Conway, AR Disability Benefits Lawyer

To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in Conway, your ability to work will be assessed. The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers “disabled” as being unable to work and the basis for qualification for SSDI benefits.

Your current income is also taken into account when evaluating your work capacity by the SSA. If you can financially support yourself, the SSA might not consider you “disabled.” The SSA updates the income limits for disability benefits annually. This means that if you are unable to work, you might be eligible for gradually increasing benefits. You will want to confirm your eligibility for SSDI before applying.

For a free case analysis with our SSDI lawyers, contact us today at (479) 316-0438.

Determining Eligibility for SSDI Benefits in Conway, AR

To qualify for disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA), individuals must meet specific standards to demonstrate that they are classified as “disabled.” While having a qualifying condition is essential, the severity of the disability is even more critical. The SSA requires the disability to be severe enough to prevent the individual from working to accept it as “disabling” for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Our SSDI attorneys can help you determine whether you qualify for benefits and help you prepare your application. Additionally, the SSA can make exceptions for individuals with conditions not listed as long as they are equally as severe as the accepted conditions.

The severity of a medical condition is evaluated by the SSA based on its impact on your ability to work. If you cannot move or transport yourself, it is likely that you cannot work. Furthermore, if you require assistance with tasks such as filling out applications, you might be eligible for SSDI. The SSA takes into account your work experience and capabilities to determine if you are able to perform other types of work. For instance, if you previously worked in an office but then switched to construction work, your disability might prevent you from performing construction tasks, but you might still be able to do office work. To qualify for SSDI, it is typically necessary to be completely unable to work due to a medical condition.

Even if an individual is capable of completing some job-related tasks, they can still apply for disability benefits in Conway. The Social Security Administration considers several factors and does not make definitive determinations regarding disability. They acknowledge that specific disabilities might be more appropriate for certain types of work. Thus, those who can work in some capacity are not automatically excluded from receiving SSDI benefits. The SSA assesses an individual’s earning potential, and eligibility is based on this evaluation.

How the Social Security Administration Calculates SSDI Benefits in Conway, AR

To qualify for SSDI benefits, it is necessary to have contributed to Social Security for at least five years within a ten-year period. Without meeting this requirement, you will not be eligible for benefits.

If you have been unemployed for five years, your eligibility for disability insurance ends if you have made contributions to the system. To receive SSDI benefits, you must prove that you met the disability requirements before your insurance expired. The timeline for this varies depending on your employment history.

The Social Security Administration uses a formula to determine your monthly SSDI benefit. Typically, payments for SSDI are around $1,358 per month. The amount of Social Security taxes paid during your lifetime determines the monthly SSDI payment.

The SSA calculates the monthly SSDI benefit using an “average indexed monthly earnings” (AIME) formula based on your average earnings over a few years. Your AIME is then used to determine your “primary insurance amount” (PIA), which is the monthly payment you will receive.

How to Determine Your Primary Insurance Amount in Conway, AR

There are different ways to calculate your monthly benefits and PIA. One option is to use the Online Benefits Calculator provided by the Social Security Administration. Another option is to create an account with the SSA online, where they will guide you through the necessary steps to determine your benefits.

Your monthly SSDI payment might be subject to deductions for various reasons. The SSA might reduce your payment amount if you earn income from employment, receive compensation from Workers’ Compensation, receive retirement benefits from the SSA, or receive benefits from other insurance programs.

Reasons Why SSDI Is Denied in Conway, AR

SSDI applicants can receive a technical denial for various reasons. This denial does not necessarily mean that the person is not disabled or does not have a severe medical condition. The SSA might have found that there was no medical evidence to consider or that the individual did not meet a specific technical requirement. Below are some common reasons for a technical denial of benefits:

Failed to Provide Medical Evidence

Many disability claims are denied due to a lack of medical evidence supporting the existence of the disability. While the organization processing the claim might not question the claimant’s honesty, they require additional information to validate the disability. It is essential to provide comprehensive information during the initial claim or appeal process to prevent this problem.

Failed to Follow Your Treatment Plan

There are many reasons why someone might not follow their doctor’s orders or treatment plans, such as an inability to afford medication or treatments. If this occurs, it could affect the decision of an administrative law judge when determining Social Security disability benefits. It is important to complete the treatment plan to obtain the necessary records that support the claim.

The Monthly Earnings Limit Exceeded

Disabled individuals who receive SSDI are obligated to comply with monthly income limitations called substantial gainful income (SGA). However, legally blind individuals are permitted to earn more each month before being disqualified for benefits. In 2023, the Social Security benefits income threshold for non-blind individuals will be set at $1,470, while blind individuals have an SGA cap of $2,460 per month. It is vital to keep track of these thresholds as they will be revised by the SSA from time to time.

The Asset Limit Exceeded

Individuals with limited resources can receive assistance through the SSDI program. However, those seeking SSDI benefits must undergo a means testing that evaluates their household assets. This test caps SSDI recipients at $2,000 in assets for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Since most beneficiaries do not have additional income sources, they typically receive the basic monthly SSI benefit, which currently stands at $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples as of 2023.

Our Conway SSDI Lawyers Can Help

Reach out to our SSDI attorneys at (479) 316-0438 to receive your free case review today.