SSD (Social Security Disability)

How Social Security Can Help You Make Ends Meet

When an injury or illness interrupts your ability to make a living as you always have, Social Security Disability claims reviewers will expect answers to two key questions:

• Are you able to do any of the jobs you have done in the last 15 years? (Perhaps after healing or rehabilitation)
• If not, any type of gainful employment within the regional economy that you can do?

An answer of “yes” to the second question means that you are able to do a job that exists in significant numbers throughout the regional economy (if you live in Charlotte but there’s a job you can do in Richmond, Virginia, then you’re not disabled).

Do I Qualify For Social Security Disability Assistance?

A work-restricting impairment that prevents you from doing the job you used to do for 12 months or more may qualify you to receive Social Security Disability benefits. If you anticipate that you will qualify for SSD after one year, you should apply as soon as possible. You may have been in a serious accident, or received a diagnosis of cancer or any serious illness that makes you believe you will be unable to work for a year or more. Regardless of your disability, you can expect your claim to be denied once or twice. Therefore, an early application is advised.

Attorney Chad Winebarger represents SSDI claimants at administrative hearings — and, if necessary, we are prepared to go to court to ensure that our clients receive benefits that are rightfully theirs. As a worker, you have been having FICA taxes withheld from your pay for years. Part of those taxes fund Social Security Disability. If you qualify for it, and have paid into the system, you are not asking for welfare. You are in essence making an insurance claim just as you would for your car after an auto accident or for your house after a fire.

We’ll Help You Develop Long-Term Solutions

Depending on the nature of your disability and your past employment, if any, there may be other available avenues of support for you, possibly including one or more of the following:

• Workers’ compensation (if your disability is the result of a workplace injury, or occupational disease such as a repetitive stress injury)
• Private disability insurance
• A personal injury claim or lawsuit (if, for example, your disability is the result of a motor vehicle accident or use of a defective product).

Call Today To Schedule A Free Strategy Session

Draw on our knowledge and experience as you seek financial assistance when a disability has made it impossible for you to continue working as you once did. Contact us online or by phone at 704-377-7677 or toll free at 866-326-3090. Our new, more accessible, offices offer free parking!