Home » Monroe Social Security Disability Attorney
At Schaffer & Associates, we help clients navigate complex disability requirements, rules, and appeals processes. As your Monroe Social Security disability attorney, we know that 2.6million Michiganders have a disability of some kind.
Social Security Disability benefits can help you pay for:
- Food
- Housing
- Clothing
- Other living expenses
For over 30 years, we’ve advocated for clients who apply for Social Security Disability and helped them obtain financial assistance in their time of need. We have offices in Toledo and Findlay.
Contact us to speak to an attorney about your application process and eligibility.
How Do I File for Social Security Disability?
The Social Security Administration offers different ways to apply for disability benefits. It’s easiest to apply online, but you can also call one of the following toll-free numbers to schedule an in person application appointment:
- 1-800-772-1213
- 1-800-325-0778 (deaf or hard of hearing)
To complete an application, most applicants will need the following information: birth date, place of birth, marriage or divorce information, education information, details of your past employment, doctor’s information, dates of medical treatment, and more.
How Is Eligibility for Social Security Disability Determined?
The SSA outlines its process for determining whether an individual is eligible for benefits. It’s important to understand this process if you’re applying for Social Security disability benefits.
If you have enough work credits, the SSA will consider five questions to determine whether you’re eligible:
- Are you working? The SSA uses earnings guidelines to determine whether your work is at the substantial gainful activity threshold (SGA), which would disqualify you from benefits. If you’re not working or you’re employed but not performing SGA, your application will be sent to the Disability Determination Services office.
- Is the condition severe? Your impairment must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as walking, sitting, standing, lifting or remembering, for at least 12 months or result in death.
- Is your impairment on the list of disabling conditions? The SSA maintains a list of conditions deemed severe enough to be eligible for benefits. Even if your condition is not listed, you still may qualify. However, the process will be more complex.
- Can you perform the work you did previously? If not, the SSA will then assess your ability to adjust to different work.
- Can you do any other type of work? If it’s determined that you can perform other work, your claim will be denied.
What Types of Medical Conditions Qualify for Social Security Disability?
Medical conditions that qualify for Social Security Disability are broken down into several categories. The Social Security Administration’s handbook, Disability Evaluation Under Social Security, contains a list of qualifying impairments and the requirements for determining whether the condition is disabling.
Part A of the handbook covers qualifying disabilities for adults, which include conditions and their medical criteria that fall into the following categories:
- Musculoskeletal
- Immune system disorders
- Neurological issues
- Digestive disorders
- Special senses and speech
- Endocrine disorders
- Skin disorders
- Hematological disorders
- Mental disorders
- Congenital disorders affecting multiple body systems
- Cancer
- Genitourinary disorders
- Cardiovascular disease
- Respiratory disorders
What happens if your condition isn’t listed in the Disability Evaluation Under Social Security handbook? The disability claims examiner assigned to your case will determine whether or not the severity of your condition is equivalent to a similar listing. Either way, you will need to provide medical evidence proving your disability and its impact on your ability to work.
In cases where the impairment prevents you from working but doesn’t match the requirements in SSA’s handbook, it can be more challenging to obtain the benefits you need.
Having an experienced Monroe Social Security disability attorney on your side can make all the difference in the outcome. At Schaffer & Associates, LPA, we know the ins and outs of the application process. We can serve as your helping hand, guiding you through the process and helping you obtain the benefits you’re entitled to.
What Are the Social Security Disability Rules After Age 50?
If you’re over 50, the rules for Social Security Disability are more relaxed and can make it easier to be approved. For those over 50, you’ll still need to show an adequate work history and an inability to work due to your disability.
The Social Security Administration recognizes that age plays a role in a person’s ability to seek a new line of work or undergo training. If you’re under the age of 50, the SSA generally does not consider your age as seriously affecting your ability to perform new work.
- 50 – 54: You’re considered “closely approaching advanced age,” and the SSA considers this age combined with severe impairment(s) and limited work experience may seriously affect your ability to adjust to other work.
- 55 – 59: For a person of “advanced age”, SSA believes the ability to adjust to different types of work is seriously affected. Special rules exist for this age group.
- 60+: Special rules also exist for those closely approaching retirement and are more lenient than previous age groups.
The SSA will evaluate multiple factors to determine disability, such as your level of education, skill required in your former work, and transferability of these skills to another job. Residual functional capacity is also considered, which is an assessment of what you can do on a sustained basis.
Your education and past work history will be analyzed to determine if your skills allow you to work in another field. Potentially, your education may also be “obsolete,” therefore it may not be deemed relevant to the current job market.
Working with an attorney with decades of experience can help you better understand the medical-vocational grid, how Social Security Disability is determined at your age and a viable path forward when seeking approval.
What Is the Social Security Disability Five-Year Rule?
If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability, you may have heard of the “five-year rule.” This term often refers to the rule that you must have worked at least five of the last ten years to qualify for Social Security Disability. If you have not worked long enough or recently enough paying into Social Security, you may be a candidate for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Hiring an Experienced Social Security Disability Attorney Near Monroe
Filing for Social Security disability can be complicated. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the process – it’s not something you deal with every day. But we do.
We know that one misstep in your application can delay your benefits. You don’t have to go through this process alone.
Our highly knowledgeable and experienced attorneys have been assisting clients with their Monroe Social Security disability claims for more than three decades.
We are available to assist you. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation.
