Top Ways You Can Lose Your SSDI Benefits
When someone is struggling with health problems, undercutting their ability to earn an income, even the idea of attempting the maze of paperwork to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits can be overwhelming.
Having a caring, thoughtful family member to help is a godsend—along with a skilled, experienced Social Security Disability lawyer.
At a high-level, you’ll need to show three things about your family member’s situation:
- 1) Their medical condition is the direct reason they can’t work.
- 2) There is no other type of job that they could do.
- 3) They will be unable to work for at least a year.
Social Security has a list of impairments that it recognizes as eligible for disability benefits. It also describes scenarios where your family member’s diagnosis doesn’t fit a label but its impact on their life makes them eligible anyway.
Winning benefits is much more than just telling Social Security your spouse or child is sick.
You will have to gather substantial evidence that includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Medical records, evaluations, and history
- Treatment records
- Lab reports and medical imaging results
- Medications
- Employment, education and work history, if there is any
- Statements from medical professionals
- Statements from people who know your family member well
A Social Security lawyer can do all of this leg work for you, and more.
Start by talking with the Troutman & Troutman Oklahoma disability law team. Tell us your family’s story. We’ll listen and guide you on the next steps. That first consultation comes at no cost to you.
And for a disability lawyer, you don’t pay an attorney fee until you win benefits.
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Can I Get Social Security Disability Benefits as a Caregiver?
When a spouse or a child is sick, they’re not the only ones dealing with life’s challenges. Long-term illness impacts the whole family.
That includes you.
In certain situations, Social Security recognizes the financial burden on caregivers who depend on the income of a family member who’s been sidelined by illness.
Eligible family members include:
- Spouses: If you are over 62 or caring for your spouse’s child who is either under 16 or also has a qualifying disability, you may be able to claim benefits.
- Children: A child under 18 whose parent qualifies for disability benefits can also get dependent benefits.
- Disabled adult children: An adult who develops a disability before age 22 and was never able to work enough to build a Social Security record of their own may qualify under their parent’s Social Security history.
- Divorced spouses: If you were married at least 10 years, haven’t remarried, and cannot receive higher Social Security benefits on your own, you could get benefits under your former spouse’s Social Security record.
Under these limited circumstances, you can receive up to an additional 50% of the amount of your family member’s disability benefits. There is a total family limit, however, of 150 to 180% of what the original benefits recipient gets.
Understanding the moving parts is where a disability lawyer can be a real asset.
At Troutman & Troutman, we don’t treat your case like a widget on an assembly line. We build a relationship with you, keeping you informed and guiding you through every step.
We are here for Oklahomans, and we’ll be there for you to help you build a fuller, more secure life.
Wherever You Are in the Disability Benefits Process, We Can Help
You may be trying to determine if Social Security Disability benefits are right for you. You may be facing a long, complicated benefits application. Or you’ve applied and been denied. Now what? The Troutman & Troutman Oklahoma disability attorneys can help.
Disability Attorneys Answer Your Questions about Social Security
Your life has been disrupted by health problems. You’ve had to leave work. You’re worried about money. Social Security Disability benefits can provide relief, but they’re complicated. You’ve got a lot of questions. The Troutman & Troutman Tulsa disability lawyers have answers.
SSD Questions & Answers »
