Filing for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits can be overwhelming. Clients who work with disability lawyers in Winston Salem are more successful than those who do not have a lawyer representing them. In reviewing whether a claimant is elible to receive benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses their Blue Book of disabling conditions as a guide.
What You Need to Know Before Applying for Disability
The SSA considers a claimant ‘disabled’ if they meet the administration’s definition of disability. Before issuing a favorable decision to approve disability benefits, SSA will ensure a claimant meets the following criteria:
- You are not able to perform work at a substantial level from your previous job.
- You are not able to adjust to a different line of work.
- Your medical impairments are severe and long-lasting. They must prevent or be expected to prevent you from working for 12 consecutive months or longer.
In addition to the above criteria, a strong disability application will include supporting medical evidence from your treating providers. Your medical evidence may include but is not limited to the following:
- The Diagnosis
- Prescribed Medications
- Treatment Plans
- Medical Testing
- Supporting Letters from Treating Providers
SSA List of Impairments
When evaluating your claim, the SSA uses its Blue Book for specific guidance on disabling conditions. This Blue Book contains detailed listings and grouping of medical impairments. Each listing contains a diagnostic framework for the relevant medical condition, the disabling criteria SSA uses to determine the severity of the medical impairment, and the types of medical evidence SSA expects to see before issuing a favorable decision.
Below is a list of common Blue Book categories disability claimants file under:
Working with Disability Lawyers in Winston Salem
The list does not contain every disabling condition that qualifies for disability benefits. If you are living with a medical condition that doesn’t fall into the above categories, you can also qualify for SSDI benefits if you meet the program’s definition of disability.
Working with Collins Price disability lawyers in Winston Salem makes the claims process as easy as possible for you. Below, you can find links to more information about common impairments we see frequently in our practice. Keep in mind, this is not a complete list and we routinely work with claimants with all kinds of impairments.
To discuss your Social Security Disability claim, please schedule a free consultation by calling us at 336-793-9680 (locally in Winston-Salem) or toll free at 1-877-296-1030 (outside Winston-Salem). You can also complete our Contact form at the bottom of this page and we’ll be in touch promptly.
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Inflammatory Arthritis and Gout
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Diabetes
- Diverticulitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Lupus
- Psoriasis
- Schizophrenia
- Vertigo
How Much is Disability in NC?
Unlike workers compensation and other forms of government payment, your SSDI benefits are not determined by the state you live in. There are two major factors that infuence the amount of Social Security disability benefits you receive. These factors include your average lifetime earnings under Social Security, and your current financial situation.
In addition to the above, inflation, cost-of-living estimates, pension-based earnings and other changes to public disability benefits impact the amount of disability benefits. Because of this and because each claimant’s work history is unique, their SSDI benefit amount is different. For 2022, the average SSDI benefit for an individual is $1,358 per month.
In contrast, SSI disability benefits are needs-based and have set maximums. The maximum SSI monthly benefit amount for an eligible individual in 2022 is approximately $841. Eligible couples can receive a maximum monthly payment of $1,261 and essential persons like a caretaker can receive $421. To determine how much you could receive, please use the Social Security Administration’s online benefits calculator.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with Disability Lawyers in Winston-Salem
Claimants who work with a Winston Salem disability lawyer are more successful than those who navigate the process alone. Our experienced and compassionate disability lawyers work with clients at every stage of the process, from initial application to hearing and beyond.
You deserve a Winston-Salem disability lawyer that will fight diligently for you until your claim gets approved. Our Disability Lawyers in Winston-Salem are ready to represent you. Call us today for a free consultation on your claim or complete the form below.
