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Social Security Disability Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is form of government benefit through the Social Security Administration that provides monthly benefits to people who have worked jobs covered by Social Security and that have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s strict definition of disability. It most commonly applies to people who have a lengthy work record and are 50 years-old or more. The good news is that it is easy to apply for, and if you are successful in getting it, you can still work but are subject to limits on how much you can earn and still retain your SSDI benefits.
Filing for social security disability can be a stressful, frustrating, and intimidating road to travel. As your attorney, we can guide you through the paperwork and steps. Beware, the Social Security Administration denies a significant number of applications, even people with very strong claims. As a result, people with serious needs can benefit from the assistance our office can provide. If you think you have a claim to disability, we encourage you to call the Law Office Of John Adams Christiansen at (816) 416-7070. The consultation is free. There is no need to wait until you are denied, though you can try on your own first, as many do, and see if you are successful. If denied, contact our office within 60 days of your denial notice.
If you hire our office, there will not be any surprises. The initial consultation is free. There are no charges until disability benefits are awarded. At that time, the firm receives an authorized fee of 25% of past due benefits, not to exceed $6,000. At our office, every client counts. When you hire our office, attorney John Christiansen will be the primary contact person and you will get the attention you deserve.
Some people ask the question of how much can I get in social security disability benefits? If you are eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), the amount will be based on your average lifetime earnings before your disability began. Your benefits are based on how much you’ve paid in and not how sick or disabled you are. It is important to check your earnings history with Social Security. You can request an earnings statement by completing the form found at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-7050.pdf or by creating your own account with Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
In a case awarding social security disability, an onset date of disability will be set forth. Establishing the correct onset date of disability is of the utmost importance and will affect the period for which the claimant is entitled to benefits. For most people, the onset date will be the date they stopped working on a full-time basis because of your physical and/or mental disability. However, this is not true for all people.
A brief discussion of what is meant by disability is important. The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other program and areas of law. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. A person is considered to have a qualifying disability under Social Security rules if all of the following are true: 1) You cannot do work and engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA) because of your medical condition, 2) You cannot do work you did not previously or adjust to other work because of your medical condition, 3) Your condition has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.
Compassionate Allowances are a way that Social Security has to quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that by definition meet Social Security’s standards for disability benefits. These fast track disability decisions to ensure that claimant’s with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months. Once a compassionate allowance is identified it is on the fast-track through the approval process. There is also expedited processing for disabled veterans. If a veteran has a 100% permanent and total disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) these applications will be treated with the highest priority.
The following internet links may help you find resources while you wait to hear from Social Security:
www.freepublicassistance.com/state/missouridisability.mo.gov
www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/missouri_assistance_programs.html