Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyers in Greater Clearwater, FL

The Social Security Administration (SSA) lists five basic criteria for determining disability:

•  Are You Working? SSDI for adults is designed for those who have worked and paid into Social Security, but, as of 2021, you cannot have made more than $1,310/month since the onset of your disability.
•  Is Your Condition “Severe”? Are you significantly limited in your ability to do basic work-related activities, including lifting, standing, walking, sitting or remembering—and is this condition likely to last for at least a year?
• Is Your Condition Included in the SSA list of medical conditions? The SSA has developed a detailed list of conditions determined to be sufficiently severe to prevent you from working. Conditions not on the list may still be covered, but you’ll need knowledgeable guidance to establish that.
•  Can You Continue in Your Current Career? You need expert documentation of your symptoms, treatment, and prognosis. This determination is totally up to SSA—and you need to know exactly what evidence will be effective.
• Can You Do Any Other Work? The SSA will investigate your medical condition, age, education, past work experience, and any transferable skills—and if it determines that you can do something else, your claim will be denied.

Filing an initial SSDI claim is easy and can even be done online, but a third of all initial claims are denied. There is, however, an established appeals process—but good legal advice can be crucial to making it work for you:

• Reconsideration: You have the right, within 60 days, to request a reconsideration by the SSA. Although your claim will be examined by different SSA staffers, just over 10% of rejected claims are approved at this point.
• Hearing: The next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (AJL). This is a chance to present all of your evidence again, along with any additional material. Over 50% of all claims are approved at this point, but you need to know how to present an effective case.
• The Appeals Council: The next level is a review by the Social Security Appeals Council (SSCA), which can approve your claim or send it back to the AJL. An additional 10% of claims are successful at this stage.
• Federal Court: If the SSCA decides not to review your case or rules against you, you can still file suit in federal court.

We know how to make an effective SSDI appeal—and we’re committed to fighting for your rights for as long as it takes. You’ve worked your whole life and you deserve fair treatment. We’ll work with you every step of the way, from ensuring that you have complete and correct medical documentation, to getting all the right filings submitted within stringent deadlines, to representing you at every appeal. If you’re eligible for a quick determination on compassionate grounds, we’ll make sure you get it. And we work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you win. The risk is ours, not yours.

If you or a loved one have had an SSDI claim denied unfairly, contact Morgan & Morgan. We are dedicated to always fighting For The People, Not The Powerful.

It costs nothing to hire us, and the initial consultation is always free. Schedule yours today by filling out our free, no-risk case evaluation form.