. To determine if you are eligible for SSI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will consider several factors, including:

• Your Age: You must be aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled to be eligible for SSI.
• Your Citizenship Status: You must be a U.S. citizen or national, or a qualified noncitizen, to be eligible for SSI.
• Your Income: Your income must be below a certain level to be eligible for SSI. The SSA will consider all sources of income, including wages, self-employment income, and any other money you receive, such as gifts or alimony.
• Your Assets: You must have few assets to be eligible for SSI. The SSA will consider things like your bank accounts, stocks, and real estate when determining your eligibility.

How Are My SSI Benefits Calculated?

Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are based on your financial need. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a formula to calculate your SSI payment, which is based on your income and assets. The amount of money you can receive from SSI depends on your financial need and the cost of living in your area. SSI payments are adjusted each year to reflect changes in the cost of living.

What Is Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program that provides financial assistance to people who are unable to work due to a disability. SSDI is funded through payroll taxes. It is available to workers who have paid into the Social Security system through their taxes and who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

In addition to providing financial assistance, SSDI also includes work incentives that allow you to try working while still receiving some benefits. This can help you transition back into the workforce if your disability improves.

Am I Eligible for SSDI?

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have a medical condition that is expected to last for at least one year or result in death.
• You must have worked long enough and recently enough to have paid into the Social Security system through your taxes. The amount of work required depends on your age when you became disabled.
• Your disability must be severe enough that it prevents you from doing any substantial work.

If you believe you may be eligible for SSDI, you can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office. However, it is best to hire a social security disability attorney before doing so. They can make sure that you have the necessary paperwork and qualifications to have the best chance at receiving benefits.

How SSDI Benefits Are Calculated

Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are based on your average lifetime earnings before you became disabled. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a formula to calculate your SSDI payment, which is based on the amount of money you earned and the amount of Social Security taxes you paid over the course of your career.

The SSA calculates your average lifetime earnings by examining your highest-earning 35 years in the workforce. If you do not have 35 years of earnings, the SSA will use the number of years you do have and zero out the rest.

The amount of money you receive from SSDI will depend on your average lifetime earnings as well as the severity of your disability. If you have a severe disability, you may be entitled to receive a higher payment.

Additional Monthly Benefits for Disabled Workers

In addition to the monthly benefits paid to a disabled worker through the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program, there are also some other benefits that may be available. These include:

• Dependent Benefits: If you are receiving SSDI and have a spouse and/or children who are also eligible for benefits, they may be able to receive a portion of your SSDI benefits as well.
• Medicare: If you have received SSDI benefits for two years, you may be eligible for Medicare, which is a national health insurance program that helps cover the costs of medical care.
• Work Incentives: SSDI includes work incentives that allow you to try working while still receiving some benefits. This can help you transition back into the workforce if your disability improves.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: If you receive SSDI and want to return to work, you may be able to get help through the “Ticket to Work” program, which provides access to vocational rehabilitation services such as job training and job placement assistance.

You should speak with a disability social security lawyer for more information about the benefits that may be available to you.

What Criteria Does the SSA Use to Assess My Disability?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific process to determine whether an individual is disabled and eligible for disability benefits. The SSA considers a number of factors when making this determination, including the nature and severity of the individual’s medical condition, their age, education, and work experience, and their ability to perform work-related activities.

To determine if an individual is disabled, the SSA follows a five-step evaluation process:

1. Is the individual currently working and earning above a certain amount? If so, they are not considered disabled.
2. Is the individual’s medical condition severe? A severe medical condition is one that significantly limits the individual’s ability to perform basic work-related activities.
3. Does the individual’s medical condition meet or equal a listed impairment? The SSA has a list of impairments that are considered so severe that they automatically qualify an individual for disability benefits.
4. Can the individual do the work they did before? If an individual can return to their previous job despite their medical condition, they are not considered disabled.
5. Can the individual do any other type of work? If an individual is unable to return to their previous job but can perform other work, they are not deemed to be disabled.

If the individual is unable to work due to their medical condition at any point in this process, they will be considered disabled and may be eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security Disability Law FAQs

Q: What is the average disability payment in North Carolina?

A: The estimated average monthly disability payment granted by SSDI to disabled employees starting in 2019 was around $1,234, which is insufficient to protect someone from falling below the poverty line. The majority of several claimants’ income comes from their monthly disability payout. Consulting a social security disability attorney can help you determine if you may be eligible for further benefits.

Q: Is it hard to get disability in North Carolina?

A: The process of applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in North Carolina, or any other state, can be complex and may take some time. The SSA uses a five-step process to determine if you are eligible for SSDI. If you are not found to be disabled at any step, your application will be denied.

Q: How long does it take for disability to be approved in North Carolina?

A: The application process for SSDI in North Carolina can take some time. The length of time it takes to receive a decision on your SSDI application will depend on various factors, including the complexity of your case and the amount of evidence you need to provide. On average, it can take anywhere from three to six months to receive a decision on your SSDI application.

Q: What is the most approved disability?

A: There is no single “most-approved” disability for the SSDI program. Some of the medical conditions that are commonly approved for SSDI include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Cardiovascular disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Neurological disorders
• Mental disorders

It is important to note that each disability case is evaluated on an individual basis, and the specific medical conditions that are approved for SSDI can vary widely.

Contact a Trusted Social Security Disability Lawyer Today

Our attorneys at Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, are experienced and knowledgeable about the disability application process in Lenoir County. We have a history of success in helping clients obtain disability benefits. Get in touch with our office in Lenoir to learn more today.