Loris Social Security Disability Lawyer

Loris Social Security Disability Attorney

For most people in the workforce, their job and income are essential to supporting themselves, their way of life, and their family. When an injury or illness prevents an employee from continuing to work, their entire life can be impacted. If you can’t work due to a disabling or severe condition, Social Security compensation and disability benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be the answer to keep you financially stable. Unfortunately, the process of applying for these benefits can often be complex, and approval isn’t easy. A Social Security disability attorney in Loris, SC can improve the chances of application approval by helping you gather evidence of your condition and preventing common mistakes.

Axelrod & Associates: Loris Social Security Disability Benefits Attorneys

If you are disabled and not able to work, you could qualify for Social Security benefits and be unaware of it. A lawyer can not only help you with every step of the application process, but they can review your injury and circumstances to determine what various financial benefits you could receive. Applying for benefits can be a frustrating process, and any mistakes on an application can result in a denial and months of delays. Even accurate applications from individuals who need and qualify for benefits often get denied.

The attorneys at Axelrod & Associates can help you improve your chances of approval while gathering essential medical information and documentation to establish your injury or disability. If your initial application is denied, we can help you file for an appeal, and we can determine if you should receive back pay, and how much, once it is approved. We want to help you navigate the application process to get the benefits you need to support yourself.

Understanding Social Security Benefits

The main two types of Social Security benefits are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), also called Social Security disability (SSD) benefits.

SSDI is for employees who have registered enough work credits, have paid SSA taxes during their employment, and are made unable to work due to an injury or disability. SSDI may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the disability.

If an individual does not qualify for SSDI, there may be other options. An individual can qualify for SSI benefits if they were disabled or injured prior to working at all or were unable to earn sufficient work credits to qualify for SSDI.

What Qualifies an Employee for Disability Benefits?

There are specific qualifications an employee must meet to receive disability benefits in South Carolina. These include:

1. Being a resident of South Carolina
2. Being under the retirement age of 65
3. Paying Social Security taxes for at least 10 years, not including those who have been severely disabled and were unable to work for most of their lives
4. Having an injury, disability, illness, or other condition that either qualifies as severely disabling according to the SSA definition or is on the list of SSA disabling conditions
5. Being unable to complete basic work tasks or find employment in the same field due to the condition
6. Having a condition that is expected to last for at least 12 months or will be fatal

Your attorney can determine if you meet the requirements and if the 10-year tax-paying requirement can be waived in your unique situation.

A severe qualifying condition may be any number of disabilities or injuries that prevent you from working. Conditions on the SSA’s qualifying condition list include:

• Spinal disorders
• Asthma and other respiratory diseases
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cancer
• Severe mental illness
• Chronic liver disease
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Skin disorders
• Chronic heart failure
• Cerebral palsy
• Immune system disorders

There are many disabling conditions listed by the SSA, and you may qualify for benefits even if your disability is not listed. An attorney can provide advice specific to your circumstances.

FAQs

Q: Is It Hard to Get Disability in South Carolina?

A: In 2020, the average approval rate of initial disability benefits applications in South Carolina was 43.9%. This can be disheartening for many applicants, but know that the initial application is not the only step available. The decision can be appealed, and you can also have a hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). Working with a qualified attorney makes your application more likely to succeed and can also make the process more efficient.

Q: Which Is the Hardest State to Get Disability In?

A: The state with the lowest approval rating in 2020 was Oklahoma, with a rating of 33.4%. This was followed by Arizona, with a 37.1% approval rating, and Mississippi, with 38.5%. South Carolina sits as the 33^rd-ranked state, with an approval rating of 43.9%. Although it may be harder to get approval for an initial application in these states, that doesn’t make it impossible. States will also have different approval ratings for appeals and hearings, and an attorney can help you through all these steps.

Q: How Many Years Can You Go Back for Back Pay for SSI?

A: For SSI, back pay extends to the date when the application was filed. Unlike SSDI, there is no waiting period to receive benefits, but there are also no retroactive benefits for SSI. SSDI back pay goes back to the date when a disabling condition or injury prevented you from working, but SSI does not. SSI only includes back pay from when the application was made, but there is no set limit for back pay other than this date.

Q: Does Everyone Get Back Pay for Disability?

A: Not every individual who qualifies for disability benefits receives back pay, but a majority do. Often, there is a significant amount of time between applying for benefits, or the onset of your condition, and the day your application is approved. The SSA provides back pay for the time you should have rightfully received benefits and did not. Be aware that you do not get back pay for the 5-month mandatory waiting period, but any time after that, while you are waiting for approval, qualifies for back pay.

Contact Axelrod & Associates

A strong disability benefits application requires clear proof of disability or injury, including testimony from medical professionals and healthcare records. At Axelrod & Associates, we have worked for years to help individuals in our community retain the benefits they deserve. Contact us today and see how we can help prove that you need financial support and expedite your application.