Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a benefits program funded by the federal government. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the program for all cities and states, including Charlotte SSDI. Social Security distributes disability benefits to people who have recently worked for a certain length of time and have a medical condition that they expect will keep them from working for a year or more or will end in death.
Charlotte SSDI Eligibility
People who are completely disabled and have worked in a job that contributed to Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) premiums, you are probably eligible for SSDI benefits. For the most part, anyone working for a U.S. Employer made FICA premiums contributions through their paycheck. Workers must have worked and contributed to FICA for at least 5 of the past 10 years in order to qualify as insured under SSDI. However, requirements are less strict for younger and older workers.
People with disabilities qualify for benefits from this program if they are unable to work due to medical conditions that meet certain requirements. The condition must be one that you expect will last 12 months or longer or result in death. The disability cannot be partial or short-term. It also has to meet the SSA’s disability definition. That is, the condition must be severe enough that it stops you from participating in substantial and gainful activity. You also have to be younger than retirement age to qualify for SSDI. You can use the SSA’s Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool to check if your eligibility. Also, a Charlotte SSDI Lawyer can help you understand if you qualify for any of these benefits.
SSDI Qualifying Disabilities for Adults
The SSA has a list of impairments that count as a disability. This list lays out certain medical criteria that apply to impairments in adults 18 or older. Listed conditions include diseases, disorders, and impairments in the following anatomical areas.
- Musculoskeletal System
- Special Sense and Speech
- Respiratory System
- Cardiovascular System
- Digestive System
- Genitourinary Systems
- Blood
- Skin
- Endocrine System
- Congenital Disorders in Multiple Body System
- Neurological Systems
- Mental Health
- Cancer
- Immune System
Even if your disability is not listed, you could still be eligible for benefits. A Charlotte SSDI attorney can help guide you thought the process.
Application Requirements for SSDI
First, make sure you meet the requirements to apply on line for disability and then gather the information you will need during the SSDI application process. You will need personal information regarding your:
- Birth and citizenship
- Marriage and divorce
- Names and birthdate
- U.S. military service
- Employment details for the past two years
- Banking (for Direct Deposit of benefits)
- Health care providers name and address
- Medical conditions
- Job history
- Education and training
The SSA might ask you to produce certain documents to prove you are eligible. They may ask for:
- Proof of birth such as a birth certificate
- Proof of citizenship or lawful status
- U.S. military discharge papers
- Tax forms from the last year
- Medical evidence records
- Pay stubs
- Proof of other benefits such as workers’ compensation
A Charlotte SSDI lawyer can help make sure you have all the right information and documents so your benefit application goes through the first time.
Applying for SSDI in Charlotte, North Carolina
Applying for disability insurance is a multi-step process that can take a while to complete depending on the severity of your condition. A Charlotte SSDI attorney can help you navigate this process.
You can apply for SSDI online, over the phone, or in person at the Charlotte SSDI office. You can find the Charlotte SSDI office on the first floor of a building off Sardis Road between East Independence Boulevard and Monroe Road. The exact address is at 2201 Coronation Boulevard, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC, 28227.
Once the application is complete and submitted, the SSA might follow-up with you and your attorney to update you about your claim or to ask questions regarding the information you submitted. You can create a “My Social Security” account on the SSA’s website to check on the status of your completed application.
Should I Call A Lawyer?
Before you hire a Charlotte SSDI lawyer to help with your benefits case, first consider the costs and advantages of having an trained attorney fighting for you. Understanding the cost is quite straightforward. Federal regulations cap disability lawyer fees at 25 percent of your disability backpay or $6,000, whichever is less. Typically, you pay nothing upfront, and you’re only charged if you win your case.
There are many advantages to having a disability attorney on your side. First and foremost, having a skilled lawyer will drastically improve the chances of your case getting approved. Charlotte SSDI lawyers know how to present the case in the best light in favor of their clients. This is true in any stage of the process—from initial application to hearings and beyond. Your attorney can argue that your condition does in fact meet the requirements on the SSA’s listed impairments. Your lawyer can collect and submit important medical evidence to prepare to answer judge’s questions the hearing. Your lawyer can find helpful testimony to demonstrate that you are, in fact, unable to perform your job. An attorney can create advanced legal arguments to fight wrongful denial of your SSDI benefits.
When it comes to calling a Charlotte SSDI attorney, the earlier the better. The longer a particular lawyer is working with you, the better he or she gets to know the particular details of your case. Consult with a lawyer f you are even considering filing for SSDI. The lawyer can assess the strengths of your case and help you with the initial application. Your application is more likely to get approved if a lawyer helped you with this multi-step process. A Charlotte SSDI lawyer knows the system and may be able to help expedite your application, particularly if your medical or financial situation are particularly dire.
Charlotte SSDI Attorney
The help of a skilled Charlotte disability attorney can drastically improve your chances of receiving your disability benefits. SSDI lawyers can help facilitate your claim. They will guide you through the processes of applying for Charlotte SSDI. They can aid you in collecting medical evidence and filing for appeals. If you have questions about your Charlotte SSDI benefits or if you want to get started with your application talk to an attorney from Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. in Charlotte. Call 800-375-9190.
