Norvelt Social Security Disability Attorneys

Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Norvelt

When you cannot work due to a prolonged or permanent disability caused by injury or illness in Norvelt, you may qualify for Social Security benefits that provide critical financial assistance. However, because the Social Security Administration has strict eligibility criteria for benefits, working with experienced legal counsel can improve your chances of getting approved. Contact Stine & Associates, P.C., today for a free initial case evaluation with a Social Security disability attorney to discuss your legal options for seeking disability benefits from the Social Security program.

Why Choose an SSD Attorney from Stine & Associates, P.C.?

After becoming disabled, Social Security disability benefits can provide you with critical financial support if you cannot work. Hiring legal representation to guide you through the application process can improve your approval chances, making your choice of counsel critical. Turn to Stine & Associates, P.C., to help you seek the disability benefits you need because:

• Attorney Cindy Stine has over 30 years of legal experience advocating for clients seeking financial relief after suffering catastrophic injuries or illnesses.
• We focus on handling injury and disability claims, which allows us to develop extensive knowledge of disability law and the Social Security system.
• Our firm offers free consultations and charges no fee unless we succeed in your Social Security disability benefits claim. Thus, you have no financial risk in working with us to get the financial assistance you need and deserve.

Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) operates two disability benefit programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSDI pays disability benefits to workers who become disabled from employment. A person may qualify for SSDI if they have a sufficient work history, measured in work credits. A person earns work credits by earning a specific amount of income subject to Social Security taxes, with people able to earn up to four work credits per year. Furthermore, most individuals must have worked at least five of the 10 years before their disability to qualify for SSDI. However, younger workers may require less work history to qualify. The SSA pays SSDI benefits based on a recipient’s contributions to the Social Security system.

SSI offers benefits to low-income/asset individuals who become disabled. To qualify for SSI, a person must earn less monthly income than the threshold to qualify. Individuals also must have less than $2,000 ($3,000 for married couples) in countable assets, which exclude a primary residence, household vehicle, household goods, personal items, or tools/equipment used for work/business. SSI pays a fixed monthly benefit, subject to reductions in income, other disability benefits, unemployment compensation, or pensions.

Recipients of Social Security disability benefits can also qualify for Medicare after receiving benefits for two years. However, individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) or end-stage renal disease can qualify sooner.

The Process of Applying for Social Security Disability

You can apply for Social Security disability benefits online through the Social Security Administration’s website or by calling the SSA’s toll-free number to schedule an appointment to complete an application over the phone or at the Social Security office serving Norvelt in Greensburg. A disability benefits application will require various types of information, such as:

• The applicant’s personal information
• The applicant’s medical information and records
• The applicant’s work history
• The applicant’s financial information

The SSA may request additional information from an applicant, such as updated medical records, or ask the applicant to attend a medical examination to provide the agency with more medical information.

The Social Security disability application process determines whether an applicant has a qualifying disability. A medical condition may qualify as a “disability” if it will last at least 12 months or result in the applicant’s death and prevents the applicant from performing “substantial gainful activity,” defined as earning more than a specific threshold of monthly income. Furthermore, the SSA will evaluate whether a medical condition equals or equals the severity of a condition on the SSA’s listing of impairments. Finally, the SSA will consider whether an applicant, given the limitations of their medical condition, can do prior jobs they’ve held or perform other kinds of work based on their education, training, and experience.

What Happens If the Social Security Administration Denies Your Claim?

The Social Security Administration denies the majority of disability benefit applications it receives, as applicants may provide insufficient information to demonstrate their eligibility. However, the SSA offers an appeals process for applicants to challenge the denial of their disability benefits claims. The appeals process involves three stages:

• Reconsideration – Applicants can request reconsideration of their applications; they may submit additional information or documentation to supplement their claims and address deficiencies that led to the initial denial.
• Administrative Hearing – Applicants can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, where they can present evidence, testimony, and arguments to convince the ALJ to rule in their favor.
• Appeals Council Review – When an applicant receives an adverse ruling from an ALJ, they can appeal it to the SSA’s Appeals Council, which may accept review and potentially return the case to the ALJ for reconsideration.

After exhausting the SSA’s administrative appeals process, an applicant can further challenge the denial of their disability benefits claim by filing a lawsuit in federal court.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for Social Security Disability

Applicants can make numerous mistakes that may jeopardize their disability benefits claim. An experienced SSD attorney can help you avoid making critical mistakes such as:

• Submitting inadequate medical information to establish a qualifying disability
• Providing outdated medical information
• Only applying for one program if you qualify for both
• Submitting an incomplete application (e.g., leaving blank fields)
• Failing to respond to the SSA’s requests for additional information
• Not attending a medical exam requested by the SSA
• Not pursuing the appeals process after the SSA initially denies your claim

How Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Help?

Pursuing a Social Security disability benefits claim can become a stressful, time-consuming experience. Hiring an attorney to represent you can relieve the anxiety you may feel when awaiting the approval of your disability benefits claim. A Social Security disability lawyer from Stine & Associates, P.C., can guide you through the disability benefits application process by:

• Thoroughly investigating your case to secure the information and evidence needed to build a robust disability benefits claim
• Sitting down with you to review your legal options, including determining which Social Security disability benefits programs you may qualify for
• Assisting you with completing and filing your benefits application
• Communicating with SSA officials on your behalf to handle requests for supplemental information
• Preparing you for your medical exam if the SSA requests one
• Reviewing the SSA’s notice if it denies your disability benefits application and discussing your legal options
• Pursuing the administrative appeals process to reverse the denial of your application, including gathering and submitting additional information to bolster your claim and advocating on your behalf at hearings

Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Options

After becoming significantly disabled in Norvelt or greater Westmoreland County, you can apply for Social Security disability benefits to obtain financial assistance if you cannot work due to your condition. Contact Stine & Associates, P.C., today for a free, no-obligation consultation with our legal team to learn how we can help you pursue the benefits you need and deserve.