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New York City Social Security Disability Lawyer

A disability can rob you of the ability to take care of yourself and participate in activities you once enjoyed. Depending on the severity of your disability, you may no longer be able to work. For many people, losing the ability to earn an income hurts both financially and emotionally, but people who cannot work because they become disabled may qualify for disability support from Social Security.

While you can apply for disability benefits with Social Security on your own, you might want to work with a Social Security disability attorney in New York City who has years of experience in handling cases like yours. The New York injury lawyers at Shulman & Hill can guide you through the application process and gather relevant documents for you. If Social Security denies your application, we can appeal the decision and sue if necessary.

Your Social Security disability benefits are too important to lose. Contact us today to learn how we can help you get the benefits you deserve.

What Is Social Security Disability?

Social Security disability is financial assistance for people who are unable to work because of a medical condition. There are stringent rules about who qualifies for disability benefits. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), only people whose disability prevents them from working for a year or more qualify for disability benefits. Once you qualify, your benefits continue until you recover enough to return to work, reach retirement age, or pass away.

The purpose of Social Security disability is to prevent people with disabilities from going broke because of their medical condition. It’s hard enough to make ends meet when you cannot work. It’s harder still when you face steep medical bills, require multiple treatments from multiple doctors, or need expensive medical equipment just to get by. Social Security disability helps people meet their financial obligations while affording the care they need.

Thousands of New York City Residents Have Disabilities

According to the United States Census Bureau, nearly 7% of New York City residents under age 65 have a disability. In a city with a population of more than 8 million, that means thousands of New Yorkers live with disabilities that interfere with their daily lives.

Which Disabilities Qualify for Social Security Assistance?

The SSA provides extensive information about the specific disabilities that qualify for financial assistance. The administration has a list of qualifying disabilities, but also considers cases individually to determine if the person meets the requirements.

To qualify for assistance, your disability must:

  • Be severe enough to limit work-related activities such as sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and remembering
  • Limit your abilities for at least 12 months
  • Prevent you from working at your previous occupation
  • Prevent you from working in a different occupation

Special rules may apply if you are blind or visually impaired. Talk to our Social Security disability lawyers in New York City to learn more about qualifying for disability assistance.

Common Social Security Cases in New York City

The SSA provides information about medical conditions that can result in disability in its Listing of Impairments. The broad categories of impairments are:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Special senses and speech
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Cardiovascular system
  • Genitourinary disorders
  • Hematological disorders
  • Skin disorders
  • Endocrine disorders
  • Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems
  • Neurological disorders
  • Mental disorders
  • Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases)
  • Immune system disorders

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides additional details about the most common types of disability in the state of New York. The most common type is problems with mobility. Other common disabilities include cognitive difficulties, living independently, hearing, vision, and self-care. The CDC also reports that New York residents with disabilities are more likely to smoke and have depression, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

According to New York City disability statistics provided by the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, almost 1 million people (or roughly 11% of the city’s total population) live with a disability. Most people with disabilities are 18 or older, meaning they are at an age where they could work and support themselves if not for their disability. Just over 77% of adults with disabilities in New York City are not in the labor force.

Do I Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer in New York City?

You do not have to hire a New York City social security disability lawyer, but you may want to consider doing so. Applying for Social Security disability benefits by yourself can be a daunting task. When you have a physical or mental disability, you may find it difficult to gather the required documents, fill out the application, and follow up on its status on your own.

Our team can fill out the application for you and guide you throughout this process, taking over the cumbersome bureaucratic tasks so you can focus on your health.

To do so, we will:

  • Gather your birth, marriage, and divorce records
  • Collect the names and birthdates of your children
  • Document your military service (if any)
  • Collect your employment or self-employment history for the past two years
  • Provide the date when your medical condition began to affect your ability to work 
  • Gather the names, addresses, phone numbers, patient ID numbers, and dates of treatment for examinations and treatments related to your disability
  • Collect the names, dates, and provider referrals of any medical tests you received
  • Compile a list of medications, provider names, and your reasons for taking them
  • Document any vocational rehabilitation services, workers’ compensation, or public welfare you have received
  • List the types of jobs you have held in the past 15 years before you lost the ability to work
  • Provide the types of duties you had in the longest job you held
  • List your educational history, including your highest grade completed, any special education you received, and any job training, vocational school, or trade school you completed
  • Document any prison or jail time you have served

What if My Social Security Disability Application Is Denied?

You do not have to give up just because the SSA denied your application for disability assistance. The SSA approves just under 32% of applications, meaning that it denies nearly 70% of them. If you fall into that 70%, you have the right to appeal the decision and continue seeking the benefits you deserve.

We can handle three levels to the appeals process for you:

  1. Reconsideration: A party that did not review your application the first time reviews your claim and any additional evidence you submit.
  2. Hearing by an administrative law judge: If your reconsideration fails, you may request a hearing by an administrative law judge (ALJ). This judge will not be one who was part of the reconsideration.
  3. Review by the Appeals Council: If you disagree with the ruling of the ALJ, you can request a review by the Appeals Council. The council may deny or dismiss your request, return your case to an ALJ, or issue a new decision.

Our Social Security disability lawyers in New York City can represent your legal interests throughout the appeals process. This includes submitting evidence in support of your case and attending hearings.

Shulman & Hill Can Represent You in a Social Security Disability Case

When looking for a Social Security disability lawyer near me in New York City, look no further than Shulman & Hill. We can help you seek the financial support you deserve when a medical condition prevents you from working in your previous occupation. You paid into Social Security every year that you worked, and you have a right to seek support now. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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TO GET YOU COMPENSATED

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We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

We have helped thousands of New Yorkers recover more than $300 million in compensation

NO FEE UNLESS YOU WIN

Everyday working people often struggle to afford top-tier legal representation. To ensure equal access to justice, we work on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no attorneys’ fees unless we achieve a settlement or verdict in your case.

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"The treatment received by Shulman & Hill was extremely excellent. They treated me like I was part of their family and that gave me a lot of confidence in them. I would recommend them one hundred percent because they are very trained in your area. I congratulate you and ask God to fill you with blessings. Gracias for your support."

Ramon E.

"I would like to thank The Shulman & Hill Law Firm in Brooklyn for their outstanding representation on my worker’s compensation case. The monetary reward exceeded our expectations and Alex worked closely with me to meet and exceed my goals."

John S.

"To anyone in need of a worker’s compensation lawyer, I highly recommend Alex Shulman and his team. They went above and beyond to best accommodate me during my time of injury. All my questions and concerns were answered in a timely manner and with the utmost professionalism. In addition and most importantly they fought to make sure I was correctly compensated for my injuries at time of settlement and didn’t rush to get paid. I will be recommending their firm to anyone and everyone in need of their services."

Chaim L.

"I am both satisfied and relieved with the results this extremely professional and reliable firm did. They lead me through the entire process, they never gave me any issues. They handled everything on their own, and always put a great deal of effort to ensure my comfort and best interest. They were always reachable and answered all my questions, and gave me information even when I didn’t know what the right question to ask was.  They turned a grave dilemma into something very manageable and repairable. They are efficient and do not linger with any paperwork, I was truly amazed at the results and the short time it took. I highly recommend them to anyone, and will seek their counsel in the future."

Akila B.

"I really appreciate the service I received with Shulman & Hill.  They walked me through the process and kept me informed every step of the way.  They would call and leave a message and when I called back, I was connected with a person who knew exactly what my call was about.  I was very satisfied with my settlements. Thank You!"

Aaron R.

"Alex Shulman did a wonderful job walking me through all the process of my case…making sure I understood all the legality and severity of all my hearing. I highly recommend their firm to handle any and all worker’s compensation cases. They strive for your wellbeing health-wise as well as aiming for the financial max."

Altagrace G.

"Schulman & Hill was my very first choice I chose for my WC case . I am very pleased with the outcome of my case. I would highly recommend them to friends. They are very professional and kept me informed during every step of this process. Should I ever need a WC attorney again, God forbid, Shulman & Hill it is, hands down . Thank you ."

Cheryl M.

"I had a great experience with Shulman & Hill. They have a great team and were very understanding and helpful from day one. I felt like I was in good hands and the outcome on my case overreached my expectations! I highly recommend this firm. You can be rest assured that they will fight for you rights."

Anna G.

"My experience with the Shulman & Hill lawyers during this process time was excellent, they are competent and very professional lawyers, they worked quickly with my case and they kept me informed of the whole process all the time. Shulman & Hill’s fans recommend them with closed eyes, thank you very much Shulman & Hill."

Carolyn G.

"Shulman & Hill is the best firm out there. They help you understand....since walking into Shulman & Hill, they have guided me...to get a win. I am completely happy with my compensation. What brought me to Shulman & Hill was their expertise in workers compensation and personal injury cases. What I found value in was in their mission to provide compassionate service..."

Jason S.

"I went to the Internet to find a lawyer to assist me to navigate worker’s compensation process. Shulman & Hill was my first choice  and I have no regrets. I was impressed with the prompt response to my case. I must comment on the office environment and office staff being  friendly, professional and prompt. A big thanks to the lawyers that represented me at the hearings and Valeria who helped to lessen my anxiety are dealing with legal issues. I have no hesitation in recommending this law firm to anyone that requires legal services."

Ita L.

"The best law firm in NYC! They explain everything to you and they are very generous and helpful. The lawyers are excellent and very respectful as also is the receptionist. I highly recommend the Shulman & Hill law firm."

Davis C.

"Excellent lawyers. Excellent service. I will recommend them as my first choice. They helped me with my case since day one. They know exactly how to work on a case and win it. They worked fast and were always in communication with me.  I won my case with a very high amount. Thanks to all the staff, I wish them my best. They will always be in my heart."

Grace B.

"Had a very positive experience working with Shulman & Hill in the worker’s compensation case. Everyone is very professional and competent. Received the maximum possible settlement in court. I am sincerely grateful to my lawyers and personally Alex Shulman for the work done. I wish you further success and prosperity."

Dmitry M.

"I am so glad that I chose Alex Shulman to represent me in my worker’s compensation case. I have definitely recommended him to some of my coworkers and friends who needed an Attorney. I am so happy with the service I got from him and his paralegals. Thank you very much to the entire staff at Shulman & Hill for everything!"

Ilya K.

"Shulman & Hill have been tremendously helpful in resolving my case. They are extremely professional and thorough. I would recommend them to anyone working to resolve a difficult case."

James M.

"I was very pleased with the work of this firm. They made sure I understood my case and I was never left out of the loop. They were professional and very friendly. I would recommend them to anyone looking for someone who is going to fight for you to the very end."

Jennifer D.

"Do not waste time looking for better. There is no better than Shulman & Hill. I am very happy I got introduced to them by my good friends. Definitely THE BEST there is."

Arian K.

"Shulman and Hill are the absolute best: JJ, Alex and Christine are powerhouse attorneys who get the best results for their clients. I feel like these guys took care of me like family. When you’re dealing with a worker’s compensation case, you’ll want a pit bull to represent you: Shulman & Hill is the firm you need."

Chelsea W.

"Wonderful service quality by the group of professional advocates in the law firm of Shulman & Hill! I did not expect that I will find a proper solution regarding my worker’s compensation. However, it has been possible by the experts and they have made the task easier over the period. Thanks to them for their help."

Corey A.

"I would definitely like to thank Mr. Alex Shulman and his entire staff at Shulman and Hill for their exceptional work in helping me with my Worker’s Compensation case. Their entire staff was courteous and professional from start to finish and all work was done in a timely fashion. I was previously with a different law firm who were not as informative, and they made me feel like I was a mere money to them. I personally recommend the law offices of Shulman & Hill for any injury/ worker’s compensation case you may have. They strive to get you a maximum reward for your injury, while maintaining the utmost courtesy and professionalism."

Dain J.

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