social security disability

If you are unable to work to support yourself due to an illness or handicap, you could be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. At Cuthbert Law Offices, Social Security Disability law is not just a sideline, but a significant portion of our practice.

Please see our decisions in the cases of Bailey v. Chater, Wilkins v. Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services and Flowers v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

You may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits if you suffer from an injury or disease that prevents you from working, or is expected to prevent you from working for one year or longer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers disability benefits. The SSA defines a disability as the inability to engage in “substantial gainful activity” due to an impairment or combination of impairments. To be considered disabled, a person must ordinarily establish that he or she cannot perform his or her past work and also must establish an inability to perform other types of employment on a regular and sustained basis.

The Social Security system provides benefits for the disabled under two separate but related programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). SSDI is an “insurance” program that pays disability benefits to persons (and to certain disabled dependents) who have paid into the Social Security trust fund through the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA taxes). The employers of these insured individuals make equal FICA contributions on behalf of the employee.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is a financial aid or needs-based program that provides a basic income for disabled people who meet specific low-income guidelines. Regardless of your lack of employment history, you can receive SSI benefits when you become disabled.

Cuthbert Law Offices will fight for your rights, but in order to receive disability benefits from Social Security, you must apply. How much a person receives as a benefit depends, among other things, on his or her work history.

If your disability claim is denied, contact us now. Statistics provided by the U.S. government show that benefits are awarded far more frequently to people with attorneys than to those who handle their own claims without an attorney.  For instance, as part of the claims process, you may have a hearing before an administrative law judge.  That hearing is a legal proceeding. An attorney experienced in Social Security Disability claims can help you at the hearing and make the difference between receiving your benefits or not.

The sooner you contact us, the better. However, the place where representation makes the most difference in the outcome of your case is at the hearing stage. So, it’s very important that you arrange for attorney representation early enough to allow time for hearing preparation. It is best to call Cuthbert Law Offices as soon as your application for benefits is denied. Much pre-hearing preparation, analysis and evidence gathering go into adequate representation in a Social Security case. The earlier our firm is able to start preparation for your hearing, the better.

In 1980, we handled our first Social Security Disability case. Thereafter, we have handled thousands of others. Our experience and study have made us fully familiar with the pertinent regulations and how to apply them. Contact us online today. In Petersburg, call 804-733-3100. In Richmond, call 804-643-3100. Or, email us at lawyers@cuthbertlaw.com .