Port St Lucie Social Security Disability Lawyer

 

30+ years of filing and appealing disability claims in Port St. Lucie

Do you need help filing for Social Security Disability benefits in Port St. Lucie? Or did you recently receive a denial for your Social Security Disability claim in Port St. Lucie?

Don’t lose hope! The Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd are here to help you get the benefits you deserve. Our Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability law firm is available 24/7 to answer your questions, and our disability attorneys offer free, no-obligation case reviews.

 

How can our Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability attorneys help you

Navigating the complexities of the Social Security Disability benefits process can be overwhelming, especially when facing a disability that impacts your ability to work and earn a living. The Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability lawyers at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd have decades of experience helping Port St. Lucie residents through the application process or appeal a denied claim, ensuring you receive the benefits you deserve.

Here’s how we can help you:

1. Initial Application Assistance: Our Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability law firm will help you gather the necessary medical evidence, complete the required forms, and submit a thorough and accurate application for Social Security Disability benefits. We understand the specific criteria used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to evaluate disability claims and will work to present your case in the best possible light.
2. Appeal Representation: If your initial Social Security Disability application is denied, don’t lose hope. Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in Social Security Disability appeals and will advocate vigorously on your behalf. We will carefully review the reasons for the denial, gather additional evidence if necessary, and prepare a compelling appeal to present to an administrative law judge.
3. Administrative Hearings: If your Social Security Disability appeal requires a hearing before an administrative law judge, our attorneys will ensure that you are fully prepared. We will represent you at the hearing, question witnesses, and present evidence to support your claim for benefits. Our goal is to make the process as stress-free as possible for you while maximizing your chances of success.
4. Expedited Processing for Severe Cases: In cases involving severe disabilities or terminal illnesses, our attorneys can request expedited processing of your Social Security Disability claim to ensure that you receive benefits as quickly as possible. We understand the urgency of these situations and will do everything in our power to expedite the process on your behalf.
5. Continued Support and Advocacy: Throughout the Social Security Disability benefits process, our attorneys will provide you with ongoing support and advocacy. We will keep you informed of the status of your claim, answer any questions you may have, and provide personalized guidance every step of the way.

Don’t navigate the Social Security Disability benefits process alone. Let our experienced Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability attorneys guide you to success.

Call our Port St. Lucie Social Security disability law firm today at (772) 344-7770 for a free consultation to discuss your case, or fill out our online contact form to learn more about how we can help you obtain the benefits you need and deserve.

You do not pay for our services if your claim is not approved.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you can’t afford a disability attorney. However, we do not charge a fee unless we win your case and your claim is approved.

If you need help applying for Social Security or Veterans’ Disability benefits or your application was rejected, contact our Port St. Lucie Disability lawyers right away. You can reach our firm 24/7 to schedule a free consultation.

 

When you deserve benefits, don’t accept delays or denials.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are crucial government programs designed to provide financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. This safety net offers a lifeline to those who may have paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes but find themselves unable to work due to a severe medical condition.

However, applying for Social Security benefits can be confusing and complicated. In fact, approximately 70 percent of all Social Security applicants are initially denied due to errors in the application process.

That’s where we can help. Our experienced Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability attorneys have assisted thousands of Treasure Coast residents file for benefits and appeal-denied claims; we won’t give up until you and your family have the compensation you deserve. 

Types of Social Security Disability programs available

There are three main disability benefit programs available through the Social Security Administration. The situation you and your family find yourselves in can affect whether you meet the requirements for the respective program.

SSA officials reviewing applications will expect all requirements to be met, so applying to the correct program for you and documenting everything appropriately is important.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI payments are reserved for disabled individuals who cannot work, who have a limited or nonexistent work history, who have limited assets, and who make less than a set amount of total income per month. In total, someone filing for SSI is expected to have less than $2,000 in assets or $3,000 total for married couples.

SSI income thresholds adjust from year to year. For 2024, the SSI Federal Benefit Rate (FBR) is $943 per month for an eligible individual and $1,415 per month for an eligible couple. For 2024, the amount of earnings that will have no effect on eligibility or benefits for SSI beneficiaries who are students under age 22 is $9,230 a year.

Social Security Disability Insurance

SSDI provides Social Security income to those who have worked long enough to pay their full Social Security contribution through income taxes and payroll withholding. Applicants must be disabled and unable to work.

If they have a dependent spouse or children under 18, they may also be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits. Additionally, anyone who receives SSDI for two years can become eligible for Medicare.

Disabled Widow/Widower Benefits

Disabled widow/widower benefits are intended to assist those whose spouses have passed on and who cannot meet the work requirements of other assistance programs. The surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased prior to his or her passing for at least 9 months, and he or she must be between the ages of 50 and 60 years old.

Additionally, the widow or widower must not be eligible to receive a higher amount of Social Security benefits through other programs.

Understanding eligibility requirements for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Meeting the eligibility requirements for SSDI involves multiple factors. The application process can be challenging, and many applicants face initial denials, but persistence and appropriate documentation can lead to a successful claim.

Understanding these eligibility requirements is the first step in accessing the financial support you may need during a difficult period of disability.

1. You must have sufficient work credits

The primary eligibility requirement for SSDI benefits is having earned sufficient work credits through your employment. Work credits are essentially a measure of your work history and are based on your earnings and the number of years you have worked.

The exact number of work credits required depends on your age at the time you become disabled. In general, you need 40 work credits, with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years leading up to your disability.

If you are relatively young and have not had the opportunity to accumulate 40 work credits, you may still be eligible if you have worked for a shorter period and earned a proportionate number of credits based on your age.

2. You must have a severe medical condition

To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a severe medical condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA). The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a strict definition of disability.

Your condition must be expected to last for at least one year or result in death. It must also significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities, such as walking, sitting, lifting, and concentrating.

The SSA maintains a “Blue Book” that lists various impairments and medical conditions that are considered severe enough to qualify for SSDI benefits. However, having a condition listed in the Blue Book is not the only way to qualify; if your condition is not listed, you can still be eligible if you can demonstrate its severity and impact on your ability to work through medical evidence.

Want to know if your condition is in the SSA Blue Book? Find out here.

3. Your income is below a specified threshold

The SSA evaluates whether you are engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA) when determining your eligibility for SSDI benefits. SGA refers to any work that generates a certain level of income.

If you are earning income above the SGA threshold, you are generally not eligible for SSDI benefits, as the program is intended for individuals who cannot engage in substantial work due to their disability.

The SGA threshold is adjusted annually, so it’s essential to stay informed about the current income limits to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements. For 2023, the SGA limit for someone on SSI is the same as it is for SSDI: $1,470 a month if you’re not blind and $2,460 if you are.

However, since the maximum monthly SSI check is $914 for individuals and $1,371 for couples in 2023, earning above those limits could mean losing SSI benefits.

4. Your disability must be expected to last for at least one year

As mentioned earlier, your disability must be expected to last for at least one year or result in death to be eligible for SSDI benefits. The SSA assesses the duration of your disability when reviewing your application.

5. Your application must be approved

To apply for SSDI benefits, you will need to submit a detailed application to the Social Security Administration. The application process involves providing substantial medical documentation, including medical records, doctor’s reports, and test results, to demonstrate the severity and expected duration of your disability.

It’s important to note that the application process can be complex and time-consuming, and many initial applications are denied. If your application is denied, you have the option to appeal the decision through a multi-level appeals process. 

Appealing a denied SSA claim in Port St. Lucie

Having your SSA disability claim denied doesn’t have to be the final say. You have the legal right to appeal decisions multiple times. By enlisting the help of a Port St. Lucie Social Security disability attorney, you can ensure that your appeal has the information and documentation needed to give it a high chance of success.

Claims that are denied twice can be appealed once more through a hearing with a local administrative law judge. If the hearing still results in a denial, you can ask for a final review from the Social Security Appeals Council.

This Council can choose not to review your case, however. The final option for a denied claim is to file a case through the federal court system.

Get help from an experienced team at Our Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability Law Firm

Dealing with the SSA can be intimidating, and you may feel worried that any mistake you make will prevent you from getting the income you need to survive. Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd wants you to know that you have an ally and an advocate available.

We can be at your side during your application or appeal so that you can improve your chances of successfully obtaining the benefits you need to thrive.

Speak with an experienced team of Port St. Lucie Social Security Disability lawyers during a free, no-obligation consultation to find out more about your options. Schedule your free appointment today by calling (772) 344-7770 or using our convenient form to contact our Port St. Lucie Social Security disability law firm online.