Stewart County Social Security Disability (SSDI/SSA) Lawyer

Making the decision to apply for Social Security disability benefits is not always easy. The prospect of being unable to work and provide for yourself or your family can be a challenging future to face, but Social Security disability exists to help people who are no longer able to work due to a disability.

If you have decided to move forward in seeking disability benefits in Tennessee, the Law Office of Daniel Martin can provide invaluable guidance and support throughout the entire process.

The majority of first-time applications are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and many of these denials have nothing to do with eligibility. Even if you meet all the criteria for Social Security disability, your claim may still be denied. Working with a disability lawyer means that denials based on incorrect or incomplete applications can be avoided, so contact us to schedule a free consultation with our Stewart County Social Security disability lawyer.

SSA and Disability Benefits in Tennessee

When people refer to Social Security benefits, they may be talking about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Income (SSI). These two programs are similar, but there are important distinctions.

SSDI and SSI

Both SSDI and SSI are provided by the Social Security Administration. Both programs base eligibility on the applicant’s ability to work. The similarities end there, though. SSDI also bases eligibility on disability conditions, and the program is associated with work history. Applicants for SSDI must have worked enough in the past and paid toward the program through their taxes. SSI does not require applicants to have any work history. Plus, people aged 65 or older may be eligible for SSI even without a disability.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits in Tennessee

The SSA application process for SSDI includes various evaluation requirements and criteria. The following five factors are weighed heavily in SSDI claims:

Work history and credits – applicants must meet the SSA’s work history requirements by accruing enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits.
The severity of impairment – the SSA’s definition of disability is strict, and the medical condition must be severe enough to fit within the narrow parameters.
Timeframe of impairment – the illness or injury must last at least one year, be permanent, or be expected to cause death.
Ability to work – applicants must be unable to perform the work they did previously. In addition, age, physical and mental limitations, and transferable skills will also be used to determine if a new job can be acquired.

The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions that it considers severe. Conditions that are not on the list may still qualify an applicant for SSDI benefits, but the process to prove eligibility may be more challenging.

Some conditions qualify for compassionate allowances, which is a way to identify applicants with conditions that meet the standards for SSDI benefits. Some of the conditions that are compassionate allowances are:

Angiosarcoma
Various other types of cancer
Early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

There are other medical conditions that are not eligible for compassionate allowance but do more often than not qualify applicants for SSDI benefits, including:

Neurological disorders
Immune system disorders
Hematological disorders
Vision or hearing loss

What to Expect When Applying for Social Security Disability

Applying for SSDI benefits can be confusing, overwhelming, and stressful for people who are unfamiliar with the process. An SSDI lawyer can provide valuable insight and guidance during the initial application phase, including gathering medical documentation and ensuring the forms are completed accurately. The approval rate for initial applications is only 37%. Answering the questions on the application is not enough to have your claim approved.

The Stewart County Social Security lawyer at the Law Office of Daniel Martin takes a strategic approach to SSDI claims that increases the chance of approval.

SSA Exam

After you submit your claim, you may be asked to participate in an SSA examination. Most often, an exam is requested in the following scenarios:

Your doctors have not complied with a request for documentation
The SSA believes your disability or medical condition requires a specialist’s review
Your medical history was incomplete or inconsistent

During the exam, you will be asked questions about your condition and how it impacts your life. You may also undergo a physical or psychological exam. Lab tests may also be required, depending on the nature of your condition.

Contact an SSA lawyer in Stewart County, TN

You don’t have to navigate your SSDI claims process alone. Contact the Law Office of Daniel Martin to schedule a free consultation and discuss your disability claim with our SSA lawyer.