Mountain Home, AR Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

Sometimes, an injury or illness keeps us from working. When that happens, you will need help to get through this difficult time.

Fortunately, those who cannot work because of a medical condition can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to get monthly payments for rent, food, and other expenses. Our attorneys have extensive experience with these cases and can help determine if you qualify for benefits. We will assess if you have paid enough money into Social Security and do not make too much if you are still working. Most importantly, we will gather your medical documentation and prepare it so you have the best chance of getting your application approved on the first try. If you have had trouble getting approved, we can explore options to appeal previous denials.

For a free case review with our Social Security Disability attorneys, contact us today at (479) 316-0438.

Determining the Basic to See if You Will Qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance in Mountain Home, AR

Social Security Disability Insurance, or “SSDI” for short, is a much-needed form of financial support for those who cannot work in Mountain Home because of a disability. If a physical injury or newly diagnosed disease prevents you from working or working in a more limited capacity than you did before the condition, you might qualify for SSDI. However, whether you will get benefits will turn on a few factors.

First, you cannot make over a certain amount of income. SSDI is for those whose condition physically prevents them from earning the same income as before, so if you can earn over a certain amount, you might not qualify.

Second, you must also have actively worked for some period of your life to earn work credits. This is because SSDI benefits are paid from federal Social Security taxes, which most workers pay from each paycheck. Our Social Security Disability attorneys can determine if you meet these criteria. If so, we can then start gathering the records to confirm your qualifying medical condition and prepare your application to file with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The following will help you understand whether you meet the basic requirements for SSDI in Mountain Home:

Determining Your Substantial Gainful Activity

Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA) is the term the SSA uses to refer to the amount of income an SSDI recipient can make without losing their benefits. While the SSA does not prevent you from working completely while receiving benefits, it limits the amount because SSDI is not intended to supplement income but to stand in for it.

In 2024, the SSA allows non-blind individuals to earn up to $1,550 per month without risking the loss of benefits. For blind individuals, the earning limit is higher, set at $2,590 per month. Fortunately, these limits are adjusted annually to account for inflation. You can also find the updated figures on the SSA’s official website.

These limits apply whether you are applying for benefits for the first time or already receiving them. Even if you earn below the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limits, your case might be subject to review by the SSA. The SSA routinely conducts trial work periods to assess a beneficiary’s ability to re-enter the workforce without restrictions. This trial period is typically activated if you earn more than $1,110 per month and have worked at least nine months within a five-year period.

Determining Your Work Credit History

You will also need to have a certain amount of work credits to qualify for SSDI. Currently, you must have attained 40 work credits to be approved. However, you must have earned half of these credits within the last ten years.

If you have worked for a significant part of your life, you will likely have enough credits. Workers get a credit for every $1,730 they pay in Social Security taxes. You can earn at most four credits every year, so your yearly credits will have been earned after contributing $6,920. Like SGA, the amount you have to contribute to earn a credit increases each year. Our lawyers can help determine if you have the right number of credits by reviewing your employment history and tax records.

If you do not have enough work credits on your own, your parents’ work credits might be able to supplement what you do have. However, there are a number of qualifying conditions you must meet to do this. You must have been younger than 21 when your condition affected your ability to work but over 18 when applying for benefits. You must also currently be unmarried. If you meet these factors, your parents’ work credits can help push you past the limit.

Determining if You Have a Medical Condition that Qualifies for SSDI in Mountain Home, AR

Establishing the above criteria is relatively straightforward compared to proving whether you have a qualifying medical condition as defined by the SSA. This is the stage where many applications are denied, not because the applicant does not have a requisite condition but because they did not provide enough medical documentation.

Our team can help determine if you have a listed qualifying injury or illness and gather the evidence to prove it to the SSA. If you can show that your condition will last at least a year or is fatal, your application will likely be approved. The following are common medical conditions that will qualify you for SSDI:

Cancer

A confirmed diagnosis for virtually any type of cancer should qualify you for SSDI benefits. Major conditions like breast cancer, intestinal cancer, leukemia, and Hodgkin’s disease should automatically qualify. However, you can still apply for benefits if you have a type of cancer that can be removed, but treatments will still limit your ability to work, like skin cancer.

Cardiovascular Conditions

Many cardiovascular conditions also qualify. For instance, if you have heart disease or high blood pressure (hypertension), you can apply for benefits.

Immune System Conditions

Many immune system disorders prevent people from working. For instance, you can qualify for SSDI if you have been diagnosed with AIDS or HIV. You can also apply if you have inflammatory arthritis or suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.

Chronic Pain

Constant physical pain is a common reason workers apply for SSDI. However, it usually takes significant medical documentation to prove, so be sure to visit the doctors and follow their treatment plans. In some cases, it might be simple to prove you will not be able to work because of a physical injury, like getting a hip replaced. Many other claims are filed because workers suffer herniated discs in their spines or have partial to full paralysis from the type of work they do.

Our Mountain Home, AR Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help You Start Your Application Today

Call us today at (479) 316-0438 to receive your free case assessment with our Social Security Disability lawyers.