Some people get confused when they read the rules and are considering applying for Social Security benefits. Let’s just be honest and admit that it can be very confusing. Social Security Disability and SSI are governed by some of the most complex rules and regulations set forth by the federal government. Even people within the Social Security Administration can be confused or give you bad advice when applying for Social Security disability or SSI. This is why we believe that you need an experienced Social Security lawyer to help with your case!
To help understand some of the Social Security rules, we have set forth the following rules and examples. The rules state, “to be eligible for Social Security benefits, the claimant must be disabled for 12 months or expect to be disabled for 12 months, or have a condition expected to end in death”. This rule does not mean that you have to be off work for 12 months before you apply for Social Security benefits. It does not mean that you had to have your condition for a period of 12 months. It simply means that whatever is keeping you from working right now should be expected to last at least one year. For example, if a claimant is diagnosed with preeclampsia while pregnant, the Social Security will assume that your condition will return to normal as soon as you give birth and therefore you would not be entitled to Social Security benefits. So if you have a severe medical impairment that is preventing you from working and you do not expect a dramatic improvement within a year, or your doctor has told you that you will be unable to work for at least a year, go ahead and apply for Social Security benefits and use an experienced Montgomery Social Security lawyer. Another common example of the durational issue is this: a client has uncontrolled diabetes and has a toe amputated. Because of the uncontrolled diabetes, the toe does not heal as would be expected from an otherwise healthy adult. This person should apply for Social Security benefits. Finally, and sadly, if you have a condition that is likely to result in your death within the next year, and if its supported by medical documentation, then you should immediately apply for benefits.
Come and see The Sellers Law Firm now to let us file your application and let us pursue your case. If a 12 month period passes and then you improve, you can be awarded a “closed period” for benefits. This means, you will receive payment for the 12 months or more that you were unable to work, including health insurance for that period of time, but then “close” the benefits as of the date in which your conditions improved and you are able to return to your employment.
The simple rule is this: If you are unable to work, immediately consult with one of the Montgomery Social Security lawyers at The Sellers Law Firm to see whether or not you should apply for Social Security benefits. The call is free and you have nothing to lose! It’s better to make the call and find out that you should not apply, than to not make the call and find out after it’s too late that you should have applied. All of our consultations are free, and we invite you to get the opinion of an experienced, knowledgeable disability attorney about your case.
The attorneys at The Sellers Law Firm are here to help you! For years we were asked, “Why don’t you have an office near me?” To answer the “near me question, we created four locations near you! We are located in Montgomery, Selma, Greenville, and Troy. We want to be your Montgomery Social Security lawyer so call us today at 334-LAWYERS (334-529-9377) an appointment to meet our team; you may email us at bsellers@sellerslawfirm.com or use the “text us” link or Contact Form on our website. Remember that doing nothing changes nothing so act today! All consultations are always free!