At Larry Pitt & Associates, our team of Bensalem Social Security disability lawyers is ready to represent you and your needs. Our Bucks County advocates help claimants prove they meet the government’s disability standards.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a remedy for people who were working but now are unable to do their job for a certain reason. Anyone at any age is eligible for SSDI if they meet the eligibility requirements. Workers can become disabled due to an illness or an accident. Unlike workers’ compensation, there is no requirement to show that the disability was caused by something that happened at work. Family members may also be eligible for SSDI in some cases if the applicant qualifies.

The Bensalem Social Security disability lawyers at Larry Pitt & Associates can help you navigate the confusing process of SSDI eligibility. We have been helping disabled workers for more than 35 years. We explain the application and appeal process. Most importantly, we work with your medical doctors and independent doctors, when necessary, to confirm your ailment is on the SSDI impairment list or that you meet the other standards for eligibility.

Understanding Social Security Disability Insurance

SSDI is a governmental program that is funded by employee and employer contributions. The employee contribution is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) part of your paycheck or the amount you pay in Social Security taxes if you are self-employed. Not every worker is eligible for SSDI. You must have worked for at least five of the 10 years prior to your application date. In addition, employees must show:

• That the disability prevents you from doing your job
• That the disability also prevents you from doing any other type of work
• That the disability is expected to last for at least one year

If you pass the disability requirements, the Social Security Administration (SSA) then calculates the amount of your monthly check based on your average lifetime earnings and the number of years you worked.

The following family members may also be entitled to additional SSDI benefits (subject to certain additional rules):

• Your minor child
• An adult child who is disabled
• A spouse who is of retirement age (currently 62)

The maximum amount of SSDI benefits, as of 2018, is $2,788 per month. When you reach retirement age, you normally get your retirement benefits instead of SSDI.

Our Bensalem Disability lawyers fight to get you and eligible family members every dollar the SSA allows. We help you file the correct paperwork and represent you at the SSDI hearing.

Who is Eligible for SSDI?

The SSA begins their analysis by determining whether your injury or illness is on their “list of impairments.” The impairment list aims to cover most types of disabling injuries/illnesses. The list is very detailed and includes what medical documentation and tests are needed to verify you have a condition that is on the list.

Our Bensalem Disability lawyers work with your doctors to verify the physicians gave you the right tests and clearly detailed your medical conclusion. The impairment list groups into 14 medical categories. Some of the categories are:

• Respiratory illnesses
• Injuries to the musculoskeletal system
• Skin disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Immune system disorders
• Cancer
• Heart disease

What Happens if Your Medical Condition is Not on the Approved List?

If your ailment is not on the list, our lawyers can help you qualify for Disability by showing your medical difficulties are comparable to one of the listed conditions.

If you still don’t qualify, don’t lose hope. Our attorneys have additional ways to help you qualify. The following factors contribute to determining if you qualify for SSDI:

• Your age
• Your education
• Your past work experience
• Whether you have any transferable skills

A lot of work needs to be done to clarify what type of skills you have and how strenuous your past jobs were. Older applicants, those with less education, those who did manual labor and not sedentary labor, and those people without transferable talents have the highest likelihood of being approved for SSDI.

Call Our Bensalem Office to Speak With a Respected Social Security Disability Lawyer From Larry Pitt & Associates

Many people just can’t work because of cancer, a heart attack, HIV/AIDS, loss of an arm or leg, blindness, or for other medical reasons. If you are unable to work and have no reasonable prospect of finding suitable employment, we explain your rights. We work with doctors who are experienced with disability issues.

Our Bucks County Social Security disability lawyers are strong advocates who do the detailed work to help you win your claim. For help now, please call Larry Pitt & Associates at (888) PITT-LAW or fill out our contact form to discuss your claim for free at our Bensalem office in Bucks County.