Thousands of Americans are forced to leave the workforce each year because of a disability, and many have found that applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits on their own can be a confusing and difficult task. For this reason, hiring a qualified Tennessee SSDI attorney to help you apply for SSD benefits is critical. You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you become disabled, and if you can prove to the government that you are disabled and unable to work a full-time job, you may qualify for benefit payments to offset any income you may have lost. Claims for disability benefits can take three to five months to process after you apply, but once it is approved, you will be paid back to the date you first applied, even if your SSD claim is initially rejected. So, if you are physically or mentally unable to work because of a temporary or permanent injury or illness, you may be entitled to benefits through the Social Security Administration (SSA), which you can pursue by hiring an SSDI attorney to represent your case. With the help of our qualified SSDI attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates, you can improve your chances of receiving the Social Security Disability benefits you need.
The Social Security system was designed to protect the injured and those unable to work, and can provide injured or ill individuals with vital SSD benefits. Tennessee SSD benefits are available to individuals who are disabled for a period of 12 months or more, but who have worked and earned income in the past. In addition to meeting the SSA’s definition of disability, individuals applying for SSD benefits in TN must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security work credits necessary to qualify for benefits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. In 2012 for example, you earn one credit for each $1,130 of wages, and once you reach $4,520, you’ve earned the maximum of four credits for the year. The number of work credits you need to qualify for benefits under SSD depends on your age when you become disabled. In general, you need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last ten years, ending with the year you become disabled. Younger workers, however, may qualify with fewer credits.
Those who are eligible for disability benefits can apply to the SSA for help getting by financially until they are able to return to work and begin earning income again. Unfortunately, most initial claims (65%) for SSD benefits are denied by the Social Security Administration. Many of these rejected claims are then accepted upon appeal, which is why it’s imperative that disabled individuals enlist the help of an experienced Tennessee SSDI attorney when applying for disability benefits in TN. With a qualified SSDI lawyer on your side, you can significantly improve the chances of your claim being accepted and receiving SSD benefits from the Social Security Administration.