Social Security Disability Lawyer in New York

If you were seriously injured or diagnosed with a severe illness, you could qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. These benefits could help you and your family make ends meet when you are unable to work. The process of applying for disability benefits can be complicated, so you may want to hire a Social Security Disability lawyer from Shulman & Hill in New York to assist you.

To find out more at no cost to you, call 212.221.1000 or fill in our contact form to schedule a consultation.

What Social Security Disability Lawyers Do

As disability lawyers, our task is to do everything in our power to help applicants get the benefits they deserve. We can work toward this goal by performing any tasks the Social Security Administration requires. This includes but is not limited to:

Determining Which Benefits You Qualify For

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers both Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for those who need financial assistance. Though they may sound similar, SSDI and SSI have many crucial differences. For example:

• SSDI requires applicants to have worked and paid into Social Security for at least ten years before they may draw benefits. SSI has no work requirements.
• SSDI applicants must have a qualifying disability. SSI applicants can either be disabled or be over 65 years of age.
• Both SSDI and SSI accept applications from those who make less than a specific amount of money each year, but that amount differs for each type of benefit.
• Both SSDI and SSI also allow the spouses and children of qualifying applicants to apply for benefits. With SSI, a disabled child may qualify in their own right.

It is critical for you to apply for the benefits you qualify for. Otherwise, your claim could be rejected, and you would experience unnecessary delays in getting your benefits.

Shulman & Hill would be more than happy to sit down with you, discuss your situation, and determine which benefits you should apply for. This can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Collecting Paperwork

It is the applicant’s responsibility—with a lawyer’s help if they hire one—to prove to the SSA that they meet all of the requirements. A Social Security Disability lawyer from our New York office could help you improve your case file by finding and submitting:

• Sufficient medical records to prove you have a qualifying disability
• A detailed work history that shows you meet the SSDI’s work requirements
• Statements from acquaintances and loved ones that confirm the serious effect the disability has had and will have on your life
• Tax filings to prove you meet the income requirements for SSDI or SSI
• Proof of birth, marriage, and citizenship or legal status

Sending in enough evidence is perhaps the most important thing you can do when seeking disability benefits. We can review your case file before sending it in to make sure you have included enough information for the SSA to make a fair determination.

Appealing Your Case

Our goal is to get you the benefits you deserve as quickly as possible. We try to accomplish this on the first go, but unfortunately, SSA often denies initial applications for disability benefits (for any number of reasons). If the SSA rejects your initial request for benefits, we could:

• Contact the SSA immediately to determine the reason for the denial
• Request that the SSA reconsider your claim within the deadline
• Request a hearing if the reconsideration does not end in a favorable decision
• Request a review by the Appeals Council if the hearing does not end in a favorable decision

Even if you have already started your case, either on your own or with another law firm, we want to help. We are not afraid of tough cases. Even if we have to appeal your claim multiple times, we can stay by your side as you fight for your benefits.

Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability?

The SSA defines disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”

For child applicants, rather than citing an inability to earn a living as a requirement, the SSA states the child’s condition must be characterized by “marked and severe functional limitations.”

Types of Disabilities

Anyone can become disabled at any time. Perhaps you have a chronic condition that you know will worsen as you age, or maybe you were exposed to cancer-causing toxins at work. Maybe you ended up in a car accident or were injured by a doctor’s malpractice.

Because the causes and manifestations of disabling conditions are so diverse, the SSA recognizes a wide range of disabilities, including but not limited to:

• Heart conditions
• Liver and kidney conditions
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Mental illnesses
• Neurological problems
• Sensory issues
• Potentially fatal illnesses, such as cancer
• Transplants and amputations

The SSA maintains a list of the types of conditions that could qualify an adult for disability benefits in their Blue Book. Children’s disabilities follow a slightly different standard, and even adults with a disability not listed in the Blue Book could still potentially receive benefits.

If you have any questions about whether or not your condition counts as a disability for SSA purposes, contact Shulman & Hill. We can review your situation and, if necessary, advise that you go see a doctor for a new diagnosis.

Let Our New York Disability Lawyer Address Your Concerns

The process of applying for benefits is often longer and more complex than it should be. We know you are probably feeling overwhelmed, confused, frustrated, or even angry by all the hoops that the government is making you jump through just to get the money you need to make ends meet.

Shulman & Hill wants you to know that, as we handle your case, we do not focus solely on the SSA. As our client, we also prioritize your needs. We can:

• Spend time with you in person or over the phone, discussing your case and reviewing your options
• Explain more about how the SSA and the application/appeals process works
• Make sure you are informed enough to make smart decisions throughout the process
• Respond to your questions in a prompt and timely manner, and if we do not know the answer to your question, get it as soon as possible
• Update you whenever there is a notable change in your case status

We want to be your ally in this fight. The lawyer we assign to your case can be there to support you from beginning to end, no matter how long it takes or how many complications we encounter. You can always rely on us for compassionate and professional legal support.

Social Security Disability Is a Vital Benefit

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an integral part of the safety net of the United States. It provides vital protection to millions of workers in the case of a severe, long-lasting medical impairment. For millions of Americans, SSDI is a lifeline that keeps them from slipping into economic catastrophe.

Qualifying for SSDI benefits, however, has become increasingly difficult. A typical case involves:

• Preparing extensive paperwork
• Assembling detailed medical documentation
• Dealing with government bureaucracy
• Submitting several appeals and requesting a hearing before a Social Security judge, in many cases

A single mistake at any stage of the process can result in delayed payment or a denied claim.

The success of your case may well depend on the experience, skill, and prowess of your New York Social Security Disability lawyer. Shulman & Hill provides legal assistance from leading attorneys who have devoted decades to representing the disabled.

We can handle your case from the initial application through appeal. We can be with you every step of the way, providing solid legal counsel with dedicated and compassionate service.

We Help Disability Applicants in New York

Shulman & Hill’s Social Security Disability lawyers are ready to answer your questions by phone or in person throughout New York, including Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Queens. In addition to legal help with SSDI and SSI claims, we also provide representation in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. Shulman & Hill offers free case reviews and handles SSD cases on a contingency-fee-basis.

Call 212.221.1000, email us at [email protected], or fill out our online contact form to get in touch with a New York SSD attorney.