Social Security Disability benefits are a financial lifeline for people who are unable to work. If you have health problems that prevent you from earning a paycheck, then you may qualify.
When you worked, you paid into Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, through payroll taxes.
This benefit should be here for you when you need it. SSDI is designed for people who worked and paid into the system but have to stop working before full retirement age due to medical conditions.
Winning benefits can help you pay your bills, stabilizing your life and preserving your dignity and independence, but it isn’t easy. Most people have their applications denied.
It’s important to know what the Social Security Administration (SSA) is looking for and what goes into a successful application for benefits.
A Chicago disability lawyer from Nash Disability Law can walk you through this process, which includes:
Nash Disability Law has helped thousands of people get the disability benefits they deserve. If you need SSDI benefits, we are ready to support you.
WE’VE HELPED MORE PEOPLE IN THE CHICAGO AREA WIN BENEFITS THAN ANY OTHER LAW FIRM.
Before you apply for SSDI, you need to know the standards the SSA will hold you to. Many impairments can qualify you for Social Security Disability benefits, but just having a medical condition usually isn’t enough.
You only qualify for benefits if:
SSDI is not for someone who will be out of work for a few weeks. These benefits are meant to give you stability if you know you will be unable to work for a long time.
The SSA wants to see that your medical conditions will prevent “substantial gainful activity,” meaning the ability to work and earn a set amount.
A Chicago Social Security Disability lawyer from Nash can help you see if you qualify, and we can help you apply.
Start with a FREE Social Security Disability claim consultation.
Once you believe you have a medical condition that qualifies for SSDI benefits, you should act quickly.
You can apply online, over the phone, or at a local Chicagoland Social Security office in person.
Your disability attorney can help you with your application, but it’s important to know that getting approved for Social Security Disability benefits can take a long time.
You should be ready to file your application as soon as you know that your health issues will interfere with your ability to work, but you also need to take your time to ensure that your application is complete and convincing.
The SSA has high standards because the government doesn’t want people to collect benefits when they shouldn’t. This can mean that anyone with a valid claim must work harder to prove they deserve benefits.
Our Illinois disability attorneys can help make your application more persuasive with items like:
The more evidence you have, the tougher it can be to deny your claim.
If you are approved, you will start receiving benefits each month. You could also receive back pay for benefits you would have been eligible for while you waited for your application to be approved.
Most applicants aren’t lucky enough to receive SSDI benefits on their initial application. If your claim was denied, you are not alone, and there are ways to appeal this ruling from the SSA.
You may not have to go through all of these stages, but there are four different appeal levels to know about:
Reconsideration: The first stage of appeals is asking the SSA to reconsider your application. A new examiner will look at what you have submitted and make another decision.
Disability hearing: This hearing takes place in front of an administrative law judge. You can present more evidence, answer questions from the judge, explain the daily reality of your health problems, and question medical and vocational experts who might testify about your case. Go with a skilled disability lawyer supporting you. Your hearing is often your best chance to win SSDI benefits.
Appeals Council review: You can ask the Appeals Council at Social Security for a review of the disability hearing decision if the administrative law judge decided against you.
Civil action in federal court: If all else fails, the final option is filing in federal district court. This is your last chance to contest Social Security’s decision.
It’s important to act quickly if you want to appeal a denied SSDI application. At each stage of the appeals process, you have just 60 days to request another chance to make your case.
If you didn’t already have legal assistance when you applied for Social Security Disability, you should seriously consider talking to a Chicago disability lawyer when you appeal.
You are not required to hire a lawyer when you apply for SSDI, but making a strong case for why you deserve benefits can be difficult on your own.
Our disability attorneys know what the SSA is looking for. We will help you make a convincing claim.
A Social Security Disability lawyer helps you:
Nash Disability has deep roots in the Chicago area. We’ve been helping people just like you for more than 40 years.
We are familiar with the local Social Security offices, the administrative law judges who could preside over your disability hearing, and the local doctors and hospitals who could provide the medical evidence you need to support your disability claim.
When you work with us, you’re a neighbor, not a number.
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YOUR disability case!
How long does it take to get Social Security Disability benefits?
The application process for SSDI benefits doesn’t move quickly. Most applicants wait months for an answer. When you need to appeal a denial, it adds more time. It can easily be over a year before your benefits are approved.
Does my medical condition qualify for benefits?
Your medical condition or illness needs to be something that prevents you from working any job for a long period of time. How your health prevents you from working is more important than exactly what diagnosis you have. Our disability lawyers can help you demonstrate to Social Security that your medical conditions limit your daily functioning.
Why should I work with a lawyer to get SSDI?
The Social Security Administration has high standards, meaning that even those with valid medical impairments often get denied. Working with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney can make this process easier because we know what the SSA looks for and what goes into a successful application. We can also help you navigate the complicated appeals process.
How much does a lawyer for SSDI cost?
There is no upfront cost for a Social Security Disability lawyer. They get paid only when you win your case. Their fee is subtracted from the back benefits you win, up to limits set by Social Security.
Can you get SSDI if you don’t have much of a work history?
SSDI benefits are meant for those who have worked and paid a substantial amount into the system, so if you don’t have a lengthy work history you may not qualify. In that situation, our disability lawyers could help you figure out if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the type of Social Security Disability that doesn’t require a work record.
How much will I receive in SSDI benefits?
It’s tough to say exactly how much each individual will receive in SSDI benefits. If your application is approved, the SSA will calculate how much you receive each month based on your work and paycheck history. Your payments can also increase each year due to cost-of-living adjustments.
What happens if my SSDI application gets denied?
Getting denied is common. You have the chance to appeal—and you probably should appeal. Appealing is when most people finally get benefits. But you must act within 60 days. Wait longer and you may have to start over with a new application. Appealing is more complicated than applying. You need more evidence and arguments. You may testify in front of an administrative law judge. Get help from a Chicago disability attorney from Nash who has guided people through this process many times before.
Thank you so very much for your help with my disability claim. Please thank each and everyone who helped in getting this done. Every time I had questions and had to call you for advice, whomever I spoke with at the time was very helpful and polite and most of all caring. Thank you so very much.
Thank you for all your help with my disability case. I felt very confident after discussing my claim with your attorneys. The representation I had for my court date was wonderful. I know I couldn’t have done all that you did on my own . I am very appreciative for all the hard work, time and care you gave to me!
