812-213-4551Illinois Social Security Disability Attorneys
A Compassionate Legal Team with Years of Experience Helping Countless Clients Win Disability Benefits Throughout Illinois
The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs provide invaluable assistance for individuals who cannot work due to physical or mental disabilities.
Unfortunately, many deserving applicants struggle to get their claims approved, often fighting for months or even years to receive the benefits they are rightfully entitled to. The Illinois Social Security disability attorneys at Gerling Law understand your frustration and confusion. We fight to get your disability claim approved, even if you have already received a denial of benefits.
Are You Eligible to Receive Social Security Benefits?
To obtain benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA), applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having a qualifying physical or mental health condition, meeting vocational requirements, and fulfilling additional procedural and regulatory requirements.
You may be eligible to be awarded disability benefits if you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working full-time in substantial gainful activities. Essentially, you may be eligible for disability benefits if your disability prevents you from earning at least $1000 every month. Procedurally, you could potentially obtain benefits through your initial application or through an appeal after a denied claim.
As your legal representatives, we will first ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for obtaining Social Security disability benefits. We will accomplish this task by gathering evidence to support your claim, such as medical records that show you have been found disabled by a medical professional. We will evaluate all the supporting evidence and then assist you in submitting the proper forms for your disability case. We will also verify all vocational aspects of your disability claim, such as proving that you cannot meet the physical or mental requirements inherent in your previous line of employment. If your initial application is denied, we represent disabled people in the appeals process in accordance with Social Security laws. To learn more and begin the legal process, schedule your free initial consultation with our attorneys today.
What Are the Differences Between SSDI and SSI Benefits?
You may be eligible for different types of disability benefits from your local Social Security office. It is crucial to understand the distinctions between the primary types of Social Security to ensure that you apply for the correct program. You may be eligible to receive benefits through Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
SSDI benefits are tied to your work history and pay benefits to you and eligible dependent family members if you have a disability, have enough work credits, and have paid adequate Social Security taxes.
SSI benefits do not require work history or credits. SSI can be provided to you to cover basic expenses such as food, housing, and clothing, provided you have a qualifying disability or are at least 65 years old or older.
Contact the SSI and SSD lawyers of our firm to learn the benefits of retaining our qualified legal services to assist you through the application and appeals processes.
How Does the Illinois Social Security Disability Claims Process Work?
The process for applying and getting approved for Social Security disability benefits can be confusing and time-consuming, especially if you aren’t familiar with the process.
The steps for applying for SSI and SSDI are essentially identical. You must complete and submit a claim that follows the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) required format. Your application must include all relevant documentation to support your condition and demonstrate specifically how it affects your ability to perform your job.
Once your application is submitted to the SSA, a reviewer evaluates your qualifications and responds typically within three to six months. Once your application is approved, you can expect to start receiving your benefits within four to six weeks.
What Happens at an Administrative Law Judge Hearing?
To win a Social Security disability case, you must understand what to expect from administrative law judge hearings in federal court. Our law firm represents disabled individuals in these courtroom hearings and has the extensive experience to assist you in receiving benefits for your qualifying disabilities.
Most disability hearings are held at your local Social Security office. Depending on your needs or circumstances, some hearings can also be conducted through video conferencing technology. In most disability hearings, you, your legal representation, and the administrative law judge, as well as their judicial staff, will be the only people present. Depending on the situation, Social Security Administration professionals may also be asked to attend and provide medical or vocational opinions.
Your administrative law judge hearing is the official proceeding in your case, but it’s generally not incredibly formal, and you can expect the judge to ask essential questions about your life, your disability, and the extent to which your life has been affected by that disability. After your voice has been heard and your attorneys have presented all the evidence, the judge will render a decision.
Can You Get SSDI for a Mental Illness?
You may be entitled to receive SSDI benefits if mental illness affects your ability to work. Some of the conditions that may qualify for benefits include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and dementia.
To meet the SSA’s qualifications, mental illness must prevent you from working or being trained to work in another capacity. The condition must affect your ability to work for at least one year. Finally, a qualified medical professional (such as a psychiatrist or psychologist) must diagnose your condition and provide appropriate documentation for your claim.
The biggest hurdle to getting a mental illness disability claim approved is that you must prove that the condition causes functional limitations that affect your ability to work. Talk to one of our experienced attorneys about your claim for Social Security disability related to mental illness to learn more about your options.
Fighting a Denied Social Security Disability Claim Through the Appeals Process
If the SSA denies your application for benefits, you must formally request a review (known as reconsideration) within 60 days. If you don’t act within this period, you will need to restart the application process.
After you request reconsideration, the SSA will assign your claim to another reviewer. It may take up to three or four months to receive a decision regarding your review. If the SSA denies your claim a second time, you have 60 days to request a formal hearing. This hearing is conducted before an administrative law judge and may take up to two years to be scheduled. Once the hearing concludes, the judge may take up to 90 days to render a decision. If your claim is denied after the hearing, we may have other options to appeal that decision.
How Can an Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer from Our Firm Help Your Case?
As you can see, fighting a denied Social Security disability claim can be a lengthy process that prevents you from getting your much-needed benefits. Working with a disability attorney can help ensure that your claim gets processed and approved as quickly as possible, potentially avoiding the need for reviews and appeals.
A disability lawyer will handle every aspect of the claims process, including the preparation of your initial claim. This benefits you because your attorney will have a profound understanding of the process and the most effective way of documenting your condition. You will also benefit from your attorney’s resources, including referrals to doctors and other medical professionals who are familiar with SSDI and SSI assessments and documentation.
Your disability lawyer will be there for you throughout the process to provide the information and answers you need. Your attorney and legal team will work hard to build the most persuasive claim possible and fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
What Are Some Useful Tips for Filing a Social Security Disability Application?
There are several tips that your Social Security disability attorneys can present to help you secure a more stable financial future for yourself and your loved ones if you have been rendered disabled with a qualifying condition. It’s also essential that applicants understand their opportunities for increasing the likelihood of success in their disability cases.
Tips and evidence that can be used for applying for disability benefits include the following:
- Keep thorough records of all medical treatment, lab tests, physical and mental health therapy, and anything relevant to your disability.
- Ensure that you follow the recommended medical treatment. Failure to follow your doctor’s orders could result in a denial of your claim.
- Show the physical restrictions and the full extent of the effects and symptoms of your disabilities. If you can prove that you are no longer able to work because of these disabilities, you have a stronger chance of winning your case.
- You must be able to show that your medical impairments will last at least a year or have already lasted more than 12 months. You must also establish that your doctor agrees with your assessment of the severity of your disabilities.
- Establish that you are operating on an extremely limited income and would benefit from receiving disability benefits to make things easier for yourself and your family.
Contact Our Law Firm for a Free Consultation with Our Illinois Social Security Disability Attorneys Today
The experienced disability lawyers at Gerling Law understand how important it is to get your SSDI or SSI application approved quickly, so you have the financial resources you so desperately need.
We offer a complimentary case evaluation and consultation, allowing you to discuss your claim with one of our experienced Illinois Social Security disability attorneys. Contact us now at 812-213-4551.