SSA denies most initial disability applications. If you’ve received a denial letter, or if you haven’t filed yet and aren’t sure whether you qualify, the right next step is a free consultation with an attorney who knows the process. Hiring representation early means your evidentiary record is built correctly from the start, not rebuilt after a denial. 

Request a free consultation or call us today. 

Representing Roswell and North Fulton County Claimants 

Keener Law represents Social Security disability claimants in Roswell, Georgia, a historic North Fulton County city incorporated in 1854, home to more than 95,000 residents. Roswell is not Sandy Springs, not a generic Atlanta suburb, and not interchangeable with the broader metro. Its Historic District, Roswell Mill area, Canton Street corridor, and established neighborhoods have their own character, their own employers, and their own workforce patterns that shape who files disability claims here and why. 

The area around Roswell has a significant base of long-tenured employees from legacy employers like Kimberly-Clark, Verizon, and Avanos Medical, as well as a substantial professional and manufacturing workforce. Back injuries, occupational injuries, degenerative conditions, and mental health disorders all show up at above-average rates in workforces that have been operating in one location for decades. Many Roswell-area claimants also come to us after receiving a denial (sometimes two) without understanding why, or what the appeal process actually looks like. 

Keener Law has represented Georgia disability claimants for years. Our team handles cases from initial application through federal appeal and knows the Atlanta OHO procedures that govern Roswell ALJ hearings. For more on our firm, see our About page. If you’re in Sandy Springs or Johns Creek, we serve those areas through our Sandy Springs page and a dedicated Johns Creek page when available. 

Our fee is regulated by SSA: 25% of back pay, nothing if we don’t win. No upfront costs. No hourly billing. 

How Do Social Security Disability Benefits Work? 

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays monthly benefits to workers who can no longer work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. It’s funded through the FICA payroll taxes you’ve paid throughout your working life. If you’ve paid into the system long enough to earn sufficient work credits, you’ve earned the right to apply for these benefits. 

SSDI is not welfare. It’s an insurance program funded by the FICA taxes you’ve paid throughout your working life. The application process is bureaucratic and most initial applications are denied, but that doesn’t change what you’ve contributed or what you’re entitled to pursue. For a full overview, see our Social Security Disability overview page. 

How Do I Qualify for Disability in Roswell, Georgia? 

To qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you need a medically determinable impairment that prevents Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. SSA runs every claim through a five-step sequential evaluation. Most denials happen at steps four and five, where SSA determines whether you can still do past work or any other work in the national economy. 

Two programs apply depending on your work history and financial situation: 

SSDI vs. SSI: Key Differences 

SSDI Eligibility Requirements 

SSDI covers workers disabled before their Date Last Insured (DLI). You typically need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the last 10 years (fewer for younger workers). Your condition must prevent SGA: approximately $1,690/month for non-blind claimants in 2026. 

One critical deadline: you must have been disabled before your DLI. Waiting too long to file can mean permanently losing SSDI eligibility even if you become severely disabled later. 

SSI Eligibility Requirements 

SSI has no work-history requirement. It covers disabled, blind, or elderly individuals with limited income and resources. The same disability standard applies, but strict asset and income limits apply. A home and one vehicle don’t typically count; savings and investment accounts usually do. 

Medical Conditions That Commonly Qualify 

SSA evaluates all serious impairments. Conditions we regularly handle for Roswell-area clients include: 

• Musculoskeletal disorders: back injuries, spinal stenosis, joint damage, degenerative disc disease (back pain and spinal conditions) 

• Mental health conditions: depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder (PTSD and mental health disabilities) 

• Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions: lupus (lupus disability claims), rheumatoid arthritis (RA claims), multiple sclerosis (MS disability claims) 

• Chronic pain: fibromyalgia (fibromyalgia disability claims) 

• Heart disease, COPD, diabetes, cancer, and neurological conditions 

What Counts as a “Disability” Under SSA’s Rules? 

SSA’s definition of disability is strict and specific: you must be unable to engage in Substantial Gainful Activity due to a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Having a serious illness or injury alone does not qualify you. SSA’s evaluation centers on whether that condition prevents you from performing any work that exists in significant numbers in the national economy, given your age, education, and work experience. 

SSA evaluates conditions through its Blue Book, a listing of medical impairments organized by body system: musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions, cancer, neurological disorders, immune system disorders, and others. Meeting a Blue Book listing is sufficient but not required for approval. Many approved claimants win through a medical-vocational allowance, which is SSA’s way of recognizing that even if a condition doesn’t meet a listing, the combination of impairment, age, education, and work history means no substantial work is realistically available. 

Certain severe conditions qualify for Compassionate Allowances (CAL): ALS, certain cancers, early-onset Alzheimer’s, and others. Compassionate Allowance cases are fast-tracked and can be approved in weeks rather than months. If your condition appears on SSA’s CAL list, flag it explicitly when filing. 

What Are SSDI’s Income Limits? (Substantial Gainful Activity) 

In 2026, you cannot earn more than approximately $1,690/month from work and still qualify for SSDI as a non-blind claimant. For blind claimants, the limit is approximately $2,830/month. This is the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold. If your earnings from work exceed SGA, SSA stops the five-step evaluation at Step 1 without ever reviewing your medical condition. 

Two important nuances claimants often miss: 

• SGA applies to earned income, not passive income. Rental income, investments, dividends, and retirement distributions don’t count toward SGA. You can receive these without affecting your SSDI eligibility. 

• Once approved, you have a Trial Work Period (TWP). In 2026, any month in which you earn more than approximately $1,210 counts as a trial work month. You get 9 TWP months within a 60-month rolling window to test whether you can return to work without losing benefits. After the TWP ends, SSA evaluates whether your earnings exceed SGA. 

SSI has entirely different income rules. SSI looks at all income, including passive income, and applies a calculation that reduces your benefit by roughly $1 for every $2 you earn above a small exclusion. If you’re confused about which program you’re applying to or whether your income affects eligibility, that’s one of the first questions we address in a free consultation. 

Can I Be Denied SSDI Because of My Assets? 

No. SSDI has no asset limits. You can own a home, vehicles, retirement accounts, savings, and investments without affecting your SSDI eligibility. SSDI is an earned benefit based on your work history. Your savings are irrelevant to whether you qualify. 

SSI is very different. SSI is means-tested, with a resource limit of $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in 2026. Your primary residence and one vehicle are typically excluded. But savings beyond those exclusions and investment accounts typically disqualify you from SSI. 

Many Roswell residents ask about this before applying, particularly people with retirement savings who assume that disqualifies them. For SSDI, it doesn’t. For SSI, it might. Getting the program right from the start is a practical reason to consult an attorney before filing. 

Why Would My Disability Claim Be Denied? 

Most denials happen for reasons that can be addressed on appeal. The most common: 

1. Insufficient medical evidence. SSA needs consistent, detailed records from treating physicians documenting not just your diagnosis but your functional limitations. Gaps in treatment or vague clinical notes are the most frequent reason for denial. 

1. Earnings above SGA. If you’re working and earning more than the SGA threshold, SSA stops the evaluation at Step 1 without reviewing your medical records. 

1. Condition not expected to last 12 months. Short-term or acute conditions, even severe ones, don’t meet SSDI’s duration requirement. 

1. SSA finds you can still perform past or other work. SSA’s RFC (Residual Functional Capacity) assessment determines what you can still do despite your limitations. If SSA concludes you can perform your past job or any other job in the national economy, your claim is denied at steps four or five. 

1. Failure to follow prescribed treatment. If you’re not following your doctor’s treatment plan without a valid reason, SSA can deny your claim on that basis. 

1. Missed deadline or incomplete application. Missing the 60-day appeal window or submitting incomplete documentation results in a technical denial unrelated to your medical condition. 

1. Technical disqualification (SSDI only). If you don’t have enough work credits or your Date Last Insured has passed, you’re technically ineligible for SSDI regardless of your medical condition. 

For a deeper breakdown of why Georgia claims are denied and what can be done, see our page on common reasons disability claims are denied in Georgia. 

If My Application Was Denied, Can I Appeal? 

Yes. A denial is not a final answer. Every appeal stage has a strict deadline: 60 days from the date on your denial notice, plus 5 days for mailing. Miss that window and you lose that appeal right entirely, forcing a new application that restarts your back pay clock. The moment you receive a denial, the clock is running. 

For a detailed breakdown of each appeal stage, see our disability appeal process page. For the most common denial reasons and how each can be addressed, see our page on why disability claims are denied in Georgia. 

The 4 Stages of a Georgia SSDI Appeal 

1. Reconsideration. Request within 60 days of the initial denial. A different DDS examiner reviews your file. Approval rates at this stage are low nationally (roughly 10–15%). This stage is required before you can access an ALJ hearing. 

1. ALJ Hearing. Request within 60 days of the reconsideration denial. You appear before an Administrative Law Judge, in person or by video. Your attorney presents evidence, examines witnesses, and cross-examines the vocational expert. Approval rates at the hearing stage are significantly higher. 

1. Appeals Council. Request review within 60 days of an ALJ denial. The Council may grant, deny, or remand the case. 

1. Federal District Court. File a civil action within 60 days of the Appeals Council decision. This is the final level of appeal. 

What to Expect at a Disability Medical Exam (CE) 

A Consultative Examination (CE) is an SSA-ordered medical exam, typically requested when SSA determines your existing medical records are insufficient. It’s conducted by an SSA-contracted physician who has never treated you and whose report can be used as a basis for denial. A CE is not a substitute for your treating physician’s records, and a poor CE report can be challenged. Your attorney should review any CE orders before you attend and help contextualize the report in the hearing brief. 

The Atlanta Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) 

Roswell-area cases that reach the ALJ hearing stage are handled by the Atlanta Office of Hearings Operations. Most Atlanta OHO hearings are conducted by video teleconference, though in-person options may be available in some circumstances. Our attorneys regularly represent clients at disability hearings in Georgia and are familiar with the procedural expectations at the Atlanta OHO. 

How Much Does a Disability Lawyer Cost in Roswell? 

Disability lawyers in Roswell work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront and owe nothing if we don’t win. SSA caps attorney fees at 25% of back pay, up to the federal maximum (currently $9,200), whichever is less. SSA withholds the fee directly from your back pay before sending you the balance. You never receive a bill during your case. 

The contingency model aligns your attorney’s interests with yours. You get representation at no out-of-pocket cost, and every fee agreement must be approved by SSA. Any out-of-pocket costs like medical record requests may be handled separately. 

How Long Will My Disability Claim Take? 

Longer than most claimants expect. Initial applications in Georgia average 3–6 months for a decision from Georgia DDS. If denied and requesting an ALJ hearing, wait times at the Atlanta OHO have historically been 12–18 months from hearing request to scheduled hearing date. From first application to ALJ approval, the full process typically spans 18–24 months or more. 

This timeline is a strong argument for hiring an attorney before you file, not after a denial. A well-built evidentiary record from the start can increase your chances of approval at the initial or reconsideration stage, potentially avoiding the 12–18 month ALJ wait entirely. For claimants who are already deep in the process, the goal shifts to ensuring the hearing record is as strong as possible. Compassionate Allowance conditions are fast-tracked regardless of the standard processing timeline. 

Can You Survive on SSDI Alone? 

For most people, SSDI alone is not enough to cover living expenses in North Fulton County. The average SSDI payment in 2026 is approximately $1,634/month, with a maximum of $4,152/month. In Roswell, where costs of living are above the state average, $1,634 is a real challenge. 

It’s worth knowing the full picture of what an approved SSDI claim actually provides: 

• Back pay. A lump sum covering the period from your established disability onset date to the date of approval. For claimants who’ve been in the process 12–24 months, this can be a meaningful financial recovery separate from monthly benefits. 

• Medicare. After 24 months of SSDI benefits, you qualify for Medicare Parts A and B, regardless of age. For many claimants, this is as valuable as the monthly payment. 

• Concurrent SSI eligibility. If your SSDI payment is low (often the case for claimants with limited work history), you may qualify for both SSDI and SSI simultaneously. SSI can supplement the SSDI payment up to the federal benefit rate, and SSI recipients in Georgia typically receive Medicaid immediately. 

• Dependent benefits. If you have a spouse and/or qualifying children, they may be eligible for auxiliary benefits based on your SSDI record. 

Our job is to secure the approval and the maximum back pay award. What you do with the ongoing benefits is yours to manage. Understanding the full picture before you file helps set realistic expectations. For a breakdown of how payments are calculated, see our page on how disability payments are calculated. 

What to Bring to Your Free Consultation 

Your first consultation is free. Bring what you have. Here’s what helps most: 

• Medical records from the past two years, or the names and addresses of every treating provider 

• Medications list with dosages 

• Work history for the past 15 years: job titles, employers, dates, and a brief description of physical and mental demands 

• Any SSA denial letters with dates visible. The 60-day appeal deadline runs from the date on that letter. 

• Social Security card and government-issued ID 

• Prior disability application details: dates, claim numbers, prior attorneys if applicable 

• Notes on how your condition affects daily activities: sleeping, walking, sitting, concentrating, personal care, in your own words 

Don’t delay because you don’t have everything organized. We can help request records. The only thing that can’t be recovered is a missed deadline. 

Local Resources for Roswell Disability Claimants 

Here’s what you need to know about the offices and providers that handle Roswell-area disability cases. No competitor currently serving this market publishes this information for Roswell claimants specifically. 

Nearest SSA Field Office to Roswell 

Roswell does not have its own SSA field office. Residents in ZIP codes 30075, 30076, and 30077 are typically served by the nearest office, likely in Alpharetta or Marietta. 

National SSA line: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 7 PM. Filing online at ssa.gov is available 24/7 and is the most common filing method. 

Atlanta Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) 

Roswell cases at the ALJ hearing stage are handled by the Atlanta OHO.Suite 500 Marquis 1, 245 Peachtree Center Ave., Atlanta, GA 30303 Most hearings are conducted by video teleconference. 

Georgia Disability Determination Services (DDS) 

Georgia DDS handles the initial and reconsideration stages of your claim. 

Local Medical Providers Serving Roswell Claimants 

Consistent, documented treatment at established facilities strengthens a disability claim. Medical providers that commonly figure into Roswell-area cases include: 

• Northside Hospital Roswell: a major medical anchor in the Roswell area, directly relevant to many disability claimants 

• Wellstar North Fulton Hospital (formerly Roswell Memorial), serving a large portion of the Roswell community 

• Emory Johns Creek Hospital: nearby, relevant for specialty care referrals 

Transportation to SSA Offices 

MARTA rail coverage in Roswell is limited. The Red Line’s northernmost station is North Springs, south of the city. For Roswell residents without personal transportation, MARTA Mobility (paratransit) may be relevant for claimants with qualifying disabilities. Online filing and phone appointments eliminate the in-person office visit requirement for most claimants. 

Get Your Free Disability Consultation in Roswell Today 

Keener Law represents disability claimants in Roswell, Milton, and the Alpharetta-adjacent communities of North Fulton County. We handle every stage of the SSDI and SSI process, and we charge nothing unless we win. 

If you’ve received a denial and a 60-day deadline is approaching, don’t wait. 

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Disclaimer: This page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every disability case is different. For advice about your specific situation, contact a qualified Social Security Disability attorney or representative. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.