Alma, AR Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has several programs for those who need financial support, including recently disabled workers.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits only cover a portion of disabled workers’ income and do not carry any additional medical benefits. Because of this, your monthly SSDI benefit will depend on your average lifetime earnings before sustaining a disability, meaning benefit amounts will vary from case to case. The SSA takes time to process disability claims, so preparing and submitting applications soon after receiving a diagnosis is important. Also crucial is understanding outside income limits for SSDI recipients, as earning too much while getting financial support from the SSA could jeopardize your continued eligibility.

For a free and confidential case assessment from our SSDI lawyers, call us today at (479) 316-0438.

What SSDI Benefits Cover for Recipients in Alma, AR

Social Security Disability Insurance benefits seek to cover some of a disabled worker’s lost income for as long as they are disabled. Exact benefit amounts vary from recipient to recipient, depending on their unique earning record.

Your monthly SSDI check will only replace some of your lost wages. SSDI does not provide medical benefits, and this type of support could come from other sources, depending on the situation. For example, those permanently injured due to negligence may get compensation for medical damages from liable parties by filing lawsuits. Workers injured on the job can seek medical benefits from their employer’s insurance, and SSDI will not cover these losses.

Instead, SSDI gives you some of the income you would have earned had you not sustained an injury or disability. The SSA bases payment amounts on an applicant’s average lifetime earnings covered by Social Security, and our SSDI lawyers can estimate your likely payment so you know what to expect.

The maximum monthly SSDI benefit amount is $3,822 in 2024, but it is not guaranteed for each applicant, depending on their average lifetime earnings. The maximum monthly benefit increases annually to account for cost-of-living adjustments.

Your SSDI benefit check is yours to use on whatever bills and expenses you may have. If you request direct deposit, the SSA will deposit your monthly check into your bank account on your payment date. Recipients can also choose to get checks sent in the mail, though this method often involves delays.

When to Start Preparing SSDI Benefit Applications in Alma, AR

Applicants must submit thorough SSDI applications to the SSA lest they risk being rejected and having to restart the process entirely. Our attorneys can help those seeking SSDI organize the appropriate information for their claims immediately so they can get approved sooner.

After being diagnosed with a qualifying injury, illness, or disability, you should begin the SSDI application process. Note the time when you stopped being able to work because of your condition. The SSA typically imposes a five-month waiting period for approval from the date a disability began. However, it may waive this waiting period in certain cases, like if an applicant has ALS.

The SSA requires significant information and documentation for SSDI applications, starting with the applicant’s personal details. In addition to providing your name, address, and Social Security number, you must also note whether or not you have dependents and other household expenses.

Though the SSA has its records to confirm your average lifetime earnings covered by Social Security, our lawyers can provide past and current employment records detailing your income.

Hospital and medical records are the most important evidence to submit in your application. This medical information can confirm your injuries meet SSA criteria for SSDI approval, and our attorneys can get medical experts to give statements about your inability to work in your current condition. We can help applicants request records from providers and keep them organized throughout the application process.

If an application lacks certain information, the SSA may request more evidence, like statements from treating physicians or diagnostic testing results. If your claim was recently rejected, our attorneys can review the SSA’s reasons for denial and prepare a new application with the necessary information to confirm your eligibility.

Keeping Additional Income Low While Getting SSDI Payments in Alma, AR

Once approved for SSDI, recipients must keep additional income low, or they will risk the SSA revoking their benefits. This is because of substantial gainful activity (SGA) limits and trial work periods (TWPs), which restrict how much you can earn while getting financial support from the government.

When you are approved for SSDI, it is understood that you cannot earn a sufficient income because of your medical condition. The SSA defines substantial gainful activity as earning more than $2,590 per month if you are blind or more than $1,150 per month if you are not blind.

While getting SSDI, you must report all outside income to the SSA so that it can monitor your continued eligibility. If you exceed SGA limits for a month, the SSA might keep your SSDI check for that month and resume payments once you go below the threshold.

Although SSDI can last for the rest of your life, the SSA allows recipients to test their ability to return to work with trial work periods. Trial work periods are complicated, and letting them go unchecked by routinely earning over $1,110 in nine months could lead to a loss of benefits. Applicants should understand income limits before applying for SSDI so that they can plan accordingly.

In addition to monitoring recipients’ incomes, the SSA monitors their medical conditions after approving claims. An SSA agent might contact you periodically for a continuing disability review, and our lawyers can help recipients prepare for these assessments by organizing updated medical evidence of their conditions.

Call Our Alma, AR Lawyers for Help with Your SSDI Application

For a case review from our SSDI lawyers, call us at (479) 316-0438.