Social Security Disability Benefits Lawyer In Florida

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 5,003,997 adults in Florida have a disability.

This means about 29% or 1 in 4 adults in Florida have a condition that affects their ability to do certain activities.

If you have an illness or injury that stops you from working, you might be eligible for disability benefits in Florida.

Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be really tough, especially when you’re dealing with health issues.

Note: The Figure highlights the Percentage of adults in Florida with functional disability types.

Our experienced lawyers are here to help you with all the details, protect your rights, and secure the benefits you deserve, giving you peace of mind.

We understand how to work with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and will keep you informed every step of the way.

After a free initial case review, we’ll make sure your application is complete, gather your medical evidence, handle any appeals if your application is denied (which happens to over 60% initially), and represent you at disability hearings.

While you don’t need a lawyer to apply, working with a caring and knowledgeable social security disability lawyer can greatly increase your chances of success.

Which Disabilities Were Awarded Benefits More Regularly?

Some of the disabilities for which people in Florida can apply for disability benefits are:

Beneficiaries of SSD Benefits

Old-Age (retirement), Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI), commonly known as Social Security, offers monthly payments to eligible workers and their families.

These benefits are provided when a worker chooses to start receiving retirement payments, or if the worker passes away or becomes disabled.

The amount of benefits a person receives is mostly based on their total earnings over their working life.

According to Florida Congressional Statistics, 2021 –

Beneficiaries:

Total: 4,909,642
Retired workers: 3,720,938
Disabled workers: 520,045
Widow(er)s and parents: 267,242
Spouses: 153,925
Children: 247,492

Total Monthly Benefits:

All beneficiaries: 7,577,221
Retired workers: 6,132,177
Widow(er)s and parents: 407,320

Number of beneficiaries aged 65 or older:

3,928,082

If you’re having difficulty getting your Social Security Disability benefits in Florida, we can assist you.

Contact us today for a free consultation with our Florida Social Security Disability attorneys. Our experienced Florida SSD lawyers are here to help you get the money you deserve.

How to Seek SSD Benefits?

You can apply for disability benefits from the SSA through two programs:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI):

Disability + sufficient work credits

This program is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security for at least half of the last 10 years. If you qualify for SSDI, your children may also receive benefits.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

Age 65 or above OR Disability + limited resources or income (or none at all)

This program helps older individuals and people with disabilities who have limited income and resources. SSI is for those with financial need, so you must prove that you meet specific financial requirements to qualify. However, SSI lawyers in Florida can help in claiming the benefits.

Eligibility for Social Security Benefits in Florida

Filing for disability in Florida can be straightforward, but it’s important to check if you’re eligible for Social Security Disability benefits before you start. To qualify, you need to:

Have paid into Social Security through work for a specific period of time.
Have a medical condition that fits Social Security’s definition of disability.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, reach out to our office to talk with our Florida Social Security Disability attorneys.

Duration of SSDI Benefits

It’s important to know that Social Security Disability payments won’t stop if you have severe and permanent disabilities.

In this case, you’ll keep getting these payments until you reach retirement age. After that, the payments will change to retirement benefits, which you will receive for the rest of your life.

To decide this, if you’re approved for benefits, your case will be placed into one of the following categories:

Medical Improvement Expected (MIE):

The SSA thinks your condition might get better, so they’ll check on you again in about 6 to 18 months. If your condition has improved and you can return to work, your benefits will stop. If not, they’ll keep checking until you’re able to work.

Medical Improvement Possible (MIP):

The SSA believes your condition could improve, but they’re not sure. They’ll review your case at least once every three years. These reviews will continue until you can return to work if that happens.

Medical Improvement Not Expected (MINE):

The SSA doesn’t expect your condition to improve and thinks it might even get worse over time. Because of this, they’ll check on your case less often, typically every 5 to 7 years.

Trust Our SSD Benefits Lawyer To Simplify The Application Process!

Lawyers are crucial for a number of reasons. Not only do lawyers improve your likelihood of approval, but they also help to streamline the process. Any mistake a disability applicant makes can complicate and slow the process. With an attorney, you can minimize such mistakes and get your benefits approved much more quickly.

Although it is not guaranteed, approval is certainly more likely if you have an attorney at your side. Florida Social Security Disability attorneys can be helpful in many ways. Whereas other states provide short-term disability benefits, Florida does not.

These benefits are typically awarded to those who are injured or sick and unable to work. In Florida, a worker’s best alternative is to use disability insurance through an employer. Without this insurance program, workers basically only have one option. This option is to pursue benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA). As of now, the SSA offers two programs for disabled individuals.

These two programs are the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Florida Disability Lawyers can assist you in finding the program right for you. Occasionally, an applicant may qualify for benefits under both programs.

SSDI is administered to disabled recipients with sufficient work histories. Meanwhile, SSI is administered to recipients of limited means. SSI recipients do not need to have worked for a particular period of time.

In addition to the aforementioned medical documentation, you may also need extensive information to prove that you are not engaging in SGA. The term, substantial gainful activity (SGA), refers to a minimum monthly earning amount. This amount is associated with certain work capacity and ability. The rationale is that if you are capable of earning such an amount, you will not be deemed to be disabled.

The Social Security Act allows a higher SGA amount for blind individuals than for non-blind individuals. As of 2022, a blind individual can make up to $2260 monthly. For non-blind individuals, the SGA amount is $1350 monthly.

Your Florida Social Security Administration attorney can assist you in proving all of these aspects. When you are applying for disability in Florida, it is vital that you and your attorney review all of your information. Feel free to obtain supplemental medical and work information as well. Do not assume that you are disabled simply because you have trouble working.

In many cases, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will rely on its “blue book.” This extensive listing features many common disabling conditions that affect Social Security recipients. However, many applicants for Social Security have conditions that aren’t listed.

If you do not have a listed condition, you will have to further prove the extent of your impairment(s). The best Social Security disability attorney will help you do this.

If you need help with Disability in Florida, you need the Nationwide Disability Representatives. Our team focuses extensively on SSDI and SSI cases. We handle both applications and denials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I get a lawyer for Social Security Disability?

It is a good idea to get a lawyer when applying for Social Security Disability. A lawyer can help you navigate the complex application process and gather and organize medical evidence. Further, they represent you in hearings when your application is denied.

Can I still work while applying for disability?

You can work when applying for disability, but there are some strict income limits. The Social Security Administration has guidelines for “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). It is the amount you can earn and the quality of the disability benefits.

How to collect disability?

If you want to collect disability benefits, you need to apply through the Social Security Administration. The process is all about filling out an application, submitting medical records and other evidence of your disability, and possibly attending a hearing.

When should you apply for disability?

You should apply for disability as soon as you become disabled and unable to work. The application process can take months, so it is important to start as early as possible.

Social Security Disability Lawyer in Florida