Mobile, Alabama Social Security Disability Lawyers

There are few things more physically and psychologically frustrating than suffering from a disability that leaves you unable to work and earn an income that is sufficient to support yourself and your family. To help those who are disabled meet their basic financial needs, the Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains two types of disability benefit programs. These programs provide cash benefits and free- or reduced-cost healthcare to eligible individuals. 

While you may be eligible for benefits, they are not always easy to qualify for as the SSA maintains strict eligibility requirements and a rigorous application process. For help with your claim from start to finish, call our Mobile, Alabama Social Security disability lawyers at the office of Baker & Baker today. 

Types of Disability Programs Maintained By the Social Security Administration

As mentioned above, there are two different types of disability benefits programs that are administered through the Social Security Administration: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Social Security Disability Insurance

Social Security Disability Insurance is exactly that — insurance. A person qualifies for SSDI benefits and “insurance payments” by virtue of paying into the system during their working years. As such, in order to qualify for SSDI benefits, a person must have earned enough work credits; how many credits a person needs depends on the age at which they become disabled. Similarly, how much a person will receive in SSDI benefits per month depends on how much they made and paid into Social Security while working. 

Supplemental Security Income

Another type of benefit offered by the SSA is Supplemental Security Income. While SSDI and SSI benefits are similar in that they are designed to offer cash payments on a monthly basis to those who are disabled and unable to work as such, these programs differ in that SSI benefits are also designed for those that have not paid into, or have paid very little into the SSA disability insurance fund, and those who are of limited income and resources. 

While there is no income or resource limit to qualify for SSDI benefits, a person must earn below a certain threshold (which is adjusted every year) in order to qualify for SSI benefits. Another thing that is different about SSI benefits is that a person does not have to have earned any work credits in order to qualify for SSI benefits; in fact, even children can qualify for SSI benefits. 

Services Offered By Our Mobile, Alabama Social Security Disability Lawyers

As you navigate the Social Security disability benefits programs and claims process, our disability lawyers are available to provide you with the support and guidance you need. You can count on our lawyers to manage the following elements of your claim: 

• Claim preparation. We will handle the process of preparing your claim, beginning with assessing your case and providing you with information about what type of disability benefits you qualify for (note: in some cases, disabled persons may qualify for both SSDI and SSI benefits simultaneously). From there, we’ll assemble a checklist of everything that you need to file your claim, including personal identification documents, financial documents, marriage certificates, information about your medical conditions, doctors’ testimonies, and more.  
• Claim filing. Once we have prepared your claim, we will thoroughly review it to make sure that your application has been completed accurately and in full — any missing documents or information could delay the process. After we are certain that it is ready, we can represent you in filing the application with the SSA. 
• Appeals. If your claim is approved the first go-around — congratulations! If it’s denied, though, you have the right to appeal. However, in order to file an appeal, you must do so within 60 days of receiving notice that your claim has been denied. The first step in the appeals process is what’s called reconsideration, which involves you asking the SSA to reconsider its decision. After that, the second step in the appeals process is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). We can help you to prepare for this hearing, prepare and submit new evidence, identify experts and witnesses who can testify at the hearing, and more. 

Why Work with Our Mobile Social Security Disability Lawyers?

Working with a skilled Social Security disability lawyer can have a big impact on your case. A good lawyer may improve the chances of your application being approved, and the chances of your claim being approved more expeditiously, too. If your original claim is denied, working with an attorney may improve the chances of a hearing going in your favor. But it’s not about just hiring an attorney; it’s about hiring the right attorney for your case. 

When you work with the law firm of Baker & Baker, you can count on:

• Resources. Our law firm has the resources to commit to your case, which means making your case a priority, working with our staff to ensure that evidence for your application is managed and preserved, and never cutting corners when it comes to providing you with the representation you deserve.
• Experience. Our lawyers have been helping our clients get the disability benefits they deserve for years. We know what the SSA is looking for and how to prepare applications that get approved. 
• Success. Not only do we have the resources to ensure your case gets the attention it deserves, as well as the experience to understand best practices. We also have a proven track record of success over an extended period of time. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation with Our Law Firm Today

Even if you deserve Social Security disability benefits, you may not have your claim for benefits approved the first go-around, especially if you choose to handle the process on your own. When you work with a lawyer, on the other hand, you improve your chances of getting the benefits you’re entitled to. What’s more, because our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, you’ll never have to pay us an hourly rate or pay for our services out-of-pocket.

To get the help you need, please schedule your free consultation by calling our law firm directly, visiting us in-person, or sending us a confidential message using the intake form on our website.