Harrison, AR Disability Benefits (SSDI) Attorney

If you have a medical condition that is preventing you from working, you undoubtedly worry about how you will cover your and your family’s needs. Our attorneys can help by preparing and applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) on your behalf.

Qualifying for SSDI benefits is a multi-step process notorious for its complexity. Our team is here to help clear up the confusion. We can review your medical records and compare them with disabilities approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). After we have gathered all your medical records, we will also prepare them for submission. Our goal is to have your application approved on the first try. We can also assess the number of work credits you have to see if you have sufficiently paid into Social Security. If you fall short, we can explore options that could still get the benefits you need.

For a free case assessment with our disability benefits attorneys, contact us at (479) 316-0438.

Qualifying Your Medical Condition for SSDI Benefits in Harrison, AR

To get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits, you will need to have a qualifying medical condition. If you do not meet the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) specific definition of a disability, your application will be denied in Harrison. Fortunately, our disability benefits attorneys can help you determine if you can get support for your disability from this program. With our experience, you will better understand the SSA’s process and your likelihood of qualifying.

However, you do not have to wait. If you gather your medical records, you can compare your diagnosis to the SSA’s list of conditions. The “Listing of Impairments” is grouped into various medical conditions, like musculoskeletal and respiratory disorders. Simply click on the section that applies to your condition, and you will be taken to a page with a list of impairments that qualify. It will also tell you how the SSA assesses each type of case.

This is why you will want to keep detailed medical records if your condition prevents you from working. This includes reports from your primary physician, any specialists you see, and medications you have been prescribed. The SSA will usually require these documents before deciding on your application.

The SSA will also want to know if you are working. Fortunately, you can still work in Harrison and qualify for benefits as long as you are not making over a certain amount. Otherwise, the SSA might conclude you make enough to support your condition.

However, most SSDI claims are denied because the SSA lacks enough medical evidence. Our lawyers can fight the denial by appealing it, where we can gather additional evidence to substantiate your claim.

How Many Work Credits You Need to Get Social Security Benefits in Harrison, AR

Proving your medical condition is only halfway to qualifying for SSDI. You will also need to have amassed enough work credits to get benefits. We can help by gathering employment records and reviewing your work history to determine the number of credits you have earned so far.

You undoubtedly have noticed the taxes taken out of each paycheck you receive. One of the taxes taken out is for Social Security. The SSA uses this to determine the amount of work credits you have earned. You will earn one work credit for every $1,730 you pay into Social Security from your wages. However, you can only earn four work credits a year, meaning you will earn your yearly limit once you have contributed about $7,000.

You will want to keep an eye on the contribution amount, though. The SSA raises the amount you must pay into Social Security each year. Fortunately, you can check this on the SSA’s website.

To qualify for SSDI, you must have at least 40 work credits. The catch is that 20 must have been earned in the last ten years. This essentially works out to about ten years of working before you can qualify for SSDI.

However, our attorneys can explore options if you do not have enough work credits to qualify. In some cases, we might be able to add a parent’s earning history to yours to meet the minimum. To do this, the SSA must qualify you as a “disabled adult child.” This means you are older than 18 but were diagnosed with a disability before turning 22 and are currently single. If your parents’ work history qualifies them for SSDI, our attorneys can see if it is a route to your benefits.

Understanding what you have paid is important because it will determine the amount of your monthly benefits. Our team can review your history and help estimate your potential benefits.

How Much Money You Can Earn and Keep Your SSDI Benefits in Harrison, AR

The key to keeping your benefits is not earning too much money while receiving SSDI. This might not be an issue if your condition prevents you from working. However, you might still need to work if you need to earn some income.

The SSA limits how much beneficiaries can earn while still getting benefits, which they refer to as “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA). As of 2024, the non-blind can earn up to $1,550 a month without going over the SGA. The blind can earn as much as $2,590 per month and remain under the SGA. The SSA will likely stop payments if your monthly income exceeds this amount.

The SSA might also subject you to a work trial period if you earn more than $1,110 a month. This will trigger if you work nine months or more over a five-year period. After that, the SSA will give you a grace period, giving us time to prove that you still need SSDI benefits.

Preparing for an SSA Disability Review in Harrison, AR

Once your claim is approved, benefits will not continue indefinitely. The SSA understands that not all medical conditions are permanent, so they might review your case periodically to see if you are still eligible for benefits.

However, these reviews do not happen on a predetermined basis. Instead, the SSA will usually conduct a “continuing disability review” when a beneficiary is expected to have recovered from their condition. When they decide to review your case will depend on the nature of your disability.

Perhaps you need to rely on SSDI after getting reconstructive surgery on a major joint like the knee or shoulder. In that case, the SSA might review your case after 12 months or sooner if your prognosis calls for it. If your condition is not likely to ever improve, the SSA will still conduct reviews, but usually not for several years. Our lawyers can help you prepare if you have an upcoming disability review with the SSA.

Our Harrison, AR Disability Benefits Attorneys Can Help Get the Benefits You Need

Call us at (479) 316-0438 to get a free case review with our with our disability benefits lawyers.