Any type of disabling injury or illness can create a financial hardship for you and your family. The social security disability lawyers at Cuddigan Law meet with clients every day who have endured the stress caused by being out of work and without a source of income. Our attorneys know the last thing their clients need is to battle with the Social Security Administration (SSA) for the disability benefits they rightfully deserve. But many people attempt to go through the Social Security Disability (SSD) claims process by themselves.
Why You Shouldn't Try to Handle a Disability Claim With the SSA on Your Own
What few know is that 70% of all initial disability claims are denied by the SSA, and claimants are left frustrated and uncertain about how to proceed. Our attorneys understand that frustration, and they also know one crucial statistic: Claimants are three times as likely to obtain disability benefits when they work with an attorney. Thus, it’s in a claimant’s best interests to contact Cuddigan Law.
Our experienced social security disability lawyer provides intelligent legal representation and are knowledgeable in Social Security disability law.
Reasons a Social Security Disability Claim May Be Denied
We know how to assist clients with their initial applications, and we also know how to appeal a denied claim. We understand there are many reasons a disability claim may be denied by the SSA, including:
- Application Mistakes. Even small errors on your application such as a misspelling or incorrect date can invalidate your claim, and the SSA may send it back to you denied.
- The wrong medical proof.Your medical records need to include clear and specific evidence showing how your illness or injury makes it impossible for you to work and how it impacts your daily routine. Simply documenting your condition isn’t enough.
- Failure to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. If you miss scheduled doctor appointments, skip therapy, or fail to take prescribed medications, the claims examiner may deny your claim.
How to Determine Eligibility for Social Security Disability Benefits
There are two types of disability benefits programs through the SSA: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you’ve worked for at least 5 of the past ten years and have paid into the Social Security system, you’re eligible for SSDI. SSI is available to low-income individuals who have not paid into the system. Typically, if you’ve been seriously injured in an accident and are unable to work or you suffer from a disabling medical condition and you’ve paid into the Social Security system, you’ll apply for SSDI.
To be eligible for SSDI, you must meet a number of requirements, including:
- You must be under 65
- You're unable to work for 12 months at a substantial gainful level due to a mental or physical condition
- You have a mental or physical condition that’s not expected to improve in 12 months
- You have a mental or physical condition that will result in death
Additionally, you must have a qualifying physical condition or mental disorder outlined in the SSA’s "Blue Book"—its listing of impairments. Even if your condition isn’t listed in the Blue Book, you may still qualify for disability benefits if you prove the severity of your illness matches those in the Blue Book. Some conditions can be difficult to prove, so it’s important to gather the necessary medical reports, lab results, documentation, and doctor opinions to show the seriousness of your condition.
If you are concerned about what an attorney might cost, don't be.
We work on a contingency basis. We only get paid if we win your case and fees are limited by law.
In both SSDI and SSI cases, by law payments to attorneys can be no more than 25% of back payments due and there is a cap on the fees which limits the amount of the fee. As of November 30, 2024, the fee cap amount is $9,200. (Like other disability payments, the cap fee amount is revised annually with a Cost-of-Living Adjustment. You can call or email our office for the current cap fee amount.)
You pay the lesser of 25% of back payments or the fee cap amount. We do not receive any percentage of future disability benefits.
It does not cost you any more to have a lawyer represent you than a non-lawyer representative. It does not cost you any more to have an experienced lawyer
represent you than an inexperienced one.
Additionally, when you call Cuddigan Law, you’ll speak to an intake specialist for free. During this discussion, the intake specialist will gather information about your medical history, gather basic demographic information, and spend approximately 30 minutes with you going over your situation. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions, too. Then, if it appears you have a good case, the intake specialist will schedule you for a new client appointment. If the intake specialist isn’t certain whether our legal team can help you, they will review their notes with our attorneys before they schedule an appointment with you. You pay nothing for this service.
Contact Us Today for a Free Social Security Disability Claim Evaluation
If you need help with your Social Security disability claim, have questions about your medical records or how to provide the right medical evidence for your application, need assistance handling a claim denial, or have any other issues pertaining to your disability claim, contact the attorneys at Cuddigan Law. We can examine your application to determine if there are any errors or omissions, and we can also assist in gathering the necessary medical evidence to give you a better chance of a successful claim. We’ve handled Social Security disability claims for over 20 years, so don’t waste time trying to work through the process by yourself. Let our experienced SSD lawyers go to work for you. Call our office at (402) 933-5405 to speak with an intake specialist or complete the quick and easy contact form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
