If you or your family members are disabled, the federal government offers financial support through the Social Security Administration (SSA). However, some people do not receive the Social Security benefits they deserve until they hire a disability attorney to assist them because the application and approval system is a complex one. The information below may help you understand how the process works.

What Is Disability?

Generally, under the SSA definition, a person is recognized as having a disability when they cannot perform the work they did before becoming disabled. In addition, they must show their medical condition makes them unable to adjust to other work. An applicant’s disability must have existed for a year or more or is expected to last for a year or more or to result in death. The SSA uses a five-step process to evaluate disability benefits applications. 

What Are the Benefits?

Approved applicants receive a monthly payment between $800 and $1,800 monthly. Payments are based on your average lifetime earnings before becoming disabled rather than on the severity of your disability. Benefits start six months after SSA determines you are disabled.

Who Can Apply?

If you believe you meet the SSA disability definition, then apply for the benefits. If you are a veteran or wounded warrior, the divorced or surviving spouse of a disabled person, or if you are blind or have low vision, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits under special rules. In addition, you can apply for benefits for your disabled children under the age of 18. Individuals with certain severe conditions or diseases, such as early-onset Alzheimer's disease, organ transplants, and many cancers, qualify for compassionate allowances that speed up the approval process.

If you are applying for or have been denied Social Security benefits, turn to the disability attorneys at Sanders & Austin in Princeton, WV. For more than 100 years, this family-owned firm has been successful in helping Mercer County residents obtain compensation for personal injury and disability claims. An experienced disability attorney will assist you in assembling and presenting your work history and medical documentation and guide you through the application process. Visit their website to learn more about these lawyers’ practice areas and call (304) 425-8125 to set up a consultation today.