When you are facing the challenges of a disability that prevents you from working, you need the assistance of an experienced, skillful Tulsa Social Security disability attorney. With over 30 years of experience helping Oklahomans acquire the disability benefits they deserve, Gary Wayne Jones can be a powerful ally for you.
You may be entitled to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits or Social Security Income (SSI) benefits. However, the application and approval process can be challenging and leave you feeling frustrated and hopeless.
Most first-time claims are denied and many are denied again during the reconsideration phase. Statistics show that your chances of approval are far greater when you have experienced legal representation.
There are many ways you can improve your chances of qualifying even in the initial phases of applying for benefits. Before starting the claims process, it is always best to speak to a Tulsa Social Security disability attorney.
If you are feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the Social Security disability process, we can help. Gary Wayne Jones is committed to helping the residents of Tulsa and the surrounding areas get the disability benefits they deserve.
Additionally, if you are seeking assistance for Social Security Income, consider consulting a Tulsa Social Security Income lawyer to maximize your chances of success.
Call us today at (405) 236-1416 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation.
Do I Qualify For SSDI Or SSI Benefits?
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to workers who have become disabled if they have paid enough premiums to qualify. Premiums are paid monthly by employees when their employer withholds FICA from their paychecks.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays benefits to severely disabled people with very limited income and resources. To qualify for SSI, a person must either be ineligible to receive SSDI or are only able to receive a very small amount of SSDI. The SSI program also pays benefits to people who are blind and adults with limited income who are 65 or older.
Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
There are strict rules for qualifying for disability benefits. In most cases, you must have a physical or mental impairment that prevents you from engaging in “substantial gainful activity.”
To qualify for SSDI, your physical or mental disability must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, or is expected to result in death. Additionally, your disability must prevent you from doing the work you were doing before your disability as well as prevent you from doing other kinds of work due to your condition.
You must have also worked at a job that withheld social security premiums pursuant to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) from your paycheck each month. When determining eligibility the SSA considers your “work credits.” Work credits are the credits you accumulate when a portion of the taxes withheld from your employment are paid to the SSA. The amount of work credits needed to qualify for SSDI depends on your age.
As long as you are working and paying FICA each month you are considered “insured” for disability benefits. However, if you stop working and paying FICA, your insured status will eventually end.
Generally, your insured status will end five years after you last worked. You must prove that you became disabled before the date your insured status ended to be eligible for SSDI benefits.
Social Security Disability Application Requirements
Qualifying for Social Security disability can quickly become overwhelming for most people. The application requires that you complete numerous SSA forms and provide evidence to prove the information on those forms.
Some of the additional records you will need to submit with your SSA forms may include your workers’ compensation records if you were injured on the job, and medical records proving your disability.
Preparing the SSA forms and gathering the records to substantiate your claims can be time-consuming and confusing. After all this work, if your claim is denied, you may feel like giving up. But don’t.
Having an experienced Tulsa Social Security Disability lawyer by your side can ease your burden and streamline the process, helping you qualify and begin receiving your benefits sooner.
How Can A Social Security Disability Attorney in Tulsa Help?
First-time applicants for Social Security benefits are usually denied. In fact, only about 20% of applications are approved at the initial stage.
An experienced Tulsa Social Security disability attorney has the skill and deep understanding of the law and regulations to avoid the common pitfalls of the SSA process and to position your application in the best possible light.
Some of the steps your Tulsa Social Security disability attorney may take to support your claim include:
- Have your doctor prepare a report about your condition that is consistent with the SSA regulations
- Gather evidence to prove the severity of your condition
- Help obtain a functional capacity evaluation (FCE) also known as a medical source statement
- Have subpoenas issued to important witnesses
- Review all actions taken by the SSA
- Cross-examine SSA witnesses at your Administrative Hearing
- Ensure your benefits are calculated correctly
- Request a review by the SSA Appeals Council if you are denied
The Social Security disability application process is strict and even small errors can cause your application to be denied. Let us help you apply for and receive the maximum disability benefits you are entitled to.
Gary Wayne Jones exclusively practices Social Security Disability Law. He has been successfully helping Oklahomans get the disability benefits they deserve for over 30 years. He will be your guide through every stage of your case and will work tirelessly to protect your rights.
Contact The Law Center For Social Security Disability Today
If you are struggling with a disability that prevents you from working, you may be entitled to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income benefits.
The Law Center For Social Security Disability and attorney Gary Wayne Jones know how to successfully navigate the SSA landscape and get the disability benefits you are eligible for.
Give us a call at (405) 236-1416 or visit our contact page today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We will sit down with you, listen to your story, answer all your questions, and explain your rights. If we represent you, we will aggressively fight to get you the full amount of disability benefits you are entitled to.