Social Security Disability Florida Resources

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, your best resource is an attorney with experience handling these kinds of cases. Attorney Robert C. Alston of the Disability Law Firm has been helping people in Florida with Social Security disability claims for more than 20 years. Our team’s in-depth knowledge of disability law and commitment to customer service make us your ideal partners when applying for Social Security benefits.

Contact us today for a free evaluation.

Where can I find out about impairments that qualify me for Social Security disability?

Many kinds of physical and mental impairments might make you qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a list of qualifying impairments on its website. One list of impairments applies to adults age 18 and over for benefits, and a separate list applies to children under 17.

Together, these lists are referred to as the Blue Book. When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, you will want to consult these lists and specify which impairment applies to your situation. Establishing the severity of the condition and how it affects your ability to work is critical in any Social Security disability claim. This is something attorney Robert C. Alston can help with.

Can I work while receiving Social Security disability payments?

You can often continue receiving Social Security disability benefits for a certain amount of time while you are working. However, your benefits may not continue for more than several months, often no longer than a nine-month trial work period. You can only continue receiving disability benefits if you still have a disability.

If you are worried about whether going back to work makes financial sense for your situation and how it may affect your case, talk to one of the professionals at the Disability Law Firm.

Will my SSD payments stop if I make too much money?

The purpose of Social Security disability benefits is to help people who are disabled and unable to support themselves. This means that if your income is above a certain level, you will not qualify for benefits.

In a 2021 update, the SSA noted that anyone who makes more than $1,310 per month ($2,190 per month for those who are blind) might lose their benefits if they work for more than nine months while receiving benefits.

How long does my injury have to last to receive SSD payments?

Social Security disability benefits help people with long-term or fatal disabilities. For you to receive Social Security benefits, your disability must have already lasted for one year, be expected to last one year, or be expected to result in your death. If you have a short-term disability that is not likely to be fatal, you will not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.

Do I have to go to a specific doctor to diagnose my injury?

Your initial application for disability benefits is handled by your local SSA office and whichever state agency is responsible for making disability determinations. In Florida, your application for disability benefits will be reviewed first by the Division of Disability Determinations under the state Department of Health. As part of the application, the state may require you to undergo a medical examination by a doctor of their choice. If you are worried about not seeing your own doctor for the medical examination, you can get help from a Social Security disability attorney in Florida. Contact the Disability Law Firm now to find out how we can assist.

Can I file for SSD benefits again if my first claim was denied?

You can file an appeal if your initial application for Social Security disability benefits is denied. In fact, most individuals’ first SSD applications are denied. Data from the SSA suggests that the agency denies around 70 percent of initial applications for benefits, though many applicants receive benefits after filing an appeal.

If the SSA denies your initial application for benefits, the first step in the appeals process is to ask for a reconsideration. Should your appeal be denied at this stage, the next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), and it could be more than a year before your case is heard.

If the ALJ denies your application again, you can file an appeal with the SSA Appeals Council. It might be another year before the Appeals Council can hear your case, so be sure to use that time wisely. Lastly, your final option for an appeal is to request a hearing in federal court, which may take another 18 months or so. To avoid having your benefits application held up in lengthy appeals, get help on your initial application from an experienced disability lawyer.

How long do SSD payments last?

As long as your disability is expected to last for one year or result in your death, Social Security disability benefits last for as long as you are disabled or until your death. Depending on the nature of your disability, you could potentially receive benefits for many years after your application is approved.

How can an attorney help me when filing an SSD claim?

An experienced attorney may help improve your chance of having your application for benefits approved and avoiding a lengthy appeals process. Every appeal you need to file means it will take that much longer before you start receiving benefits. By hiring an attorney with experience handling SSD claims, they can help you with your initial application and make sure it is filled out correctly and completely.

Our Florida SSD attorney can also help if your initial claim is denied. We are prepared to represent you in your hearings and help gather whatever additional evidence necessary to help substantiate your claim. Regardless of where you are in the application process, a disability lawyer like ours can make it easier for you.

What is the maximum amount of money I can receive from SSD payments?

The maximum amount a disabled worker and their family can receive in disability benefits is 85 percent of the disabled worker’s Average Indexed Monthly Earnings or AIME. The formula to determine AIME is a bit complicated, though, so talk to an attorney for more information on what your maximum potential benefit might be.

If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits in Florida, the Disability Law Firm is here to help. Contact our office in Dade City today for a free initial consultation.