Imagine having a disability that makes working almost impossible. How can you earn a living when you are in so much pain? If you have a disability that affects your ability to earn a living, you could qualify for Social Security disability (SSDI). SSDI offers financial help to people who meet the program’s criteria, including having a qualified disability and income and assets under a certain amount.
However, it is more complex than ever to prove SSDI, so you should understand the qualifications and process detailed below. Getting SSDI may be easier with the help of the Illinois SSDI attorney at Harold W. Conick & Associates. Attorney Conick understands the process and the challenges of living with a disability and wants to assist you.
To get Social Security disability, you must have a certain number of work credits, which are determined by age. You gain four work credits per year, assuming that Social Security covers the job. Because you have worked, you paid into the Social Security system, making you eligible for disability if you qualify.
SSDI benefits are paid monthly, based on your average lifetime wages before you were disabled. As of 2019, the average monthly benefit was $1,234, but most parties claim between $800 and $1,800. Each year, the Social Security Administration gives you a statement that details your covered earnings, which can help you understand the benefits you could receive.
To receive disability, you need to file a claim, which you can do online or over the phone. But your best chance of being approved for benefits is with the help of your SSDI attorney. If your claim is successful, your disability benefits will begin after a five-month mandatory waiting period. Your disability onset date is typically the date that you were unable to work anymore.
It helps to have an Illinois SSDI attorney handling your case because there is more to the process than simply having your doctor say you have a disability. The Social Security Administration has a list of criteria you must meet to receive benefits. The process is complicated, and there is a good chance your initial application will be denied.
Remember that if you retain an SSDI attorney, you will not need to pay upfront legal fees. Your disability attorney works on a contingency basis, which means they receive compensation at the end of the case. Their fee is typically 25% of the lump sum payment you receive, with a cap of $7,200. Your odds of being approved for disability are considerably higher with an attorney, and you will have the money you need to deal with your disability faster.
Qualifying for SSDI is a complex process, and you must show that you have a qualifying disability and assets and income below a certain level. Also, eligibility criteria have been tightened in recent years. So, it is best to have an experienced Illinois SSDI attorney at Harold W. Conick & Associates handle your case. Please call our Chicago office for a consultation at (800) 608-8881. Our law office serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area, including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
