Summerlin SSDI Lawyer

The SSDI Program

The SSDI program sends monthly payments to disabled individuals who can no longer work at all or engage in gainful employment. It is a credit-based program requiring a sufficient history of work credits earned over a period of time. SSDI lasts the duration of your disability, and money may be used as you need it. 

If you need SSDI, you must carefully apply for benefits with the Social Security Administration. Your application will be evaluated for completeness, and your disability will be reviewed for eligibility. 

All documents and forms must be present and complete. Any missing items, incomplete information, or lack of information will result in delays and potentially a denial of benefits. 

Eligibility

Eligibility for SSDI requires more than having a disability. The disability must be severe and must effectively hamper your ability to engage in work at the substantial gainful activity level (SGA) and prevent you from engaging in previous or adjusted work. It must also prevent you from doing SGA for at least a year. A disability that will end in death also qualifies, as does blindness.

Categories of eligible disabilities in SSDI cases include:

• Musculoskeletal disorders
• Respiratory disorders
• Cardiovascular system issues
• Hematological disorders
• Endocrine disorders
• Digestive disorders
• Genitourinary disorders

You must also have sufficient work credits banked to access SSDI. Work credits are earned based on how much money you earn. The maximum number of work credits you can earn each year is 4, with each credit currently, for 2024, requiring $1,730 in wages. Typically, the SSA requires at least 20 of the credits to have been earned in the previous 10 years. 

Benefits And Denials

SSDI benefits come as monthly payments that provide only a portion of your previous salary or wage up to a state maximum. The average SSDI payment in Nevada, which is a little more than $1,400 per month, is not intended to provide a living income. However, many find themselves living solely on these benefits.

Many others find themselves fighting to receive the benefits they deserve. Reasons why benefits get denied or delayed include:

• The SSA wants to pay as little as possible
• Applicant confusion or error
• Missed deadlines
• Missing information or documents

Benefits also go uncollected because applicants sometimes are unaware of what they are owed. 

Appeals

If your SSDI claim has been denied, you are in no way alone. You may not realize this, but over half of SSDI disability claims receive denials on the first go around. Fortunately, you may appeal your denial but must do so within 60 days of being officially notified of your denial. 

There are four levels of appeal:

• Reconsideration, which involves a different disability examiner reviewing your case
• A disability hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ)
• An Appeals Council of the SSA review if the ALJ rejects your appeal
• An appeal in federal court is the last resort if the Appeals Council upholds the denial

At each appeals stage, presenting a clear, strong case for approval is essential. Cases regularly get thrown out or denied for incompleteness or error, but not so with experienced attorneys. An attorney has the adequate breadth of knowledge and experience to know what it takes to turn a no into a yes.  

FAQ

A Lifeline For Millions

SSDI is a lifeline for millions in Summerlin, but it is often a challenge to acquire. Those with disabilities need skilled and experienced advocates who know how to access full SSDI benefits and get denials or bad decisions overturned. If you need SSDI payments, don’t hesitate to contact an experienced Summerlin lawyer for vital help.

Sources:

Listing of Impairments – Adult Listings.
SSA Disability Decision Making. (2003).
Who Can Get Disability?