Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are a financial lifeline when health problems rob you of the ability to work and earn a living.
They provide monthly disability income to help you afford basic expenses, and they give you eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid so you can keep taking care of your health.
Most of all, disability benefits improve your sense of security and independence.
But first, you have to get past a series of hurdles. The program makes you absolutely prove that you qualify for benefits. It’s hard to pass the test. Over a recent 10 years of results, two-thirds of applicants were denied.
Social Security will put your SSDI application through FIVE STEPS, each one deciding whether you can go to the next.
But you don’t have to go through this alone. The Tulsa disability lawyers at Troutman & Troutman can support you all the way. Our disability law firm was created to serve Oklahomans dealing with the painful loss of strong health and stable finances.
Maybe you’ve never been through this process before. The Troutman team of Social Security Disability lawyers has over 150 years of combined experience with disability cases.
Contact us anywhere in Oklahoma, including:
Disability Law Is All We Do.
Call Us Now!Here are the questions you must answer to win financial relief from SSDI:
Step #1: Are You Still Working Too Much?
You’re supposed to be unable to work to get Social Security Disability benefits. Working more than a minimal amount means you’re disqualified. Social Security has a term called “substantial gainful activity,” or SGA. Anything more than brief or part-time work will likely hit SGA and sink your benefits claim. But if you’re not working at all, or very little, go on to question #2.
Step #2: Are Your Health Problems Severe?
For Social Security’s purposes, your health impairments must be seriously limiting. (Enough that you can’t work.) So next, they look closer at your medical conditions.
Step #3: Do You Have an Impairment on the Official List?
Social Security keeps a list of impairments that it already agrees can prevent you from working. The list explains the kinds of symptoms you need to document for each ailment and how to document them. If you pass this test, you’ll be awarded benefits at this step. If not, you still have a chance because other illnesses and combinations of illnesses can qualify. Then you go on to question #4.
Step #4: Could You Go Back to a Previous Job?
In deciding SSDI benefits, Social Security looks at your last 15 years of work experience and compares the roles you’ve held with the restrictions on your health. If it looks like you couldn’t do any of those jobs now, onto the last question
Step #5: Could You Do Any Other Work?
They really are strict about awarding disability benefits. Now they’ll look at any jobs out there—maybe lighter jobs—to see if there’s something you can do despite your medical conditions. Your education, skills, and age factor into this decision. If they don’t see other jobs you could do, you’ll win benefits.
You can get informed about whether this process is right for you. Our disability attorneys can provide a personal review of your case—free of charges or obligations.
Get My Free Evaluation!All along this path, having an experienced disability lawyer by your side helps you make it clear to Social Security that you need benefits.
The Troutman Oklahoma disability attorneys handle these tasks for your disability claim, and more:
To get through the disability benefits process, every step of the way, and get to a better situation after health problems destroyed your livelihood, get in touch with the Troutman & Troutman Social Security Disability lawyers.
Contact Us Today!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.
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“Really liked the communication and the way they treated me. They always called me back the same day and answered any questions that I had, and explained everything in a way that I could understand. I used another firm before them, and it was a total 180 from how I was treated and how they made sure that I understood everything. My attorney was so good in the hearing call. And the day before, she really went into detail about what I could expect the next day. I would highly recommend Troutman & Troutman and am so happy with my results.”