Your Questions Answered

Disability Law Group represents individuals seeking Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. Our team guides clients through the disability process by reviewing claims, communicating with Social Security when appropriate, gathering supporting evidence, monitoring deadlines, preparing appeals when applicable, and advocating throughout each stage of the claim.

There are no upfront attorney fees to hire Disability Law Group. Attorney fees are government regulated and are generally paid from any past-due benefits awarded, subject to SSA approval. The standard fee is 25% and is capped at $9,200. We will never collect more than that.

Every Social Security case is different. Processing times depend on several factors, including the stage of your claim, Social Security’s workload, and the evidence involved. While we can’t control SSA’s timeline, we’ll continue working on your case and keep you informed of important updates.

No attorney can ethically guarantee the outcome of a Social Security claim. What we can promise is that we’ll carefully evaluate your case, advocate on your behalf, and provide guidance throughout the process.

We’ll review your situation to determine whether our firm is able to assist with your Continuing Disability Review and explain the services we can provide.

Every case is unique. Our legal team evaluates many factors, including medical evidence, work history, treatment, and Social Security’s rules. Rather than making predictions, we focus on carefully reviewing the facts and advocating for every qualified client.

At Disability Law Group, we understand that applying for disability benefits can be overwhelming. Our team is committed to providing compassionate service, clear communication, and knowledgeable guidance throughout the process. While no law firm can guarantee an outcome, we are dedicated to advocating for our clients every step of the way and helping them navigate the Social Security disability system with confidence.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a program for individuals who have worked, paid Social Security taxes, and meet Social Security’s disability requirements.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for individuals with limited income and resources who meet Social Security’s disability requirements.

SSDI is based on your work history and Social Security taxes you’ve paid while working. SSI is based primarily on financial need. Some individuals may qualify for one program, while others may qualify for both.

There is no list of conditions that automatically qualifies someone for benefits. Social Security evaluates how a medical condition affects a person’s ability to perform work activities, along with other eligibility requirements.

Work credits are earned by working and paying Social Security taxes. The number of credits needed depends on your age and when you became disabled. We’ll review your work history to determine whether you may meet SSDI’s insured status requirements.

A Date Last Insured, or DLI, is the last date you remain insured for SSDI based on your work history. For SSDI claims, Social Security generally evaluates whether you became disabled on or before that date.

A Continuing Disability Review is a periodic review conducted by Social Security after benefits have been awarded to determine whether an individual continues to meet the program’s disability requirements.

Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits may be available to certain adults whose disability began before age 22 and who meet Social Security’s eligibility requirements. Our team will review your circumstances to determine whether this program may apply.

Disabled Widow(er)’s Benefits (DWB) may be available to qualifying widows, widowers, or certain surviving divorced spouses who meet Social Security’s eligibility requirements. We’ll review your situation to determine whether this benefit may apply.

SSI has financial eligibility rules, including limits on certain income and resources. We’ll review your financial situation to determine whether SSI may be available.

Resources may include certain bank accounts, cash, investments, and other assets. Some property is excluded under Social Security’s rules. We’ll review your situation to better understand what may apply.

In many situations, the home you live in does not count as a resource for SSI eligibility. We’ll discuss your living arrangements and review the applicable rules.

One vehicle used for transportation is often excluded under SSI resource rules. We’ll review your situation to determine how the rules apply to your case.

There are many reasons Social Security may deny a claim. Common reasons include insufficient medical evidence, earnings above Social Security’s limits, or a determination that the medical evidence does not support disability under SSA’s rules. Our legal team will review your denial to determine the best course of action.

In many situations, yes. The available appeal depends on where you are in the Social Security process and whether the appeal deadline has passed. We’ll review your case and determine what options may be available.

In most situations, Social Security requires appeals to be filed within 60 days of receiving the decision. Because deadlines are important, we encourage clients to contact us as soon as possible after receiving a denial.

That’s okay. You can contact SSA and request a copy be mailed to you and or check your online portal.

Yes. Many of our clients contact us after one or more denials. A prior denial does not automatically mean you cannot qualify for benefits.

If your initial application is denied, you may have the right to request the next level of appeal, depending on your circumstances, type of denial and whether applicable deadlines are met. Our team will review your denial and discuss the appropriate next steps.

Reconsideration is generally the first level of appeal after an initial denial in states where it applies. During Reconsideration, a different Disability Determination Services examiner reviews your claim and any additional evidence submitted.

An Administrative Law Judge Hearing is an opportunity for an independent judge to review your disability claim after earlier administrative decisions. The judge considers the evidence, listens to testimony, and issues a written decision.

In many hearing cases, the claimant is asked questions by the Administrative Law Judge. If your case reaches the hearing stage, our legal team will help prepare you so you understand what to expect.

If we represent you at the hearing level, your attorney or an appropriate representative from our firm will attend the hearing with you and advocate on your behalf.

The Appeals Council reviews certain Administrative Law Judge decisions when a request for review is filed. The Council may deny the request, return the case for another hearing, or issue its own decision, depending on the circumstances.

Depending on your circumstances, there may be additional legal options available. Our legal team will review your case and discuss any appropriate next steps with you.

Federal Court is generally the final level of judicial review in a Social Security disability case. If your case reaches that stage, our attorneys will evaluate whether pursuing a Federal Court action is appropriate.

Hearing wait times vary depending on the hearing office and Social Security’s workload. We’ll continue monitoring your case and notify you as updates become available.

Hearings may be conducted in person, by telephone, or by video, depending on Social Security’s scheduling procedures and the circumstances of your case.

Missing a hearing can have serious consequences. If you believe you may miss your hearing or have already missed it, contact our office immediately so we can discuss your options.

If you receive another denial, send us a copy immediately. We’ll review the decision and determine whether additional appeal rights or other options may be available.

Medical evidence is one of the most important parts of a disability claim. We’ll review your treatment history and determine what documentation may be needed to support your case.

Absolutely. If you already have copies of your medical records, we’re happy to review them. Providing records you already have may also help reduce delays.

Consistent medical treatment is often important in disability claims. We’ll discuss your treatment history and determine what information is available before evaluating your case.

A Medical Source Statement is an opinion from a medical provider describing how your medical conditions affect your ability to perform work-related activities. In some cases, this type of evidence may help support a disability claim.

Not necessarily. Whether a Medical Source Statement is beneficial depends on the specific facts of your case. Our legal team will determine whether additional medical opinions may strengthen your claim.

Some providers choose not to complete disability forms. If that happens, our legal team will evaluate the available medical evidence and determine the best way to continue supporting your claim.

We’ll review all of your treatment sources, including specialists, hospitals, therapists, and clinics, to determine what medical evidence is available and what is necessary to move forward with your case.

We’ll discuss your treatment history to understand your circumstances. Consistent medical evidence is often important in disability claims, we require on-going treatment every 3- 6 months in most cases to be able to move forward.

Yes. Medical records from providers in any state may be relevant if they relate to your medical conditions and disability claim.

Depending on your case and the stage of your claim, our team may request medical records or discuss other ways to obtain the documentation needed to support your claim.

Some medical providers charge copying or processing fees, while others provide records at no cost. If fees apply, we’ll discuss them with you and explore available options whenever possible.

Please let our office know as soon as possible. Updated treatment information helps us keep your file current and ensure we have the most complete medical evidence available.

Please notify our office whenever possible if you’re hospitalized. Hospital records may be important evidence in your disability claim.

Possibly. Social Security may schedule a Consultative Examination if they need additional medical information. If you’re scheduled for one, it’s important to attend and notify our office as soon as possible.

A Consultative Examination is an evaluation scheduled by Social Security with an independent medical provider when they need additional information to evaluate a claim.

If Social Security schedules a Consultative Examination, it’s generally very important to attend. Missing an exam could affect the evaluation of your claim. If you receive a notice, please contact our office immediately.

A Vocational Expert is a professional who may testify during a disability hearing regarding the types of work someone may be able to perform based on Social Security’s rules.

In some cases, Social Security may ask a Medical Expert to provide testimony. Whether a Medical Expert is involved depends on the specific facts of the case.

Attendance at hearings depends on Social Security’s procedures and the circumstances of the case. If your case reaches the hearing level, your attorney will discuss what to expect.

Please let our office know about any changes in your medical condition, new diagnoses, hospitalizations, surgeries, or treatment. Updated information may be important to your claim.

It depends. Social Security has earnings guidelines and other rules regarding work activity. If you work and earn over the SGA you will be ineligible for benefits. You have to be unable to work or working well under $1,690 a month. Going over this amount could put you in jeopardy of being denied or losing your benefits.

If Social Security approves your claim, they’ll issue a written decision explaining your benefits. Depending on your case, you may receive monthly benefits and, if applicable, past-due benefits. We’ll review the decision with you and answer any questions you have.

An overpayment occurs when Social Security determines that more benefits were paid than an individual was entitled to receive. If you’ve received an overpayment notice, we’ll review the information and determine if we can provide you with a referral. We do not handle overpayment cases here.

In some situations, eligible family members may qualify for auxiliary benefits based on your record. Whether those benefits are available depends on the specific program and your family’s circumstances. We’ll discuss this with you if it may apply to your case.

Eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid depends on several factors, including the type of benefits you receive and other program requirements. If your claim is approved, we’ll help explain what information Social Security provides regarding healthcare coverage.

It depends. Whether you receive past-due (back) benefits depends on several factors, including the type of claim, your established onset date, waiting periods, and Social Security’s rules. If you’re approved, Social Security will calculate any benefits due.

Although people often use the terms interchangeably, they can refer to different periods of payable benefits under Social Security’s rules. Retroactive Benefits: Covers the period between the date your condition or eligibility officially began (onset date) and the date you actually filed your application. Back Pay: Covers the period starting from the date you submitted your application up to the date your claim is finally approved.

Be careful with work while receiving disability benefits. It’s important to report any work activity to both Social Security and our office so we can discuss how it may affect your claim or benefits. Working can impact your approval and ongoing benefit amount.

Social Security has earnings guidelines that may affect eligibility. Because those limits can change and each situation is unique, we’ll review your work activity and earnings as part of evaluating your case.

Substantial Gainful Activity, or SGA, is a term Social Security uses to evaluate whether a person’s work and earnings may affect disability eligibility. We’ll review your work history and current employment to determine how these rules may apply.

A Trial Work Period is a Social Security work incentive that may allow certain SSDI beneficiaries to test their ability to work while continuing to receive benefits, provided program requirements are met.

An Unsuccessful Work Attempt may apply when someone tries to return to work but must stop or reduce their work because of their medical condition within a limited period. Whether it applies depends on Social Security’s rules and the facts of your case.

Not necessarily. Attempts to work that end because of medical limitations may still be important evidence in your claim. We’ll discuss your work history in detail to better understand your situation.

Many individuals apply for both. However, private disability policies vary, and some may affect how benefits are calculated. We’ll discuss your situation and coordinate with your LTD information as appropriate.

Yes, in many situations individuals receive Short-Term Disability while applying for Social Security Disability. We’ll review your circumstances to determine how the programs may interact.

Yes. Receiving Workers’ Compensation does not automatically prevent someone from applying for Social Security Disability. However, it may affect benefit calculations in some situations.

Possibly. Receiving unemployment benefits does not automatically prevent someone from filing for disability, but the circumstances surrounding both claims may be relevant. Once approved, you may owe the unemployment money back.

Yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security are separate agencies with different rules. Receiving VA disability benefits does not automatically qualify or disqualify someone for Social Security Disability.

No. While a VA disability rating may be important evidence, Social Security uses different laws and medical standards when evaluating disability claims.

In some situations, yes. The interaction between retirement and disability benefits depends on your age, benefit type, and individual circumstances. If you elect to file for ERB you will need to file for SSD secondly on your own before we can represent you. You will receive a reduced amount as a penalty for drawing your benefits early.

That’s an important decision that you will have to determine based on what’s best for you and your situation, because every situation is different.

You may still have options depending on your circumstances. We’ll review your benefit status and determine what options may be available.

Please notify both our office and Social Security as soon as possible if you begin working or your work activity changes. We’ll discuss how it may affect your claim or benefits.

Yes. It’s important to keep both Social Security and our office informed of any changes to your address, phone number, or contact information so you don’t miss important correspondence.

Please send us a copy as soon as possible. Many Social Security letters contain important deadlines or requests for information, and reviewing them promptly helps us provide the best assistance.

We’ll contact you whenever we have a meaningful update, need additional information, or have questions about your case. If you ever have questions, you’re always welcome to contact our office.

Absolutely. We’re happy to answer questions about your case. If there hasn’t been a recent update from Social Security, we’ll let you know the current status and explain the next anticipated step.

It’s common for there to be periods where Social Security is reviewing a claim without sending updates. Even during those times, we’ll continue monitoring your case and notify you of any significant developments.

If you miss our call, please return it as soon as you’re able. If we need information from you, responding promptly helps prevent unnecessary delays.

Yes. We’ll provide instructions for securely sending documents to our office. Please include your name and any identifying information we request so we can match the documents to your file.

Please let us know as soon as possible. Your move may affect where your claim is processed, and we’ll make sure your file reflects your updated information.

Please notify our office immediately. In some situations, Social Security allows certain eligible individuals to continue aspects of the claim or pursue benefits that may be payable. Our legal team will review the circumstances and explain any available options.

The best ways to help your case include: Continue treating with your medical providers whenever possible. Follow prescribed treatment plans. Keep our office informed of any changes. Respond promptly to requests for information. Notify us of new medical providers, hospitalizations, or Social Security correspondence.