Social Security Disability/Supplemental Security Income

What is it?

Individuals that pay into the Social Security System in anticipation of receiving retirement benefits. What many people do not know is if they become disabled before retirement age they may be able to collect their benefits early as disability benefits.  Supplemental Security Income benefits are those paid to low wage earners or non-wage earners who are either disabled or who are of retirement age.

If qualified what do you become entitled to?

If you are found to be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits you would be entitled to a monthly Social Security check and cost of living increases as long as you remain disabled.  In addition, two years after the first month of entitlement to monetary benefits you become eligible for Medicare.  If you become eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits you may be entitled to a monthly check.  How much you are entitled to depends upon your economic circumstances.  In addition, when you become eligible for SSI you become eligible for Medicaid.

What to do if you become disabled?

If you have become disabled and are expected to be disabled for twelve months or more you can call the Social Security Administration or call this office for a free consultation.  Please note, most benefits are only paid retroactively one year; therefore a long delay in filing a claim could cost you money. In addition, Supplemental Security Income benefits are only
paid from the date of the application.

What can the Law Office of Richard R. Rowe do for you?

I will assist you in filing the claim, deal with the District Office in providing them with the information they need in order to process the claim as well as with the State Agency that does the medical development of the case, obtain the appropriate medical records from your treating doctors, file a request for a hearing if you were denied at the initial level, attempt to win your case without a hearing with an on the record decision and failing that represent you before an Administrative Law Judge.

How and when does the attorney get paid?

I only get paid if I am successful in your claim.  If I am successful, I receive 25% of your retroactive benefits up to the maximum allowed by the law.  Currently that amount is $6,000.00.  Again it is the lower of either 25% of retroactive benefits or the maximum allowed under the law, not a flat $6,000.00 fee.  If we are successful in the claim the attorney’s fee would be held out of your retroactive benefits and sent directly to this office less a processing fee which I pay.

Helpful link:  You can contact the Social Security Administration directly at www.ssa.gov.