Social Security Lawyers in Palm Harbor, Florida | Palm Harbor, FL Social Security Attorneys | Pinellas County, Florida SSI SSDI Law Firms
Palm Harbor, Florida Social Security Lawyers want to help
Does your disability prevent you from working? The social security disability system was designed to help those who are unable to work because of a disability. Qualifying is not always easy. That is why it is important to work with an experienced Palm Harbor social security attorney when you apply or appeal a case. Contact an experienced social security lawyer in Palm Harbor today to learn more. Start by filling out the form on this webpage.
Applying for SSI or SSDI can make a serious difference
More than half of the initial applicants are rejected for social security every year. Increase your chances of winning your Social Security claim by contacting an experienced Palm Harbor Social Security lawyer. Your attorney should have the necessary experience to understand how to make out your best case. This may include working with your doctors, or having you seek a new cost-effective examination that can help make out your case. Winning your claim can mean the difference between homelessness and no medical care, and having a safety net of a monthly benefit payment and life-saving medical care. Those who qualify could potentially receive the following in addition to monthly payments: Medicare, Medicaid, and Food Stamps, depending on your circumstances.
How can I afford a Social Security lawyer when I can’t work?
You do not have to have a pool of money to afford a social security lawyer. The usual fee structure of a social security lawyer is designed so that it is affordable for people who are not employed. Social security attorneys are paid according to a strict fee schedule. They can only be paid if they win your case for you. That makes sense because claimants usually have no expendable money. The social security administration carefully monitors how much a social security attorney charges. The attorneys are statutorily limited to charging a max of 25% of back pay awarded to you (up to a max of $6,000). That means that in most cases you can only be required to pay money that was already owed to you before you received your social security benefits, and even that amount is limited. Don’t wait to contact an experienced Palm Harbor Social Security lawyer. Fill out the form on the website.
Eligibility for either SSDI or SSI
There are two separate programs that provide disability benefits in the social security system. They are SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance). Generally, to qualify for disability payments, you must have an injury that prevents you from working for one year or more or an injury that will result in death. Both programs pay on a monthly basis.
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What is the Standard for Disability in Palm Harbor, Florida? - To receive disability benefits for Social Security Disability you must meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability.
- The term disability is that you are unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” [SGA] because of a medically physical or mental impairment which has lasted, or is expected to last, for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in your death.
- If you are working in or around Palm Harbor, Florida is that a factor? - If you are working in Palm Harbor and performing SGA, then you are considered able to work and not disabled. In 2012, the SGA limit is $1010 (after taxes) per month. If you earn more than $1010 per month, you are probably not eligible, unless there are special circumstances;
- Do You Have a Severe Impairment? - You must have a medical problem which significantly limits your physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities. The impairment must be expected to last for 12 months or end in death;
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Does Your Medical Condition Match One of SSA’s Listed Impairments? - SSA has a list of medical conditions ["Listing of Impairments."] that describes medical conditions so severe that SSA considers people who have the conditions disabled;
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If your condition does not meet or equal one of the conditions in the Listing of Impairments, then you must ask:
- Despite Your Medical Condition, Are You Able to Do Work You Did in the Past? - SSA determines what you are able to do despite your medical condition. This is called the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). SSA compares your RFC with the physical and mental demands of your past jobs. If you are physically and mentally able to do a job that you have held within the last fifteen years, then SSA considers you "not disabled." However, if you are not able to perform any of your past jobs, then ask:
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If your condition does not meet or equal one of the conditions in the Listing of Impairments, then you must ask:
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Despite Your Medical Condition, Are You Able to Do Other Work? - If you cannot perform your past work, then SSA decides whether you are able to perform other types of work.
Can Children in Palm Harbor, FL Qualify for Disability Benefits? Yes, but What is the Criteria?
Financially, needy children under age 18 who have serious medical conditions may be eligible for Children's SSI. A child is disabled for SSI if the child is not working and earning more than the SGA level and has a medical condition or combination of conditions that cause "marked and severe functional limitations." Medical evidence documenting the child's medical condition is essential.
Do you qualify for SSDI? – Work with a Knowledgeable Palm Harbor Disability Insurance Attorney Soon![Palm Harbor Review Board Lawyers Call your Palm Harbor Social Security SSI attorney for intensified SSD Claim details](/library/images/stock-images/disability/senior-woman-wheelchair.jpg)
To qualify for SSDI monthly payments, you must establish a work history of paying into social security as well as a qualifying disability. So, not everyone qualifies for the SSDI program. Those who receive disability payments under SSDI may also qualify for Medicare coverage. Contact an experienced Palm Harbor SSDI lawyer to learn about your options.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Talk to an experienced Palm Harbor, Florida Disability Attorney
SSI is paid out like welfare, meaning you cannot earn over a certain amount of money to qualify. In addition, you need to be disabled and unable to work. SSI pays out a smaller amount of money than SSDI, but unlike SSDI, you are not required to have paid into the Social Security system to qualify for payments. In addition, SSI recipients qualify for medical care through Medicaid. To contact an experienced Palm Harbor SSI lawyer, fill out the questionnaire on this page.
Proving your disability: the process of applying and appealing your decision - Palm Harbor, FL Disability Appeal Attorney
To apply for social security, you can start online, in person, or by calling the social security administration directly. The government can take upward of six months to review your case. Once you get your results, you will either receive a notice of payments, or you will be denied. In which case, you can appeal the decision in person or have your attorney appear on your behalf.
The list below contains a few examples of the types of illnesses and injuries that have qualified previous applicants for a disability:
Liver disease Hallucinations Traumatic Brain Injury Pancreatitis Asthma |
Polycycthemia Skin Grafting Cystic Fibrosis Inflammatory bowel disease Chronic granulocytopenia |
Chronic venous insufficiency Common Blood Disorders Chronic thrombocytopenia Seizures Coagulation defects |
Local SSA Office of Palm Harbor, FL
Social Security Office 2340 Drew Street Clearwater, Florida 33765 (800) 772-1213 |
Low Cost Hospitals near Palm Harbor, Florida
Community Health Centers 707 Druid Rd E Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 824-8181 |
Community Health Centers 1020 Lakeview Road Clearwater, Florida 33756 (727) 461-1439 |
Hospitals near Palm Harbor, FL
Florida Hospital 1395 South Pinellas Avenue Tarpon Springs, Florida 34689 (727) 942-5000 |
Mease Countryside Hospital 3231 McMullen Booth Road Safety Harbor, Florida 34695 (727) 725-6111 |
Palm Harbor Social Security Lawyers serve clients throughout Southwestern Florida, including Bradenton, Brandon, Clearwater, Dunedin, East Lake, Egypt Lake-Leto, Gibsonton, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Lake Magdalene, Largo, Oldsmar, Orient Park, Palm Harbor, Palmetto, Pinellas, Sarasota, Seminole, South Highpoint, St. Pete Beach, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tarpon Springs, Temple Terrace, Town 'N' Country, West and East Lealman, areas in the vicinity of St. Petersburg/Clearwater International Airport, and other communities in Pinellas County.