Burley Social Security Disability Law Firm
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals who begin working by age 20 have a 25 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching the age of retirement. If you are unable to work due to a disability, or if you have a spouse who is disabled, filing for benefits with the SSA can provide critical financial relief over the years to come.
At Petersen, Parkinson & Arnold PLLC, we help individuals in Burley, Idaho obtain Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Whether you are trying to figure out how to file an application or you need help understanding why your application was denied, our Burley social security disability attorneys can provide straightforward advice and help you navigate the process. With decades of experience and thousands of clients represented, as Burley Social Security Disability Lawyers, we know what it means to secure much-needed disability benefits. We have the knowledge required to quickly get you the benefits you deserve.
Dedicated Social Security Disability Lawyers Representing Clients in Burley
Our Burley Social Security Disability Attorneys have more than 65 years of combined experience helping clients in Southern Idaho secure financial compensation for disabling injuries and illnesses. Social Security Disability is handled by Brad Parkinson who is “of counsel” with our firm and is well-known for his experience handling applications and appeals. When you hire our firm to represent you, we will help you gather the information required to submit a successful application, and our attorneys will represent you in all matters involving the SSA so that you can feel confident every step of the way.
The Basics of Social Security Disability
The two largest governmental programs for American citizens with disabilities are Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income. Both are administered by the Social Security Administration for citizens who are or have become disabled.
The first qualification for Social Security Disability is to have been employed at a job covered by Social Security. Self-employed individuals can also qualify as long as they have paid into Social Security while self-employed. To qualify for coverage, you need to have accumulated a certain number of “work credits.” These work credits are based on the income that you earn, and you can earn up to 4 credits per year. For example, in 2020, you earned 1 credit for every $1,410 in wages, so if you’ve earned at least $5,640, then you’ve earned your full 4 work credits for the year. Depending on your age when you become disabled, you generally need 40 credits to qualify for benefits, 20 of which you must have earned in the 10 years leading up to the year you became disabled.
The second qualification is to meet Social Security’s definition of “disabled.” This would mean that:
- you can no longer perform the work you did before,
- your disability will last for at least one year or is expected to result in death, and
- Social Security decides that your medical condition will not allow you to change to a different line of work.
Note that there are no benefits for short-term disabilities or partial disabilities.
The amount of your disability benefits is calculated on an individual basis, based on a complex weighted formula. Most will receive between $800 and $1,800 in benefits each month. However, if you receive disability benefits from workers’ compensation or other government-regulated sources, it may lower the amount of Social Security disability benefits you can receive.
Full-Service Legal Representation for Social Security Disability Applications and Appeals
If you live in Burley, Idaho, and need help filing for Social Security disability benefits, we encourage you to contact us for a free and confidential consultation. Our experienced attorneys are available to help you:
- File for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits
- Obtain medical records and prepare for questioning
- Appeal your disability benefit denial
- Attend hearings regarding your disability benefit application
- Prove that you suffer from a qualifying mental health condition or physical impairment
- Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Seek benefits as a disabled widow, widower, or child
FAQs: What Do You Need to Know About Applying for Social Security Disability?
Q: How do I apply for disability benefits?
You can apply for Social Security disability benefits online through the SSA’s website. In order to be eligible, you must be:
- unable to work due to a medical condition (mental or physical) that is expected to last at least one year or result in death;
- 18 years of age or older; and
- not currently receiving SS benefits.
In addition, you are only eligible to file a new disability benefits application if you have not been denied benefits within the past 60 days. If you have recently had your application denied, then your next step is to file an appeal.
Q: Can I receive disability and workers' compensation?
Yes, if you are eligible under both programs, you can potentially collect both types of benefits. However, if you are receiving workers’ comp, this could limit the number of benefits available to you through Social Security. When you contact us, we will help you understand your options and pursue a solution that maximizes the benefits you are able to receive.
Q: Can I receive Social Security disability and Veterans Administration benefits?
Yes, if you receive Veterans Administration benefits, this will not affect your SS disability application. The same is true if you are receiving private insurance benefits, SSI, or any other state or local government benefits (as long as you deduct Social Security taxes from your income).
Q: What are my options if the SSA has denied my disability application?
If your application has been denied within the past 60 days, our legal team can help you file an appeal. There are four stages of appeal for disability denials:
- Reconsideration – Re-review of your application by a different SSA employee.
- Administrative Hearing – Challenging the SSA’s denial in an administrative proceeding.
- Appeals Council – Review of your denial by the SSA’s Appeals Council.
- Federal Court – Filing a lawsuit in federal district court to secure benefits.
Each stage of appeal adds time to the process, and ideally, you will want to have your benefits application approved without the need to file an appeal. In any case, it pays to have experienced legal representation, and we can help you regardless of the current status of your application.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation
If you would like more information about how we can help you obtain Social Security disability benefits, please contact one of our talented and experienced Burley Social Security Disability Lawyers, to schedule a free initial consultation. To speak with a lawyer at our law offices in Burley, Idaho, call (208) 677-8373 or tell us how we can help online today.