by Staff Blogger | September 26th, 2018
For your entire working life, you’ve paid into the Social Security Administration (SSA) via payroll deductions. For most people, those deductions are paid back when they retire. But for others, that money is needed sooner due to illnesses or injuries that prevent them from being able to work.
If you can’t work because of a disability, getting approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits may be the most important thing you can do. Although the benefits won’t fully replace your lost income, they can help you keep up with your living expenses and provide for your family.
Unfortunately, getting approved for benefits is often a long and difficult process—especially if you don’t have a lawyer on your side. That’s because the burden of proof falls on the applicant, and the SSA has strict standards when it comes to approving claims and appeals. Even minor mistakes are often enough for the SSA to issue denials, and it can take months for applicants to hear back or begin the appeals process.
Having an experienced Nashville Social Security Disability lawyer on your side from day one can make the process much simpler. In addition to taking the stress of the application or appeal off your shoulders, you’ll also get peace of mind knowing that your paperwork will be complete, free of errors, and submitted on time. Finally, you’ll have access to a legal team that knows the ins-and-outs of the SSA’s inner workings, and that means your application may be processed faster and with a greater chance of success.
Call Ponce Law today for a free consultation, and let us put our experience to work for you.
by Staff Blogger | May 23rd, 2018
Losing your ability to work at any point during your career due to an illness or injury can be devastating for you and your loved ones.
You count on your paychecks to pay bills and keep your family fed, clothed, and sheltered, and when you lose those paychecks, everything you’ve worked hard to build may feel like it’s in jeopardy.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows people with illnesses or injuries that prevent them from working to pursue Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits that serve as a replacement for their lost income. Another form of income replacement is disability insurance, which also kicks in when people can’t work due to limitations.
Although both types of benefits are similar on the surface, they have two distinct differences:
- SSD benefits are paid via your paycheck deductions, while disability insurance is purchased. All workers in the U.S. pay into the SSA via their paychecks, and when they get hurt or retire, they’re eligible to receive some of that money. Disability insurance, however, is voluntary and purchased privately, and it only kicks in if the recipient becomes unable to work.
- SSD benefits can last until retirement age, but disability insurance varies. People who receive SSD benefits must undergo frequent eligibility reviews, but they may continue receiving benefits until they reach retirement age if they’re still unable to work. Disability insurance may be paid out on a short-term or long-term basis depending on the type of insurance that the policyholder purchased.
The SSA and its requirements for receiving SSD benefits are complicated, and it’s helpful to have an experienced legal team on your side when you’re pursuing the money you need when you’re unable to work.
Call the Nashville Social Security Disability lawyers at Ponce Law today for a free consultation—we’re here to help.
by Staff Blogger | March 14th, 2018
If you were hurt or injured on the job, being unable to return to work can put enormous stress on you and your family—especially if you were the primary income earner for your household. Thankfully, American workers are eligible to receive a percentage of their incomes when they can’t go back to work through Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits.
SSD benefits are paid out to eligible employees after they’ve worked for a certain amount of time and paid enough money into the system, which is controlled by the Social Security Administration (SSA). When workers who are injured or ill file for SSD benefits, the SSA can either approve or deny their claims, and those who are approved may receive a percentage of their incomes to assist with their living expenses.
How much do recipients earn? The amount can vary depending on multiple factors, including:
- Your earnings history – The SSA calculates the amount it pays to SSD recipients via a formula called average indexed monthly earnings. This formula is calculated by factoring in the amount of money you’ve earned over a period of several years. The maximum monthly benefit for SSD recipients is $2,788.
- Your secondary replacement income – If you also receive workers’ compensation benefits or temporary state disability benefits, your SSD benefits will be reduced proportionately. However, disability benefits from private insurance policies don’t affect SSD payments.
Got additional questions or concerns about SSD benefits, including the application and appeals process? Call our Nashville Social Security Disability Lawyers today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | December 18th, 2017
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be a life-saving source of income for sick or injured workers who are unable to do their jobs or return to work. Everyone pays into the Social Security Administration (SSA) with every paycheck they earn. Although most people get some of that money back when they retire, others may need it earlier due to serious injuries or illnesses.
But in order to prevent too many people from acquiring SSD benefits, the SSA has set up many strict requirements and guidelines that must be met before applicants are approved. Unfortunately, that strict process often leads to the denial of many qualified and deserving applicants.
Ponce Law’s team of Nashville Social Security Disability Lawyers knows how the SSA receives, reviews, and approves applications, and we know what must be done to fast-track the process and improve your chances of being approved. However, we also know that many claims are jeopardized even before the application process begins.
If you’re considering filing an SSD claim, be sure to not make these common mistakes:
- Waiting too long to file a claim – SSD benefits aren’t retroactive. That means every month you go without them is another month that you aren’t getting the money your family needs.
- Not following your doctor’s orders – The SSA wants SSD recipients to be able to return to work as soon as possible. Applicants who are inconsistent with or fail to follow their doctors’ orders are often denied.
Another common mistake is failing to call a lawyer. The SSD application and appeals processes can be hard to navigate without experienced help. Don’t go it alone. Call us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 30th, 2017
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is supposed to pay workers back when they retire or are prevented from working because of an injury. After all, the SSA takes money out of every U.S. worker’s paychecks for their entire working lives.
In order to minimize fraudulent claims, the SSA has adopted a rigorous review process for approving claims for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. That rigorous process keeps the system honest, but it also means that some people slip through the cracks and are denied the benefits they deserve.
If your SSD benefits claim was rejected, you may be wondering why and what your options are. At Ponce Law, our Nashville Social Security Disability lawyers know the SSA’s process inside and out, and we know that claims are denied for three common reasons:
- There isn’t sufficient evidence of your injury or treatments. The most important aspect of an SSD benefits claim is proving the injury is real. If the SSA believes your injury never happened due to lack of medical and treatment records, they may have denied your claim.
- The SSA believes your disability will improve or resolve. SSD benefits are only available to workers whose injuries will prevent them from returning to their jobs for at least one year. Claims are often denied if the SSA believes the disability is minor or temporary and will last for less than 365 days.
- You didn’t follow all the SSA’s requests. The SSA has strict requirements for SSD benefits applicants. If your paperwork was missing, incomplete, or inaccurate, or if you didn’t attend medical examinations when asked, your chances of receiving benefits may have been jeopardized.
Because there can be a lot of red tape and potential pitfalls when filing an SSD benefits claim or appeal, it’s important to have an experienced legal team on your side that knows how the SSA processes and approves claims. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | August 21st, 2017
The Social Security Administration (SSA) deducts money from every paycheck you earn. That money is supposed to be paid back when you retire or if you become disabled and can no longer work. Around 60 million Americans receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, but many of those recipients had their initial claims denied.
The SSA denies claims for a variety of reasons, including lack of evidence that an applicant is disabled and can’t work or the belief that the applicant’s condition will improve and that they will be able to return to work soon.
It’s difficult to successfully file or appeal an SSD benefits claim on your own. At Ponce Law, our Nashville Social Security Disability lawyers help people like you by:
- Taking care of technicalities that can jeopardize your application or appeal – To prevent abuse or false claims, the SSA puts a heavy burden of proof on applicants and people who appeal their decisions. Unfortunately, the extra red tape means that valid claims fall through the cracks and get rejected. We’ll make sure the SSA gets all the evidence and paperwork it needs on time.
- Streamlining the application or appeal process – Our legal team has handled many SSD benefits applications and appeals over the years, and we know how to get the results our clients want in as little time as possible. We know you need benefits right away, and we know how to get your claim in the hands of people who can help.
Don’t go without the benefits you earned during your career. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by Staff Blogger | July 21st, 2017
The ability to work and bring home an income is an important part of our lives. When that ability is taken away due to a disability, it can leave you wondering how you’re going to make ends meet. Fortunately, there are government programs such as Social Security Disability (SSD) to assist disabled folks in Nashville survive. Unfortunately, those benefits can be extremely difficult to secure on your own, which is why we recommend you call an experienced Social Security Disability attorney for help.
The application process for securing SSD benefits can be complex and confusing, especially if your disability makes any type of application process difficult. The reality is more than two-thirds of initial applications are denied. If it has happened to you or someone you love, you know the hopeless feeling that can follow. Of course, you can always appeal the decision, but what if nothing changes the second time around? Where will you turn then?
Don’t take the chance of going it alone. Call our experienced Nashville Social Security Disability attorneys instead. We’ll review your initial application for free to determine opportunities to improve your chances in an appeal. Then we’ll walk you through the process from start to finish. Your benefits are too important for you to go it alone. Contact us today for your free consultation, and let us put our experience to work for you.
by Staff Blogger | June 30th, 2017
One of the first things we teach our children is where they can go for help. It’s important they know who they can trust and where they can turn when things go badly. As adults, we often forget that there are places we can turn for help as well. For many disabled Nashvillians, one lifeline has been Social Security Disability benefits–a guaranteed monthly check that helps them make ends meet. Unfortunately, securing those benefits isn’t as easy as filling out a form or paying a visit to a government building. It can be a long, complicated process that may very well end in a denial.
More than two-thirds of all initial Social Security Disability applications are denied. It can happen for a number of reasons, some of which might seem minor during the application process. That denial can be a crushing blow to someone who doesn’t know how they’re going to survive without benefits. Thankfully, those who are denied can appeal that decision, and with the right help, secure benefits for years to come. At Ponce Law, we’re proud to help disabled folks in our community with their SSD appeals, and we’d love to help you as well.
If you’ve been denied benefits, call our experienced Nashville Social Security Disability attorneys today for a free consultation. We’ll review your application for free, and if we feel we can help, we’ll do so at no cost until we get benefits for you. Contact us today.
by Staff Blogger | June 5th, 2017
The Social Security Act of 1935 was one of America’s greatest social achievements. It provided vital financial benefits to older-age citizens. When the Act was expanded to include individuals with disabilities, it pulled thousands of Americans who could no longer work out of poverty, giving them a second chance at life. That’s what Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits are to disabled Nashvillians. They are a second chance and a last hope. Being refused those benefits can be devastating, and yet two-thirds of all applications are denied.
If you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits, you may be closer to benefits than you think. Often applications are denied due to discrepancies or mistakes in the application process. With the help of an experienced Nashville Social Security Disability attorney, many folks with disabilities are getting approved through the appeals process. At Ponce Law, we can help you determine what went wrong with your initial application and make the necessary changes to help ensure you get approved the second time around.
Give us a call today for a free consultation. We’ll review your application at no cost or obligation. If we feel you have a strong case for benefits, we’ll put our full experience behind making sure you get them. Your SSD benefits are too important for you to try and go it alone. Contact us today.
by Staff Blogger | May 12th, 2017
Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits could be considered passive income, meaning it comes in with little to no effort on your part. After approved for benefits, you’ll begin receiving monthly checks from the government to help make ends meet. For most, that check is a game changer–the difference between scrapping by and a decent life. However, getting approved on your own can be extremely difficult, which is why so many disabled Nashvillians call Ponce Law for help.
More than two-thirds of all initial SSD applications are denied. That’s thousands of disabled folks every year who are left wondering how they’re going to make ends meet each month. Their disability makes it impossible to do any type of work, yet they can’t get the government assistance they need. Many times that denial is due to a failure to properly prove the severity of your disability on your application. An experienced SSD attorney can help you remedy that in your repeal, often leading to an approval.
If you’ve been denied Social Security Disability benefits, give us a call today for a free consultation. We’ll review your application for free, and if we believe we can help, we’ll start working on your appeal right away. Your SSD benefits are too important to you and your family to try and go it alone. Contact us today.
