Social Security Lawyers in Wesley Chapel, Florida | Wesley Chapel, FL Social Security Attorneys | Pasco County, Florida SSI SSDI Law Firms
Looking for an experienced Social Security lawyer?
Has an injury kept you from working? Social security disability income, or “SSDI” for short, and “SSI”, supplemental security income, was created for those who cannot work due to suffering from a disability. The federal SSDI and SSI system can be difficult to navigate. Whether you are a first time applicant or whether you have been previously rejected, an experienced Wesley Chapel social security attorney can help you. Wesley Chapel social security attorneys help our most vulnerable citizens qualify for social security disability benefits.
SSI and SSDI: The difference between winning and losing your claim
The vast majority of the initial applicants are denied social security benefits: generally, between 65% and 70%. An experienced Wesley Chapel social security lawyer can increase your odds of success. Your attorney should understand how to make your best case. Your attorney can also represent you on appeal. An experienced Wesley Chapel social security lawyer will look over your file, and help you make any additions and corrections necessary to best highlight the nature of your disability. Those who face real disabilities potentially face hunger and homelessness. Winning your claim can provide a necessary safety net to our most vulnerable citizens. Successful claimants receive monthly payments from the federal government to cover those critical expenses. Many claimants also qualify for medical services through Medicare and Medicaid.
How do I pay a qualified Wesley Chapel, Florida Social Security lawyer? I don’t have any money!
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. Most all Social Security lawyers work on a contingency basis: which means they only get paid if you win your case. The government limits how much a social security attorney can charge you. They are limited to charging the lesser of: 25% of the back pay awarded to you, or a maximum of $6,000. So, an attorney cannot make more than $6,000 on your case, nor can he or she make more than 25% of the back pay owed to you. Thus, if you are awarded $20,000 in back pay, generally the max you can be charged is $6,000. By filling out the questionnaire on the website, an experienced Wesley Chapel Social Security attorney will contact you.
Social Security: Who qualifies for SSI and SSDI
Two separate social security programs provide disability payments to injured people: SSI and SSDI (Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance). To earn disability payments under either one, you must suffer from an injury that (1) prevents you from working for a year or more, or (2) will result in death. Short-term injuries are not covered by the social security system.
-
What is the Standard for Disability in Wesley Chapel, 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 Wesley Chapel, Florida is that a factor? - If you are working in Wesley Chapel 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;
-
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;
-
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:
-
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 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 Wesley Chapel, 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.
SSDI: Federal Workers Insurance for the Disabled - Contact a Knowledgeable Wesley Chapel Disability Insurance Attorney Today
SSDI is a federal insurance program that pays disability benefits to people who have paid into the social security system. To qualify, you must be disabled and have a work history of paying social security taxes. Thus, not everyone can qualify. Those who do qualify may also be eligible for Medicare coverage, depending on the duration of your disability. Contact an SSDI attorney to learn if you may qualify.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – Talk to an experienced Wesley Chapel, FL 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 Wesley Chapel SSI lawyer, fill out the questionnaire on the webpage.
How does the application and appeal process work? - Wesley Chapel, Florida Disability Appeals attorney
First, you can apply online, call into an office, or visit your local SS office. The application process can take anywhere between four to six months. 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:
Thyroid gland disorders Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Systemic vasculitis Adrenal gland disorders Anterior poliomyelitis |
Muscular dystrophy Chronic hyperglycemia Cerebral Palsy Multiple Sclerosis Benign brain tumors |
Diabetes mellitus Pituitary gland disorders Parathyroid gland disorders Peripheral neuropathies Systemic sclerosis |
Local SSA Office of Wesley Chapel, FL
Social Security Office 36630 Adair Road Dade City, Florida 33525 (800) 772-1213 |
Low Cost Hospitals near Wesley Chapel, Florida
Family Health Center 37920 Medical Arts Court Zephyrhills, Florida 33541-4323 (352) 518-2000 |
Family Health Center 14027 5th Street Dade City, Florida 33525 (352) 518-2000 |
Hospitals in and near Wesley Chapel, FL
Florida Hospital 2600 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Wesley Chapel, Florida 33544 (813) 929-5000 |
Florida Hospital 7050 Gall Boulevard Zephyrhills, Florida 33541 (813) 788-0411 |
Wesley Chapel social security disability lawyers serve clients throughout Central Florida including Bayonet Point, Beacon Square, Crystal Springs, Dade City, Heritage Pines, Gulf Harbors, Holiday, Hudson, Land O' Lakes, Meadow Oaks, Moon Lake, New Port Richey, Odessa, Quail Ridge, River Ridge, Shady Hills, San Antonio, St. Leo, Trinity, Trilby, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and other communities in Pasco County.