Social Security Disability Lawyer in Athens

Social Security Disability Lawyer in Athens

When a serious injury or illness prevents you from working, Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits could help cope with the financial stress. More than 12 million people currently rely on benefits from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, the SSD application process is far from simple and straightforward. The complicated federal regulations and procedures ensure that less than one-third of the applications for disability benefits get approved.

Therefore, you can contact an Athens disability lawyer at The Keener Law Firm to assist you in winning benefits from the SSA. At The Keener Law Firm, we use our knowledge and experience to help you win the benefits you need and deserve.

How Can We Help With Applications For Disability Benefits?

To win disability benefits, merely proving a medically determinable physical or mental disability may not be sufficient. To qualify for SSDI and SSI benefits, you must also prove some additional requirements to qualify for disability benefits.

The SSDI is a federal insurance program to provide disability benefits to those prevented from working because of a disability. To meet the eligibility criteria for SSDI benefits, you must prove the following requirements:

• You are unable to work because of a medical condition which has lasted for at least 12 months or is expected to last for at least 12 months or result in death.
• You have worked for a long enough duration at a job or through self-employment and paid sufficiently into Social Security to qualify for disability benefits.

Unlike SSDI, SSI is not a federal insurance program. It is a needs-based program supposed to pay money for buying food or shelter. For winning SSI benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

• You are disabled, or under the age of 65 years, or blind.
• Your income and financial resources are within the limitations set by the SSA to qualify for disability benefits.

Fighting Adverse Determination During The Appeal Process

If you had your claim for SSDI or SSI denied by the SSA, you may want to give up. However, an accomplished Athens disability benefits lawyer can help you appeal against a denial of benefits and ensure the best chance of winning SSDI/ SSI benefits.

There are four levels of appeal to challenge an adverse determination by the SSA:

• Reconsideration
• Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge
• Appeals Council Review
• Federal Court Review

An Athens SSD lawyer could play a material role in your fight for disability benefits. According to the U.S. General Accountability Office, claimants represented by an SSD lawyer during the appeal process had a three times greater chance of winning benefits than those who did not.

Contact The Keener Law Firm Today To Learn More About Disability Benefits

If you want to learn more about applying for SSDI, SSI benefits or appealing a denial of benefits, an Athens SSD lawyer at The Keener Law Firm today will be more than happy to help. Contact The Keener Law Firm today for a free consultation and case review.