Social Security

Our firm will accept a new client at the first three stages of a Social Security claim. However, please contact our office if you have received a denial at the Hearing level, as there may be other avenues that are open to you.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is the disability program that is tied to your earnings record. In order to qualify for SSDI, a claimant must have worked five full years out of the previous ten years and paid into the Social Security system. It is not necessary for those years to be consecutive, however they are cumulative.

Social Security regulations require that you be unable to work for twelve consecutive months.  If you return to work prior to that timeframe, there will be no claim.  Once you have passed the twelve month mark, and you return to work, you will still have a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim, however, the structure of that claim will change.

If you are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) only, and you return to work, your SSI benefits will be adjusted according to any income you receive.

Unfortunately, this is not an overnight process.  Initial application generally takes from 4 to 6 months for a decision to be rendered.  If it is a denial, the Reconsideration may take 2 to 4 months for a decision and if it is a second denial, an administrative hearing generally takes from 9 to 18 months for a hearing to be scheduled.