Social Security Disability — Another Source of Benefits
Any injury or accident situation that leaves you unable to work for a year or more represents a potential Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) claim. Administered by the federal government, the Social Security disability system is completely separate from Pennsylvania workers' compensation or the personal injury litigation system.
As a full-service accident compensation and injury claims law firm, Huber & Palsir makes it a point to evaluate your situation for SSDI eligibility if a motor vehicle accident or work-related medical condition threatens to disable you from work for at least 12 months. To learn more about your ability to collect Social Security disability benefits in addition to the compensation you can recover from other sources, contact one of our attorneys in Philadelphia for a free consultation.
Call Toll Free at (888) 627-0676 to Learn About the SSDI Eligibility Standards
In the early stages of a personal injury or workers' compensation case, it's not always possible to tell how long you'll be disabled from working. We monitor the treatment and recovery of our clients to see whether any complications or additional medical conditions might delay a return to work. Once it appears that your time away from work might extend beyond one year, we'll consider the possibility of a Social Security disability benefits claim to increase your overall financial compensation.
It's hard to qualify for SSDI benefits. Although you don't need to prove that anyone was at fault, and you don't need to prove that your medical condition was work-related, you need to present evidence that a medically identifiable health condition prevents you from working for at least 12 months.
You also need to demonstrate a work history that will normally be satisfied by proof of gainful employment at least half the time since you turned 21 and in the two years prior to your injury.
Most Social Security disability claims are rejected on the first application, and many are denied on the first request for reconsideration as well. Our first chance to present evidence of your inability to resume work will come up at the third step, the administrative appeal hearing. Our ability to support your claim for benefits through a clear and focused presentation before a judge can help you establish your right to benefits.
SSDI claims are sensitive not only to the facts of your medical condition but also to such considerations as age, educational level and the presence of multiple health problems. Claimants aged 50 or older generally find it easier to establish a right to Social Security benefits because of certain age-based advantages built into the SSDI eligibility criteria.
For a free consultation about your possible eligibility for Social Security disability benefits, contact an experienced lawyer at Huber & Palsir in Philadelphia.
