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Social Security Disability

• Healthcare Clinics in NC with free service
• Free Clinics in Forsyth County
• Form SSA 3381
• Form SSA 827
• Form SSA 561

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"I was trying to do it by myself for about 7 months before I finally realized that my employeer was taking advantage of me."

"I will always be grateful to Thomas Clare and OTP law and I highly recommend them to anyone who has an injury and needs an attorney."

"Eric Richardson and Shelby Kernodle were wonderful to me!
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"This was my first time ever needing help from a lawyer.  I can see why you were highly recommended to me."

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"My family and I really appreciate all you have done for us."

"Great negotiators!"

"I found Oxner Thomas + Permar just by doing a Google search.  I learned so much in your free book, and I was so glad that you could represent me in my case."

"One word describes you: professional!"

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Social Security Disability

Are you disabled and unable to work?  If so, you may be eligible for support through the Social Security/disability system.  You’ve paid your Social Security taxes all of your working life, and you’re entitled to get paid benefits when you’re disabled.  Every year, when you get your annual statement, there’s a line that tells you how much you would receive in case of disability. 

You hoped that this would never apply to you.  But now things are different.  You rightfully expect that Social Security would come through for you in this time of need.  It seems straightforward enough. Get a claim form, file it, and start receiving checks.  No attorney, lawyer, or other legal advice required.

We wish it were that easy.  Unfortunately, you’re in for a very rude awakening:

The system that has been set up to help you is very badly flawed.  Instead of providing relief to disabled citizens like you, just as it promises in all those statements, the Social Security system seems rigged against them, making it almost impossible for disabled people to get the support they so desperately need.

Approximately 70% of all initial claims are denied, and the denial rates for appeals are even higher.  If that weren’t bad enough, the people who file for disability payments, people, who need the money desperately, are forced to wait, and wait, and wait...

The process from start to finish can take several years!

If you are disabled and no longer have a source of income, what are you supposed to do while you’re waiting, year after year, for your claim to be resolved?  The Social Security system doesn’t have much of an answer.  It almost seems as if they hope you’ll starve to death so they won’t have to pay you. Individuals with seemingly obvious disability claims due to diabetes, back injuries, cancer, stroke, heart failure, obesity, joint replacement, and other serious medical problems are denied every day.

In order to forestall economic disaster, it is absolutely crucial that you learn as much as possible about how the system works and file your claim correctly:

First of all, and most crucially, you must file your claim as soon as possible, considering the long timeline.  You must file it properly so that your chances at success are maximized.

And last, but certainly not least, you must include any and all supportive materials, especially medical records.  If you don’t, your claim will be denied 100% of the time.

There is more, of course, including the exact form the medical records and statements should take to maximize your chances at a positive outcome.

Moreover, there are many areas where someone who really knows the system can help.  What exactly qualifies as a disability?  How soon can you file?  What do you need to file?  Can you work while you’re waiting for your claim to be resolved – without getting disqualified?  Where can you get help in the meantime?  How does Social Security disability relate to SSI? 

There are so many questions, so many potential traps that, if not handled properly, could delay the successful resolution of your claim, or even sabotage it altogether.

How can you improve your odds?  You need legal advice from a lawyer who tells you the truth. Get help from an attorney you can trust.  And where would you find a lawyer who meets both those requirements?

If you live in North Carolina, you’ll find your attorney at Oxner, Thomas + Permar, PLLC.  We have offices in Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Burlington, Raleigh, Charlotte, Hickory, Fayetteville and Asheboro, so no matter where you live in North Carolina, help is nearby.

We have a long track record of helping people in your situation.  If you are disabled, we invite you to visit us for a free consultation.  Just call us at 1-866-622-6671 to set up a time that works for you. 

And there’s no need to be concerned about cost.  We work on a contingency basis:  We get paid when you get paid – with a percentage of what you’ll receive in back payments.  While there are never any guarantees, especially with a system so rigged against those it is supposed to help, we have an excellent record of helping our clients. 

Being disabled is hard enough.  You shouldn’t have to worry about how to pay for your housing and living expenses, let alone doctor’s bills.   Let us help you get the Social Security disability payments you deserve, and get them as soon as legally possible.

Blog for Social Security Disability

• Update on the SSA Using Electronic Medical Records
• Apply for SSD On Your Computer
• Disability Claims Processing Data
• GAO Follows SSA's Efforts to End Hearings Delays
• Fixing a Broken Mental Health System
• America's Best Hospitals
• Hospitals in NC
• No Cost of Living Increase for Social Security Benefits
• Preparing for a Hearing
• Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Added to Compassionate Allowance List
• Claims for Disability Continue to Take More Time
• SSD, SSI Benefits and Same Sex Marriages
• State DDS Jobs Should Be Secure
• SSD and Workers Comp in Utah
• Understanding SSA Denial Paperwork
• Winston-Salem Company Offers Hope for Chronic Back Pain Sufferers
• Inclusive Health: A New Healthcare Plan
• Workers Comp and SSD - Why not in NC?
• New way to diagnosis Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?
• Social Security Disability backlogs exist nationally
• Social Security to Start Gathering Medical Records Electronically
• Medicare to Pay For Telemedicine
• Spinal Fusion in Pictures
• A New Insurance Product For Tough Times
• Is Social Security Going Digital?
• Medicare's Benefits Not Always Obvious
• Medicare is Important This Time of Year
• New President's Plan on Disabilities
• One year later, Social Security still doesn't get it.
• Unfortunately, high unemployment rates do not translate into higher disability approval rates.
• Largest Private Disability Insurer Found Fraudulent
• Social Security Administration adds Compassionate Allowances

Library for Social Security Disability:

• Form HA 501 [PDF]   
  Description: Request for Hearing
• Form SSA 3441 [PDF]   
  Description: Disability Report Appeal
• Form SSA 561 [PDF]   
  Description: Request for Reconsideration
• Form SSA 827 [PDF]   
  Description: Medical Authorization for SSA
• Form SSA 3381 [PDF]   
  Description: Medical and Job Worksheet
• Free Clinics in Forsyth County   
  Description: Healthcare clinics in Forsyth County
• Healthcare Clinics in NC with free service   
  Description: Note: some counties do not offer free clinic service
• What People Applying For Disability Need To Know   
  Description: Social security claimants face long waits and family hardship as they wait for their disability claims to be reviewed. There are several ways to apply, including on line or over the telephone, but no system is quick and easy.
• What on Earth is a Workers' Compensation Offset? [PDF]   
  Description: What happens when you are drawing workers' compensation benefits and also social security disability benefits? How can a lawyer help you get the best settlement in workers' compensation and also increase the amount you get each month from Social Security?
• Five Social Security Disability Tips   
  Description: If you read only one article on Social Security Disability read this one (or read this one first).

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Frequent Questions for Social Security Disability:

• I was granted disability benefits at the hearing level, but I was wondering how long it will take for me to get a check.  My lawyer says I won, but I would like to know more about the timing.
• I have a terminal illness and was told that I can get Social Security benefits.  Is this correct?
• Will I get more money if my disability gets worse?  Should I reapply at that time?
• What happens to my Disability benefits when I reach retirement age?
• Can I continue to receive benefits if I go back to work?
• What can you tell me about an Expedited Reinstatement (EXR)?
• Do I qualify for SSD since I am partially disabled?
• If I am awarded disability benefits, how long will I receive them?
• How do I document my disability?  What does that mean?
• My SSD claim was denied.  How long do I have to make an appeal?
• Who decides how much money I'll be able to get in Social Security benefits?  Is it based on my type of disability?
• Since it often takes so long to get approved for Disability benefits, can I get them paid out to me retroactively once I'm approved?
• What is date last insured (DLI)?
  
• What can I do on-line on my computer with Social Security Disability?
• I was disabled and unable to work for a few years, but I didn't file for disability benefits.  I am healthy and working again now.  Can I attempt to get disability payments for the time period I couldn't work?
• Not only am I disabled, but I also have a terminal illness that prevents me from being able to work.  Can I still get disability benefits?
• Can you tell me more about Compassionate Allowance?
• If I get disabled and already have private disability insurance, will that reduce my SSD payment benefits?
• What is a bench decision?
• Can creditors get any part of my Social Security Disability benefits?
• I've been told that I can only do sedentary work because of my disability.  What does that mean?  Will I not get SSD benefits?
• How do I know if the Social Security Administration will consider my specific disease as a disability?
• What does a Vocational Expert do for my case and who hires one?
• I received a notice that although I am currently getting SSD benefits, I will soon need to participate in a Continuing Disability Review.  What does that mean and should I be concerned?
• What is a SSI Redetermination?
• Can I claim Social Security Disability benefits since I have fibromyalgia and am unable to earn a living?
• As an unemployed recipient of SSD benefits, can I still get a reduction on my COBRA health insurance premiums?
• If a person has a drug addiction or a problem with alcohol, can he or she still get SSD benefits?
• What can you tell me about an Unsuccessful Work Attempt (UWA)?
• What can I expect at my first meeting with my attorney?
• What does my old job’s skill level have to do with me being approved for disability?
• What is a disability?
• How does the SSA evaluate mental impairments?
• How does the SSA define work activity?
• What is Residual Functional Capacity?
• What is a medical expert?
• I receive SSD benefits.  Should I get the one-time $250 stimulus check from the government this year?
• Does my age help or hurt my application for SSD?
• Can I only get Social Security  Disability if I have paid into the Social Security system?
• What determines if I have a hearing with a judge face to face or if it's a video hearing where we're not even in the same room or town?
• Should I apply for Social Security Disability benefits if I have never been able to work?
• What is SSI?
• In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, do I need to have had a work-related injury?
• How can I find the nearest Social Security office so I can file my claim?
• Will going back to work for one day wreck my social security claim?
• What will happen to my SSD claim if I die before it is settled?
• In order to get Social Security Disability, do I have to be permanently disabled?
• I am currently using sick leave while I'm unable to work.  Do I need to wait until my sick time is up before I file for Social Security Disability?

• How does a person apply for Social Security Disability?

• How do you appeal when an application is denied?

• How do you appeal a denied Reconsideration?
• What happens at a hearing?
• Can I get Social Security Disability benefits and Workers’ Compensation benefits at the same time?
• If I am entitled to Social Security disability benefits and I settle my workers’ compensation claim so that I stop receiving weekly workers’ compensation benefits, do I need to report this change to the Social Security Administration?
• If I am currently getting a workers’ compensation check, doesn’t that show that I am disabled and I should get Social Security disability?
• I still have an open Workers’ Compensation claim and I am also on Social Security Disability. I also have Medicare. Can I just settle my Workers’ Compensation claim and use Medicare to pay for my work injuries?
• If I am not going to draw a full Social Security disability check while I collect weekly Workers’ Compensation benefits, should I still consider applying for Social Security disability?
• Is it easy to apply for Social Security Disability?
• Should my Workers’ Compensation settlement agreement include any special language?