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What is SSDI?
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What is SSI?
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What are the requirements to be
considered disabled?
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Do I really need representation?
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How much will my benefits be?
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How can I tell if I am disabled enough to
apply for benefits?
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What can your firm do for me?
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Can you guarantee that my claim for
benefits will be approved by the SSA?
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Why should I choose you instead of an
attorney?
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How much will I have to pay for your
services?
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What is SSDI? |
| SSDI stands for
Social Security Disability Insurance or Title II. This program is for
people who have worked and paid social security taxes. Your work record
is used to determine whether you qualify. This program is not based on
financial need. |
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What is SSI? |
| SSI stands for
Supplemental Security Income or Title XVI. This program is for people
who have little or no money or assets. Assets for individuals are
limited to $2,000 and couples are limited to $3,000. These asset limits
exclude your home and one personal vehicle. This program is based on
financial need. |
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What are the requirements to be considered disabled? |
| Sec.
223 (d)(1)(a) of the Social Security Act defines disability as: |
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“The inability to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of medically determinable physical or
mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or
which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of
not less than 12 months.” |
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Do I really need representation? |
| The
answer to this question depends on how much you want or need to receive
disability benefits. If you want the best possible chance of winning
benefits, you need help from a representative. Each year over a million
people apply for disability benefits only to be denied. 70% of cases
appealed by disability representatives nationwide are reversed in favor
of the claimant. Records show that people who have a representative are
more likely to get their claim approved. |
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How much will my benefits be? |
| The
amount of your benefits depends on how much you made during the years
that you worked. Generally, your benefits will be close to the amount
you would receive if you retire at age 65. |
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How can I tell if I am disabled enough to apply for
benefits? |
| If you
are not able to perform basic work activities such as sitting, standing,
lifting, stooping, on a sustained basis for eight (8) hours a day, 40
hours a week, 50 weeks a year, and cannot perform the easiest job you
have done in the last fifteen years, then you should seriously consider
applying for benefits. Call us and ask for our free case assessment, we
will then be able to determine your likelihood of receiving benefits. |
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What can your firm do for me? |
| Because
the process of obtaining benefits is so complex, most people just don't
know how to overcome the hurdles of the system. We are specially trained
in disability representation. That means that we know all the in's and
out's of the system. We know what proof is required by law, we know how
to obtain it, and we know how to present it. We also know how to
cross-examine witnesses that an administrative law judge may call at
your hearing. Because of our expertise, we can greatly increase your
chances of being awarded benefits while reducing the time it takes to
get the decision. |
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Can you guarantee that my claim for benefits will be
approved by the SSA? |
| No one
can guarantee that your claim will be approved. Only the SSA can make
that decision. What we can promise you is that we will present your case
in such a manner as to greatly increase your chances of winning.
Furthermore, if your case can be won, we will determine the fastest and
most effective way possible of doing so. |
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Why should I choose you instead of an attorney? |
There
are several differences. We handle only social security disability
claims. Most attorneys are not specially trained to handle these types
of cases, and some require large retainers to be paid upfront. With our
firm, you will deal with the same individual (your appointed
representative) throughout the process. Many large law firms will send
"whoever is available that day" to your hearing, and you may deal with
several different attorneys throughout the claim process.
You can call us any time you have questions or want to know the status
of your claim, and you will get answers. Some attorneys will tell you
that they can't give you an assessment of your claim until 24 hours
before your hearing. That is because they only review your file at that
time.
We look for opportunities to speed up the process and get your claim
approved faster. Some attorneys show no initiative in this area, after
all, the longer it takes to get a decision, the more back-due benefits
accrue, and the larger the fee the attorney can collect. We believe
clients deserve better than that, we are sure you agree. |
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How much will I have to pay for your services? |
The fee
a representative may charge, as well as the requirements of
representatives, and the code of conduct we have to follow are all
detailed in the law. The fee must first be approved by the SSA and is
limited to 25% of your back-due benefits or $5,300, whichever is less.
After your receive your back benefits, then you pay us. If you do not
get benefits, you do not pay us a fee.
For more information on representation see Social Security
Administration publication 05-10075 "Your Right To Representation”. |
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Social Security Disability Tips
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