An unexpected illness or serious injury that leaves you disabled can create immediate financial hardships for you and your family. You may be entitled to benefits under the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits program. A Lincoln County, NC, Social Security disability lawyer can help you by ensuring you qualify for the program and that your application is carefully worded and backed by supporting medical evidence.
If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, the Law Office of Lyndon Helton can provide the legal support you need. We understand you cannot afford SSDI delays or rejections. SSDI is not welfare. Like other workers, you pay into the federal program. When it’s time to claim those benefits, having legal representation can greatly improve your chances for a successful outcome.
By retaining our legal services, you can have a trusted law firm that can handle your claim or appeal. We can contact your doctors to secure all the evidence we need to support your claim. When you’re dealing with a serious financial hardship, you will not have to worry about legal fees. When we secure benefits for you, our fees can be paid at that time.
SSDI benefits are managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). To qualify for SSDI, applicants must show that they meet work history requirements. This demonstrates that you paid into the federal system. An attorney can help you gather payroll tax information to prove that you meet this requirement. You must also show that you are medically eligible for benefits under the federal program. Qualifying illnesses and conditions could include:
The SSA reviews applications to determine whether the applicant has earned enough work credits based on their age and employment history. Younger applicants may need fewer credits than older workers. The SSA also evaluates the medical records submitted with the application. Anyone who does not qualify for SSDI benefits in Lincoln County may qualify for Supplemental Security Income if they are low earners.
SSDI benefits come in monthly payments to individuals who are no longer able to work. The amount you may be eligible for is based on your lifetime earnings after you become disabled. This approach ensures payments reflect what you are currently earning and would have earned had you not developed a disability.
One major benefit of qualifying for SSDI is Medicare eligibility. You may become eligible for Medicare 24 months after you begin receiving disability benefits. Medicare coverage can help pay for hospital stays, medical treatments, and important prescriptions. Certain family members may qualify for extra financial support.
The application process for SSDI benefits is complex. Many applications are denied due to missing paperwork or insufficient medical evidence. Any minor error made on the application could lead to setbacks. Having the support and help of a disability lawyer can greatly improve your chances for a successful application.
Your attorney can carefully draft and review your application to ensure it addresses the many requirements for eligibility. An attorney can also supplement the application with the medical evidence needed to qualify for SSDI benefits. If your application is denied, the appeals process can be daunting without legal help.
An attorney can request that the SSA reconsider your application. They can represent you at hearings where they present evidence and legal arguments before an administrative law judge. In these situations, the burden is on the applicant to prove their eligibility, which makes legal representation all the more important.
Yes, an attorney can help you get disability benefits. Having legal representation can greatly help your chances of receiving compensation from the federal government. The application process for these benefits can be complicated. Your lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need for your claim and review your application to ensure it is complete and meets the eligibility standards.
No condition guarantees approval of disability benefits, but some are more likely to qualify than others. Severe illnesses like end-stage cancer, ALS, and advanced heart failure often meet the criteria quickly. The Compassionate Allowances program fast-tracks cases for serious medical conditions. Having strong medical evidence increases the chances of receiving approval.
The five-year rule for Social Security Disability Insurance states that you must have worked five of the last 10 years before becoming disabled to qualify for benefits. If too much time has passed, you may not meet work credit requirements. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) does not have this rule. If you lose eligibility due to work history gaps, you may need to explore alternative benefits or reapply if you return to work and earn enough credits.
The process for a disability case varies, even with a lawyer. Initial decisions take six to eight months. If denied, appeals can take months or years. A lawyer helps avoid delays and build a strong case. Hearing-level appeals often take over a year, depending on the backlog. Having legal representation increases the likelihood of approval at every stage of the process.
To qualify for disability in North Carolina, you must have a severe medical condition that prevents full-time work. The condition must last at least 12 months or be terminal. The SSA reviews medical records, work history, and functional limitations. Work credits are required for SSDI, while SSI is need-based. Providing thorough medical documentation and evidence of limitations can strengthen your claim.
Social Security disability benefits can reduce the financial strain you are under. With legal representation from Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, you can apply for benefits with confidence. We have helped many ill or disabled clients in Burke, Lincoln, Catawba, and Caldwell Counties secure the benefits they needed. We can do the same for you. Contact our office today to schedule your consultation so we can begin the application process.