Hazleton Social Security Disability Lawyer
Social Security Disability is part of a federal program that was designed to protect workers from losing their ability to earn an income if they become completely disabled at some point. The law requires that both employers and employees contribute to the program, which is commonly known as SSD. The process of applying for Social Security Disability and getting your claim approved can be a challenging one. In most cases, your claim will be denied.
You may be wondering what recourse you have if your claim is denied. When you retain an experienced Hazleton Social Security Disability lawyer, he or she will help you understand the process and work toward getting your benefits approved. At O’Donnell Law Offices, we help Pennsylvania clients work to get their SSD claims approved, even if that means filing an appeal.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability Benefits?
It’s important to understand that Social Security Disability benefits are only awarded to those who have suffered a total disability. This means that if you have a partial disability rating or your disability is short-term, you will not be eligible. To be considered totally disabled, you must meet the specified requirements. These include:
- You can no longer do the same type of work that you were doing prior to the injury;
- You cannot adjust to another type of work because of your medical condition; and
- This disability is expected to last at least one year minimum or it will result in death.
Make sure you don’t confuse Social Security Disability (SSD) with Social Security Income (SSI). Both require a disability, but SSI is for people who are in financial need and disabled. SSD is for disabled workers who have already paid into the system through their employer.
Some Examples of Social Security Disability Injuries
There are numerous situations that can leave someone totally disabled. Depending on the circumstances, some Social Security Disability cases may involve:
- Cancer
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Bipolar Disorder
- Lupus
- Fibromyalgia or chronic pain syndrome
- Stroke
- Coronary artery disease
- Herniated spinal discs
- Emphysema/COPD
- Hip and knee replacement surgery
- Personality disorders
- Heart arrhythmias
Reasons Disability Claims Might Be Denied in Pennsylvania
As previously mentioned, it’s not uncommon to have your Social Security Disability claim denied the first time around. Some potential reasons can include:
- Your disability can be connected to a problem like alcoholism or substance abuse.
- Your disability can be linked to a criminal conviction.
- You didn’t follow the orders from your doctors.
- You didn’t provide sufficient treatment records to support a total disability record.
- You are only expected to be off work for a couple of months at most, which is a temporary disability, not total.
- You failed to follow instructions when filing your initial claim paperwork.
Contact a Hazleton Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer Today
If you filed a Social Security Disability benefits claim on your own and it was denied, do not get discouraged. Let an experienced Pennsylvania Social Security Disability benefits lawyer help you file an appeal. Contact O’Donnell Law Offices today to schedule an initial consultation.
