Social Security Disability New York
Social Security Disability New York
Most people never expect to have to quit work because of a disability, but disabling injuries or diseases are unfortunately common. Some disabilities are the result of a sudden workplace accident, others are the result of an accident at home or as a result of an automobile accident. Some disabilities and illnesses develop gradually over a long period of time, such as repetitive stress injuries or illnesses from long-term exposure to dangerous chemicals. Whatever the case may be, when a disability, medical condition or illness renders a person unable to work, the disabled worker needs to consider applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Developing a disability can be financially devastating. But Social Security disability benefits can provide recipients with a vital source of income. The Social Security Administration provides U.S. workers who have become disabled or who have developed an illness such that they can no longer work with benefits to support themselves financially. The Social Security disability program is a federal program that is meant to support those disabled workers who have paid into the Social Security tax system. So long as disabled workers have paid into the Social Security system, and have a qualifying medical condition or illness, they can seek Social Security disability benefits.
Eligibility
Social Security disability benefits are available to those who are unable to do work because of a qualifying medical condition, whether physical or mental. A worker may receive benefits if he or she is either:
- Expected to be out of work for at least 12 months; or
- Suffering from a terminal disease.
Social Security disability benefits are not for those suffer only from a partial or short-term disability. Rather, recipients’ conditions must be severe, and their impairments must prevent them from doing the work they did before or any other sort of work.
There are a number of different types of qualifying disabilities, medical conditions and illnesses what can qualify a disabled worker for Social Security benefits. A few examples include:
- Musculoskeletal problems, such as scoliosis, neck or back pain, shoulder problems, arthritis and other orthopedic issues;
- Impaired senses, such as blindness or deafness;
- Cardiovascular issues, such as heart failure and tachycardia;
- Skin disorders, such as dermatitis and burns;
- Blood disorders, such as blood diseases, thrombosis, and complications associated with blood disorders;
- Digestive problems, such as liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and short bowel syndrome;
- Respiratory problems, including asthma, cystic fibrosis and sleep-related breathing disorders; and
- Diabetes and other endocrine disorders.
Application For Benefits
Disabled workers must apply for Social Security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. The application process can be confusing and complicated. Disabled workers must provide satisfactory medical evidence of their disability, along with their completed application for benefits. Often times, Social Security disability applications are denied because the medical evidence is not properly submitted or is not adequate. Sometimes the Social Security Administration denies a claim for benefits because it believes that the disabled worker’s condition is not a qualifying medical condition, disability or illness.
If you find the application process to be challenging, or are facing a claim denial from the Social Security Administration, you should speak with an experienced New York Social Security disability lawyer. A skilled lawyer can help you complete your application and can make sure that you have adequate and sufficient medical evidence of your disability or illness, so that it is less likely that your Social Security disability claim will be denied.
There is an appeals process for when Social Security disability benefit claims are denied. The appeals process is multi-tiered, complex and can take a long time to navigate, but if your appeal is successful, you will receive the Social Security disability benefits that you need, and in most cases you will also receive back payment for the benefits that you would have received if your claim had not been denied.
Payments
The monthly amount you can collect in Social Security benefits depends on how much you paid into the Social Security tax system while you were working, and whether you have dependents. If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, then after two years, you also become eligible for Medicare coverage.
If you have a qualifying disability, we can guide you through every step of the application process to ensure that you get the amount of benefits you are entitled to. We are attorneys, not just advocates, so if your application is denied, we can argue your case to an Administrative Law Judge and appeal to federal court, if necessary. Please contact us today to discuss your case.