Filing Your SSDI Or SSI Application
Why Hire An Attorney For Help With Your Social Security Disability Application?
Approximately 70% of all initial claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are denied. The reason? Most people do not understand the SSD qualification process and do not adequately demonstrate their disabling conditions and limitations.
The longer it takes you to get your application approved, the longer you wait for needed disability benefits.
At Reitan Law Office, PLLC, our lawyers help clients file SSDI and SSI applications that demonstrate their disability. Engaging our services upfront will help you get the benefits you deserve in the most time-efficient manner possible.
From our offices in Mankato, Chaska and Minneapolis, we serve individuals throughout Minnesota. We also serve North Dakota residents from our office in Fargo.
Qualifying For SSDI Or SSI: The Five-Step Process
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a five-step process when evaluating Social Security Disability (SSD) claims. You must present sufficient evidence to get your claim past each stage. Here is a summary of the process:
- Are you working? If you are working and your average monthly earnings are over a certain threshold level, then Social Security will not consider you disabled. The threshold level changes from year to year.
- Do you have a severe impairment? Your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities for your claim to be considered. If it does not, the Social Security Administration will find that you are not disabled.
- Does your disabling condition meet a listing? For each of the major body systems, the Social Security Administration maintains a list of medical conditions that are so severe that they automatically mean that you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, Social Security will have to decide if your condition is of equal severity to a medical condition that is on the list. If it is, then they will find that you are disabled.
- Can you do the work you previously did? If your condition is severe but not at the same or equal level of severity as a medical condition on the list, then Social Security must determine if it interferes with your ability to do the work you did previously. If it does not, your claim will be denied.
- Can you do other types of work? If you cannot do the work you did in the past, Social Security will see if you are able to adjust to other work. The Social Security Administration will consider your medical conditions, your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills you may have. If you cannot adjust to other work, your claim should be approved.
At Reitan Law Office, PLLC, we put together applications that showcase your needs during every stage of review. Our goal is to get you the benefits you need when you need them.
Contact Our Minnesota And North Dakota Offices Today
To schedule your initial consultation, contact the attorneys at any of our four conveniently located offices. Call us at 952-448-2800 (Chaska), 507-388-1800 (Mankato), 612-424-6011 (Minneapolis) or 701-581-7854 (Fargo, North Dakota).