If you were denied Social Security Disability benefits, you may be able to overturn the decision by filing an appeal. It can be very beneficial to have a licensed attorney managing your appeal, as he or she can help to bolster your application and be your guide through the process.
The licensed attorneys at Phillips Law Group have been helping families throughout Arizona recover compensation for over 27 years. Our founder, Jeffrey Phillips, is a premiere member of the American Academy of Trial Attorneys and a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association ”“ Top 100. He and his firms have successfully recovered over $1 billion.
In a free consultation, you can discuss your unique situation with an experienced Tucson Social Security Disability lawyer and find out if we may able to help. We work on a contingency fee basis so you will not be charged any upfront fees. We only get paid if you do.
Free, no-obligation consultation. Ph: 602-222-2222 .
When you apply for Social Security Disability you must prove your situation satisfies certain requirements:
The Tucson Social Security Disability attorneys at the Phillips Law Group have extensive knowledge of eligibility requirements.
Unsure if you may be eligible? Schedule a free, confidential legal consultation. Phillips Law Group: 602-222-2222
Since your application could be denied for missing information or minor mistakes, it is important that you have everything you need before you start your application. Some of this documentation could include:
You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits in three different ways. You can fill out the application online, call 1-800-772-1213 or you can visit your local Social Security office.
The experienced legal team at the Phillips Law Group is ready to help you obtain these documents if you are having difficulty doing so. If you hire us, we are ready to take on the process on your behalf so you can focus on dealing with your medical issues.
Our attorneys are here to help.
There are four main programs you may be able to apply for, based on your income, assets, age and work history.
If you have been working for several years and have been diagnosed with a disability and can no longer work, you may qualify. Generally, applicants need a minimum of 40 work credits to qualify. The amount of credits needed may vary depending on your age and past income. You must also have worked in five of the past 10 years. These requirements are in addition to proving you have a qualifying disability.
This program was designed to financially assist children and adults that have very little work history and a limited amount of income and assets. For 2019 applications, you cannot have more than $2,000 in assets as a single individual and $3,000 in assets as a couple. However, there are many different rules about what is considered an asset and is not counted against the asset limit. This is one of the many things a Tucson Social Security Disability attorney may be able to sort out.
This program is available for people who become disabled between the ages of 18 and 22 and earn less than the SGA limit. The adult child must have a disability that severely limits his or her ability to participate in everyday activities. The parents of the adult child must be alive and if deceased, the parents had to have contributed to Social Security for a certain amount of time.
Widows and widowers over the age of 60 may be able to obtain these benefits. If you have a qualifying disability, you may be able to receive these benefits at the age of 50, however, the amount you receive may change once you turn 62 years of age. You must also have worked long enough and contributed to Social Security to qualify for these benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) can provide you with your work history so you can determine if you have reached the minimum requirements.
If you are unsure about your eligibility for any of these programs or if you need help with an existing application, feel free to contact a Tucson Social Security Disability lawyer at the Phillips Law Group today.
Phillips Law Group: 602-222-2222 .
While there may be numerous reasons why your claim may be denied, here are some of the most common:
Your claim may be denied due to not having enough medical documentation indicating you are unable to work and earn more than the SGA limit.
If your disability is expected to last less than one year or not expected to lead to your death, then you may not qualify for Social Security Disability. You may want to look into pursuing short-term disability or workers’ compensation benefits.
The SSA must decide whether you can continue to work. One of the things claims examiners look at is if you have been receiving treatment and attending regular follow up appointments with your doctor. If you have not been actively seeking treatment and trying to improve your condition, the SSA may be more likely to deny benefits.
The SSA can deny your claim for not cooperating with their requests. Sometimes the SSA will request for you to appear at a medical examination or provide updated documentation. If these requests are not met in a timely manner, your benefits may be denied or revoked. Your lawyer can help by staying in contact with the SSA to make sure they have everything they need.
You will not qualify if you lack the required number of work credits. The number of work credits needed depends on your age. You can earn up to four work credits per year and each credit is equal to a designated amount of earnings. You also need to have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years.
If your disability was the result of drug or alcohol abuse, you may be denied. However, you may still be eligible if you already had a disability in addition to a drug or alcohol addiction. If you can prove that you have stopped using drugs and alcohol, you may have a better chance of recovering benefits.
If your income exceeds the SGA limit ($1,200 per month for non-blind and $2,040 for the visually impaired in 2019), you will most likely be denied. If your assets exceed $2,000 as a single individual and $3,000 for a couple, you may not qualify for SSI benefits.
Phillips Law Group has been helping people fight for their rights for nearly three decades in the state of Arizona. Find out how we may be able to help you.
Call us anytime to set up your initial consultation. Ph: 602-222-2222 .
If your claim was denied, you generally have only 60 days to file an appeal. However, this is just the first stage of the process, if your first appeal is denied:
While the appeals process can be lengthy, our Tucson Social Security Disability lawyers are prepared to guide you through every step.
After your application is approved, it can generally take 30 to 60 days until you receive your first payment. If you are owed backpay, it will most likely take a bit longer to receive the funds that are owed to you for the period between when you first applied until the date your claim was approved.
If you have been waiting for more than 90 days, you may want to ask your lawyer to contact the SSA. We understand the importance of receiving benefits in a timely manner.
Having trouble obtaining Social Security Disability benefits for your medical condition?
We may be able to help you file an appeal. The consultation with our attorneys is free of charge and you have no obligation after meeting with a licensed attorney from our firm. If you want to move forward, there are no upfront fees.
Our Tucson office is located at One South Church Avenue on the Twelfth Floor, which is only blocks away from the Tucson Convention Center.
There is no risk in contacting us. Set up a consultation with a trusted Tucson Social Security Disability Lawyer at 602-222-2222 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.