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Get Expert Social Security Disability Help in Fayetteville, NC

Social Security Disability Attorneys with a Proven Track Record Helping Clients Recover Social Security Disability Benefits in North Carolina

The United States government has benefits programs designed to assist disabled individuals with financial support. However, the application and appeals process for acquiring disability benefits can be complicated and overwhelming. If you have a qualifying disabling medical condition, you may be eligible to be awarded benefits from the U.S. government. To apply for or appeal a claim, it is strongly encouraged that disabled North Carolina residents and their families retain professional legal support from experienced Social Security disability lawyers.

Our legal team has extensive experience representing North Carolina residents with complex Social Security disability cases. Whether you are going through the application process, disability hearings, or appeals process or are merely looking to understand your eligibility for disability benefits, our law offices would be proud to lend legal assistance.

If you can no longer work due to an illness, personal injury, or some other disabling medical condition, you could be entitled to SSI or SSD benefits. To learn more about the legal services that our law firm provides, please contact our Fayetteville law office to discuss your case in more detail. In addition to offering free consultations to prospective new clients, our legal team operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you don’t pay us a dime in legal fees unless we win your case.

Are You Eligible to Receive Disability Benefits?

Different strict eligibility criteria exist for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Both are federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provide assistance for the financial needs of disabled North Carolina residents.

SSI and SSDI eligibility criteria are based on financial eligibility, medical eligibility, and work requirements.

To qualify for Fayetteville Social Security disability insurance, a person must have a qualifying work history with contributions to Social Security through payroll taxes. Additionally, they must have paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years and have a qualifying disabling medical condition.

Social Security income is a government program based on needs. SSI provides benefits to disabled people with limited income and resources, regardless of their work history. Eligibility for SSI benefits is determined based on financial need, disabling condition, and age.

Our lawyers have extensive experience representing clients in pursuing SSI and SSDI benefits. To speak with a Social Security disability lawyer about your case, please contact our Fayetteville law firm to schedule your free initial consultation today.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

People with substantial work history who have paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years but have recently developed a disability that is likely to last a year or result in their death could qualify for Social Security disability insurance. If you’ve ever wondered where the FICA or SECA taxes go after they are taken out of your paycheck, these are part of Social Security taxes paid towards funding SSDI benefits.

In addition to paying benefits to a disabled worker with a qualifying medical condition, there are also SSDI benefits for disabled widows and disabled adult children.

To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have worked long enough to be considered insured for Social Security purposes. Usually, this means that five out of the last ten years, you must have been employed if you are over the age of 31. Your employment must have paid into the Social Security program. You have developed a qualifying disability that will last for at least 12 months. And your disabling medical condition prevents you from earning a minimum level of income.

What Are Common SSDI Benefits?

Social Security disability insurance provides several different types of benefits to individuals who cannot work because of a qualifying disability.

Potential benefits may include the following:

  • Continued benefits for education
  • Medicare coverage
  • Monthly cash benefits
  • Partial benefits for dependents
  • Protection of future benefits
  • Special rules for legally blind individuals
  • Vocational rehabilitation services
  • Work incentives

The types of benefits you may receive will depend on your unique situation. To discuss your case in more detail and learn the benefits you could potentially receive from the Social Security Administration, please contact our law firm’s attorneys today.

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

Supplemental Security Income is a federal supplement program created to provide support to low-income disabled individuals and people over the age of 65. The federal program provides monthly cash benefits to help these qualifying individuals meet their basic needs, such as paying for housing, food, and clothing.

To qualify for SSI benefits, you must be a U.S. citizen of limited income and meet one of the following requirements:

  • You are at least 65 years of age
  • You are disabled with a qualifying medical condition that prevents you from working for at least a year or potentially result in your death
  • You are totally or partially blind

Children under the age of 18 may be eligible to apply for SSI benefits if they have a qualifying disabling medical condition.

Many people would benefit from Social Security income, whether because they are disabled or older adults who cannot meet their needs on their own. If you are one such person who would benefit from SSI monthly cash payments, contact our law firm to discuss your questions and concerns with an experienced Social Security disability attorney.

What Are Common SSI Benefits?

To qualify for Social Security income, you must not make too much income or possess a large number of assets. Generally speaking, if you have a qualifying medical condition that prevents you from working and have limited income and resources, you could qualify for SSI benefits.

In 2024, monthly payments from SSI were roughly $943 for an individual and $1,415 for an eligible couple. If you receive financial support from others, SSI benefits could be reduced by one-third.

In North Carolina, Medicaid recipients are also entitled to apply for SSI benefits.

What is the Difference Between SSI and SSDI Benefits?

SSI and SSDI are federal income programs designed to help individuals with disabilities that prevent them from working and earning a minimum wage. The programs primarily differ in who they help and how they are funded.

The SSDI program is designed to lend financial assistance to individuals with substantial work histories who have paid Social Security taxes for a number of years. U.S. federal payroll taxes fund it.

SSI is designed to provide financial support to low-income disabled individuals who cannot work, have never been able to work, or have not worked long enough or recently enough to qualify for SSDI benefits. The program is funded by general tax revenues.

What Are Accepted Medical Conditions for Disability Benefits in North Carolina?

To qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits, you must have a qualifying medical condition in the eyes of the Social Security Administration. The SSA analyzes the severity of each individual’s unique situations and determines whether those disabilities cause severe limitations on the person’s life.

Types of medical conditions in the SSA’s listing of impairments include the following:

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Blindness
  • Cardiovascular disorders like chronic heart failure and recurrent arrhythmias
  • Chronic bronchitis and other respiratory disorders
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Digestive disorders
  • Epilepsy and other neurological disorders
  • Extensive burns
  • Gastrointestinal hemorrhages
  • Hearing loss
  • Heart transplants
  • Inflammatory arthritis and other immune system disorders
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Kidney disease or kidney transplant
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Loss of speech
  • Lung transplantation
  • Lupus
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Musculoskeletal disorders such as spine disorders, amputations, osteoarthritis, and major bone fractures
  • Parkinsonian syndrome
  • Skin disorders like dermatitis
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Various forms of cancer, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia

Additionally, certain mental disorders could be qualifying medical conditions for Social Security disability benefits. These include schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, neurocognitive disorders, intellectual disorders, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders, depressive and bipolar disorders, somatic symptom-related disorders, impulse control disorders, autism spectrum disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, eating disorders, and trauma or stressor-related disorders.

What is the Role of Medical Evidence in a Disability Claim?

Medical evidence and thorough medical records are the foundation upon which every successful Social Security disability insurance claim is built. The SSA relies heavily on your medical records to determine the severity of your disabling conditions and the impacts on your ability to hold down a job.

When submitting your initial application, it is essential to provide comprehensive and up-to-date medical records from your doctors and other medical professionals. Medical records could include documentation from primary care physicians, specialists, surgeons, hospitals, mental health providers, and more.

In addition to the comprehensive medical records, you should also attempt to submit reports describing your conditions and how they limit your ability to perform daily functions.

Seek medical opinions from doctors and physicians who understand your disability. Medical professionals can provide expert opinions about how your conditions impair your ability to engage in substantial gainful activity and potentially address recommended accommodations.

Our Fayetteville Social Security disability attorneys can assist you in organizing and presenting a convincing Social Security disability claim to the SSA. If your initial applications have been denied, we can take your denied claim to the appeals council and the reconsideration level to pursue a new decision.

What is the Application Process?

There are several steps in the application process. First, you must fill out your initial application and submit it to the SSA. Once your application has been submitted, the SSA field office will review it. After Social Security has processed your claim, they will send it to the nearest North Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS) office to determine whether your disability entitles you to benefits. If the DDS determines that you are medically disabled, you should expect to start receiving benefits payments within the next several months. If the DDS denies your claim, you have the right to file an appeal.

If your claim is denied, you have 60 days from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal asking the SSA to reconsider their decision. The appeals process can take several months. You should expect to attend an appeals hearing in a federal court. However, it may take some time for you to get your hearing date.

When Can You Expect to Receive Your Disability Check?

You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled.

SSDI benefits cannot begin until five months after the date of the disability and cannot extend more than one year before the date of the initial application. SSI benefits cannot be made prior to the month after the date of the application.

Although rare, certain individuals may automatically qualify for Social Security insurance benefits due to a presumptive disability. Only about 4% of all disability cases are approved for presumptive disabilities and automatic SSI payments.

What Are Common Challenges for Those Submitting Disability Claims?

Applying for benefits from a government program can be challenging.

Common obstacles that many applicants face include the following:

  • Failure to meet the SSA’s definition of a disability
  • Gaps in medical treatment
  • Incomplete documentation
  • Improperly filling out the initial application
  • Lack of evidence of functional limitations
  • Not meeting SSA’s work history requirements

Have You Received a Denial from the Social Security Administration?

If you have unfortunately received a denial letter, you can file an appeal and request that the SSA reconsider its decision. Once an appeal is filed, you may wait up to a year or more for a court date before an administrative law judge. Certain cases may expedite a claim, such as substantial hardship, the threat of eviction, or the imminent threat of homelessness.

It is highly recommended that you retain the legal counsel of an experienced disability lawyer in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for assistance. Our law firm can represent your claim through federal courts in pursuit of the most optimal outcome for your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Legal Professional Experienced in Social Security Disability Law in Fayetteville, NC

Whether you are applying for disability benefits or seeking to appeal a denied claim, we strongly encourage you to retain professional legal representation from experienced Social Security disability attorneys. Our legal team would be proud to assist you through all steps of the application and appeals process to get you the benefits you deserve.

Please contact our Fayetteville law office to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation today. You can reach us at 910-249-6891.