Social Security disability benefits are designed to provide supplemental income to people who are injured or disabled and who are unable to work due to their medical condition. Depending on the type of disability, benefits may be available on a temporary or permanent basis.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum is very familiar with the Social Security disability process and understands the eligibility requirements for receiving benefits. Please contact our offices today for a case evaluation. If you meet the eligibility requirements, even if you have been denied benefits in the past, we can help.
Social Security Disability Insurance Application Process
A disability benefits application may be filed online, in person, over the phone, or by mail. These applications go to the local Social Security Administration field office in the state where the applicant or claimant resides.
When your application is received, the SSA verifies your nonmedical eligibility. This includes the verifying age, marital status, and Social Security coverage. As long as you meet the nonmedical eligibility requirements, the field office will forward your application to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office.
The DDS office processes your application and attempts to get the medical evidence required to make an initial decision on whether or not you are disabled according to the law. There are many different steps that go into this process, but basically you must be unable to do the work that you did before your disability and you must not be able to adjust to other work because of the disability.
If the DDS determines that you are disabled, the application and approval go back to the field office and the SSA completes any outstanding forms before calculating the benefit you can receive. At this point, you would begin receiving benefits.
If the DDS determines that you are not disabled, your application is sent back to the field office. The file is kept there in case you decide to appeal. If you appeal, the appeal process begins.
Consulting a Social Security Disability Attorney
At the Tatum Law Firm, we have worked with many disabled clients who have a genuine need for financial assistance due to their medical conditions. We want to help all injured and disabled residents of North Carolina and South Carolina receive the disability benefits they earned. We will help you complete the Social Security disability application process to ensure you have the best chance of your application being accepted.
Attorney Brian Steed Tatum has years of experience in working through the Social Security disability process. He understands the importance of a thorough and complete application and can help assist you through the process towards a favorable outcome for you and your family.
For a free case evaluation, please contact our offices at (704) 307-4350, or reach out to us online and we will be happy to serve you.