Manhattan Social Security Disability Lawyer
If a disabling injury or illness is preventing you from working, you might be eligible to receive disability benefits. Find out by speaking with a Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer.
When you find that your life has been negatively impacted by an injury, disability, or illness to the point that you require financial assistance, you don’t have to struggle to make ends meet. By filing an application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you can take the first step toward regaining control of your life and finances.
Unfortunately, navigating the processes involved in applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits isn’t always easy. In fact, failing to follow the proper protocol or provide the right evidence could put you at risk for having your claim denied.
That’s why working with a Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer is such a crucial part of building a successful claim. Our team of attorneys at Finkelstein, Meirowitz & Eidlisz, LLP is highly experienced and knowledgeable in this area of law, and we will use our resources to ensure that you receive all the benefits you need to maintain your quality of life.
Benefits Provided by SSDI
SSDI provides a monthly income that depends directly on how much you paid into the system while you were still able to work. As such, each case is different with the benefit amount varying from person to person.
It’s even possible that your family members could also be eligible to receive benefits when you qualify. Eligible family members can receive up to 50 percent of your approved benefit rate. Your entire family’s maximum benefit rate is between 150 and 180 percent of the amount you were approved for.
Not every family member will qualify, however, and your Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer will ensure that everyone’s eligibility is properly assessed. Spouses, for example, are eligible when they are caring for a child that is either disabled or under the age of sixteen.
Life with a disability that prevents you from working and earning an income is not easy. That’s why we make it a priority to make certain that the benefit amount you are approved for is the full amount that you are eligible to receive. If you get less than you should, we’ll take steps to help you rectify the situation with the Social Security Administration.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits
For your SSD application to be successful, you and your Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer will first need to determine that you are actually eligible to receive benefits. There are a few qualifications you must meet for your application to be approved:
- Your disability is expected to either last for at least twelve months or end in death
- You must have maintained a job for at least five years within the last decade
- Your disability must be covered by the Social Security Administration’s guidelines, such as mental health disorders, blood diseases, cardiovascular ailments, and immune system illnesses
- Your disability prohibits you from maintaining a job
- You have paid FICA premiums in the past
Timeline for Filing and Receiving SSD Benefits
Many disability victims are concerned about how long the application process will take and how much time will pass before they can begin receiving their Social Security Disability payments. It’s important to have an understanding of the expected timeline so that you can plan accordingly.
As your Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer will explain, no two cases are the same. As a result, the waiting time for receiving an approval varies substantially. Factors such as the amount of time it takes to compile all the necessary evidence and paperwork play a role in the length of your waiting time. In cases that are fairly cut-and-dry, the waiting time is usually anywhere from ninety to 120 days.
Once you receive notice regarding the decision of your application, the timeline can go one of two ways. If you are approved, your claim will be processed, and you will begin receiving your disability benefits.
If your claim is denied, the process can take quite a bit longer. You will need to file for a reconsideration appeal and a request for a hearing. Although you can typically expect the reconsideration appeal to be processed within two months, waiting for an appeal can take anywhere from weeks to months and even years in extreme cases.
Understanding Why Benefits Application Was Denied
For those struggling to maintain their day-to-day life while living with a disability, there are few things more stressful than finding out that your application was denied. But with a Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer on your side, hope will not be lost.
It often surprises disability victims to learn that on average, roughly 53 percent of all applications are denied. To ensure the appeals process goes smoothly, we will first need to pinpoint why you did not receive an approval the first time around.
Some factors that may affect the outcome of your Social Security application include the following:
- It is determined that your injury, illness, or disability is not severe enough
- A medical examiner found that your disability will not last at least twelve months
- Your disability was sustained due to drug or alcohol use
- Despite your injury, it is determined that you are still able to maintain a job
- You failed to provide the necessary medical documentation
- You refused to cooperate with the Social Security Administration
- You failed to follow the prescribed treatments for your medical care
Help from a Manhattan SSD Lawyer
If your quality of life and your finances are suffering due to an injury, illness, or disability, you don’t need to handle it alone. By working with Finkelstein, Meirowitz & Eidlisz, LLP, you can expedite the SSDI application process and successfully resolve your claim.
By working with a Manhattan Social Security Disability lawyer, you will have access to the best legal knowledge, experience, and compassion. We will fight on your behalf to get your disability application approved. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call at 212-385-9190 or submit our online form, which is located at the bottom of the page.