Social Security Disability
Helping you get the benefits you deserve.
Over the years, the Ted Smith Law Group has successfully represented hundreds of clients on their social security disability claims.
What is Social Security Disability?
The United States’ Social Security Administration (SSA) has two federal programs to provide financial help to disabled citizens:
- Social Security Disability (SSD) Insurance
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Claiming social security disability is a process about which many people are confused. Knowing what the law defines as disabled, as well as how the SSD process works, can give you a better understanding of what to expect during your own SSD case.
Fields of Social Security Disability
Social security disability is the classification for those disabled enough to qualify for governmental benefits. Benefits include a monthly cash award to provide a steady income to those who cannot work. The SSA created SSD benefit and insurance programs to help those who suffer from a condition that makes working enough to maintain a living impossible.
What is Social Security Disability Insurance?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays a disabled citizen and some family members monthly for the duration of the disability. As a result, SSDI does not limit the amount of income a disabled person can have from other benefit programs. Nevertheless, it does impose limits on the amount of income earned at a job.
If you qualify for SSD benefits and/or insurance, the amount you receive per month depends on your needs. You will receive SSD benefits until you can return to work or for the duration of your life, if you are permanently disabled. When you apply for SSD, you will need a social security disability report with information about physicians and facilities that have treated your condition. You will also need a list of your medical tests, prescriptions, and other healthcare information.
How do I qualify for SSD benefits?
For SSD purposes, applicants require an impairment that prevents them from working. Furthermore, the applicant’s impairment must have prevented work for the past 12 months or be expected to do so in the next 12 months. Also, impairments can be physical, psychological, or psychiatric in nature. Applicants must also be making below the maximum income level per month. This income is not including other forms of financial aid.
Generally, each state sets the maximum income amount from a job source at about $1,000 per month. Therefore, if you make more than the Texas limit from a job source, the SSA will deny your application without even looking at your disability qualifications. This is known as a “technical denial.” However, you may appeal the SSA’s decision and reapply for SSD benefits in the future. This would be the case if your income situation changes.
More About Social Security Disability Benefits
The SSA denies the majority of citizens who apply for SSD benefits and insurance. Many applicants do not suffer from medical conditions on the SSA’s list of qualifying conditions or make too much monthly income to qualify. If the SSA has denied your SSD application, do not worry. Like many applicants, you will have to appeal the SSA’s first application decision before successfully receiving benefits.
Contact us today
For more information regarding Texas’s SSD system, contact Ted Smith Law Group, PLLC. We have helped many disabled citizens appeal denied claims and can handle all communication between you and the SSA.
If you need help collecting the necessary documents and forms to apply for SSD benefits in Texas, we can help you with that as well. Finally, if you have any questions regarding SSD in our country, do not hesitate to call 254-690-5688 or contact us online.
