Fort Worth Social Security Disability Attorney

Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer in Fort Worth TX

Social Security disability benefits can provide much-needed financial assistance for people who are unable to work due to a physical or mental impairment. If you think you may qualify for Social Security disability, you will want to make sure you take the correct steps when you apply for benefits. If you fail to provide the proper information or make other errors when submitting an application, your disability claim may be denied.

Applying for disability benefits can seem like a daunting task, but with the help of an experienced Fort Worth Social Security disability attorney, you can protect your right to receive the financial assistance you deserve. At The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, we can advise you on whether you are eligible for benefits, and we can identify any potential concerns that may affect your disability claim. In addition to assisting with your Social Security disability application, we work with you to appeal the denial of benefits. No matter where you are in the process of applying for Social Security disability, we will make sure you understand the steps you can take that will give you the best chance of successfully receiving the financial assistance you need.

Types of Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security offers several programs that provide benefits to people with disabilities, including:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) - This program is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security for a certain period of time. The amount of SSDI benefits you can receive will be based on the number of years you have worked and the level of income you have earned during your career.
• Disabled Widow/Widower Benefits (DWB or DIWW) - This program provides disability benefits for disabled widows and widowers who may not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI. Subject to several conditions, such a person may be able to receive DWB or DIWW benefits based on the earnings of their deceased spouse.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) - This program provides benefits to low-income individuals who are disabled. A person can qualify for SSI even if they have never worked or do not have enough work history to qualify for SSDI. However, certain restrictions will apply, and a person will only qualify for benefits if the total assets they own are below a certain threshold.

Eligibility for Social Security Disability

To be eligible for either of these programs, you must meet the Social Security Administration's definition of disability. The SSA defines a disability as an inability to perform work due to a medically determinable impairment that either results in death or has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year.

The SSA will consider a number of factors when determining whether you meet this definition of disability, including your age, education level, and work experience, as well as the specific medical condition that is affecting you. The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether you are eligible for benefits:

1. The SSA will first determine whether you are working and, if so, whether your earnings are above a certain level. If you are currently working, but your earnings are below the level of "substantial gainful activity" (SGA), you may be eligible for benefits.
2. The SSA will then consider whether your medical condition is "severe." To be severe, the impairment must interfere with your ability to perform basic work activities.
3. If the SSA determines that you have a severe impairment, they will then consider whether your condition meets or equals the criteria of any impairments listed in the SSA's "Listing" of disabling conditions. If your condition satisfies all the requirements for the relevant listed impairment, you will be automatically considered disabled. However, most people will not qualify at this step of review, as the standards are extremely strict.
4. Even if your condition does not meet or equal a listed impairment, the SSA will then consider whether you have the "residual functional capacity" to do work you have previously performed. However, SSA generally looks only to the past 15 years of work, considering only the jobs that resulted in gainful income and that you performed long enough to learn.
5. If you do not have the residual functional capacity to work in jobs that you have previously held, they will then consider whether there are any other jobs available that you can do, given your age, employment experience, education level, and physical or mental limitations.

Contact Our Fort Worth Social Security Disability Application Attorneys

There are a variety of issues that can arise during the Social Security disability application process. By working with an experienced attorney, you can determine the steps you can take that will give you the best chance of successfully receiving the financial assistance you need.

At The Law Offices of Coats & Todd, our Fort Worth Social Security disability benefits lawyers have more than 60 combined years of experience helping people navigate the Social Security disability system. To learn how we can help you receive disability benefits, contact us at 972-671-9922 and schedule a complimentary case evaluation today.