St. Petersburg SSDI Lawyer
You may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits which can provide you and your family with the income you need to survive. Floridians who have become disabled should contact a St Petersburg SSDI lawyer to review the facts and circumstances surrounding their disability. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine what information may be needed to receive SSDI benefits.
Defining Monthly Benefits
SSDI provides monthly benefits to Floridians who have become disabled and can no longer work. SSDI benefits are based on the taxes someone has paid into Social Security during their lifetime. At the present time, the average SSDI payment is roughly $1,200 per month for those who qualify. The Social Security Administration (SSA) publishes what is commonly referred to as the “Blue Book” which is a detailed manual listing the various types of impairments which may qualify someone to receive SSDI benefits such as:
- Blood disorders
- Cancers
- Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism, and retardation
- Digestive tract disorders
- Hearing loss
- Heart conditions
- Immune system disorders Kidney disorders
- Musculoskeletal conditions
- Neurological disorders
- Respiratory illnesses
- Skin disorders
- Vision loss
While the SSA’s Blue Book is very thorough, it is important to keep in mind that a person’s conditions do not have to match the book’s descriptions exactly. A St Petersburg SSDI lawyer can compare the medical descriptions in the Blue Book against a potential SSDI applicant’s to determine whether they have a valid claim for benefits.
Applying for SSDI
The SSDI process can be complicated. The SSA generally requires applicants to provide very specific medical information to show that they are disabled according to guidelines and qualify for benefits. Maneuvering through the SSDI process can be challenging and many initial applications are denied if every piece of information is not provided. There is no “good enough” when it comes to providing information to the SSA.
Many SSDI applications which were initially denied are approved on appeal – often with the assistance of a SSDI attorney who understands how the process works and can:
- Analyze whether medical reports are consistent with SSA regulations
- Provide guidance during the hearing
- Refer applicants to specialists when records are inconsistent with SSA regulations
- Request the reopening of a prior application
- Retain a vocational expert’s evaluation of an applicant’s ability to work
- Subpoena witnesses or documents
A St. Petersburg SSDI lawyer can help applicants maneuver through the process and increase their chances of prevailing the first time around.
Benefit of a Lawyer
Anyone who has been denied valid SSDI benefits should contact a St. Petersburg SSDI lawyer to review their situation and determine how to rectify errors which may have caused the denial. Do not get discouraged if you have been denied or are having a difficult time with the initial application.
SSDI claims can be very complex and St. Petersburg SSDI lawyers understand how frustrating and time-consuming that process can be. You can rely on their expertise to guide you through that process and have the peace of mind knowing that all of the necessary paperwork has been filed and deadlines have been met.