Are You Unable to Work? Ask Our Social Security Disability Lawyer in Media, PA What Benefits You May Be Entitled to Under the Law
During our lives, we will get injured, sick, or have an ailment. That is entirely normal. Luckily, most of these injuries or illnesses are temporary and allow us to return to work after a few days or weeks. But what if you sustained an injury or illness that prevented you from returning to work? What if you were nowhere near being ready to retire? Some severe illnesses or injuries could make it hard for you to support yourself and your family. When this happens, you should call an experienced social security disability lawyer in Media, PA, because you may be entitled to social security disability benefits.
With over 40 years of representing individuals and their families in social security claims and personal injury lawsuits, Silver & Silver is the experienced social security disability lawyer you should be calling for help if an unexpected injury or illness keeps you from work. Our law firm was one of the first in our area to focus on social security claims, pioneering the way lawyers in Pennsylvania handled and treated SSI/SSDI claims. We have a comprehensive knowledge of both social security law, Pennsylvania law, and also medicine and anatomy to help explain your injuries and disability to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to ensure you obtain the benefits you deserve.
Services We Provide
Our social security disability lawyers in Media, PA offer individuals seeking social security benefits many services, including the following:
- Submitting the initial application (including gathering all documents and support necessary)
- Working with the SSA on document requests
- Using your treating physicians or experts to help prove your correct level of disability
- Filing appeals and legal memoranda to support your position
- Preparing and representing you at a disability hearing in front of an ALJ
- Handling an appeal at the Appeals Council
- Ensuring you receive the full amount of benefits you are entitled to, including retroactive benefits, and
- Handling all other aspects of a social security claim in Pennsylvania.
What Benefits May You Be Entitled To?
If you have been disabled and unable to work, you may be entitled to one or both types of social security benefits. It is essential to know the difference between these benefits as one pays higher than the other, and applying for the correct kind can mean your application will be processed quicker and benefits paid faster.
Social Security Income (SSI)
Individuals with disabilities who have limited income and resources may be entitled to social security income or SSI. This is the default one that most people are entitled to. In order to be eligible for SSI, an individual must:
- Have limited income and limited or no resources, AND
- Either any of these:
- a) be over 65 years of age
- b) be blind (no age limit)
- c) be disabled (no age limit)
SSI pays a modest amount that can help individuals and families pay for bills or rent. Oftentimes it is paired with other local or state benefits which help pay for food or housing. While our social security disability lawyer in Media, PA, knows that SSI may not completely cover all of your expenses, it can mean the difference between staying in your home and eviction.
Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
Individuals who are disabled and have a work history may be entitled to social security disability income or SSDI. This benefit pays more than SSI because an individual has “paid into it” through their work history. Therefore, social security law offers more significant benefits amounts.
In order to be eligible to receive SSDI, an individual must have a disability and meet the work history requirement of having “40 credits.” The credit system can be a complicated system to understand, especially if you have been injured or are ill. This is why any individual who has worked for any period of time over their lives, even if they only have ten years of work experience, should contact an experienced social security disability lawyer in Media, PA, to learn what their rights to benefits may be under the law.
Silver & Silver Can Help File SSI/SSDI Applications, Appeals, and Represent You
While the social security benefits system is laudable, it can fail in making it easier and quicker for individuals to receive compensation by applying on their own. Having an experienced law firm like Silver & Silver can ensure that your claim is processed in a more efficient and timely manner which means you will get benefits faster. Whether you have already applied and were denied, or applying for the first time, call us by dialing 610-638-7255 or send us a message with our “contact us” box available here. We offer FREE consultations to advise what your rights may be under the law.