Social Security
Disability Information
Navigating the vast federal bureaucracy of the Social Security Administration can be complicated and the majority of initial claims are denied. For this reason, it is crucial to have an experienced disability benefits attorney by your side.
Learn more below
Social Security Administration Programs
There are two federal programs managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA):
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): pays benefits to you and certain family members if you worked long enough, recently enough, and if you paid payroll taxes on your earnings.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): pays benefits to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources.
For both programs you may apply either online, by phone or in person.
Before starting the application make sure you have all the required information, a useful checklist can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/radr/10/ovw001-checklist.pdf
Once you complete the application it will be sent to the Disability Determination Services for a decision (it usually takes between 3 and 4 months to get a decision).
How the Social Security Administration Determines Eligibility
SSA uses a sequential analysis to determine eligibility for both SSDI and SSI programs. An eligible adult must meet the following criteria:
One or more severe medical impairments.
These impairments are likely to last one year or longer or result in death.
The impairments prevent you from performing your past work.
The impairments prevent you from performing any work in the national economy.
For a child to be found disabled:
The child must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities.
The child’s medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or result in death.
Receiving an Unfavorable Decision
If you receive an unfavorable decision you have the right to appeal - an initial denial does not necessarily mean that the applicant is not entitled to benefits!
An appeal must be writing within 60 days of receiving the decision.
There are four levels of appeal:
Reconsideration.
A hearing before an administrative law judge.
A review by Social Security’s Appeals Council.
A review by the federal courts.
If your claim has been denied, do not be discouraged and do not give up! Working with the Susan Ritacca Law Office can increase your chances of getting the benefits you need. My office is available to assist you with the initial application, in reconsideration, or if your claim has already been denied we will represent you at the hearing before an administrative law judge.
What to Know about the Social Security Administration and COVID-19
As of March 2020 all SSA offices shut down due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
In person business in all local offices remains closed *with the exception of certain circumstances and by appointment only.
Hearings continue to remain remote via telephone or video *in certain circumstances.
The Social Security Administration is expected to reopen field offices once again in the Spring of 2022 - all employees and visitors will be required to wear masks in Social Security offices, whether or not they are vaccinated.
Helpful Resources
Apply online: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib
Find your local office address and phone: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp
To see what estimated benefits you may be eligible for, or check the status of your application, create an account with the Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) website: https://nosscr.org/