Port St Lucie Social Security Disability Lawyer

Simplifying the Social Security Disability Filing Process for Those in Need in Port St. Lucie

Stressed about Disability Benefits? Let Us Help You File and Handle Your Appeals

social security disability form

Social Security provides benefits for many types of Americans unable to work, not just retirees. One of the most important of these Social Security programs secure benefits for those who are disabled. By applying for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI), supplemental security income (SSI), and/or disabled widow/widower benefits, individuals with disabilities and certain dependents may be eligible to receive monthly payments that help them with their living expenses.

The eligibility criteria for Social Security disability programs are quite strict. Individuals must make below a certain income level and have a verified disability that falls under the Social Security Administration’s “disabling conditions” list. Because these requirements are narrow and the application process is so complex, many SSA disability applications are rejected upon their first submission.

If you are seeking SSA disability benefits and have been denied, or if you currently receive benefits and receive notice that they could be lowered or terminated, then remember you have legal options. Social Security disability lawyers in Port St. Lucie can help you evaluate those options. Their expertise can give you a high chance of success when applying for or appealing your benefits.

The Social Security disability attorneys at Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd have over 30 years of experience helping those in need file for the benefits they require. We want you to get the full benefits you deserve, and we want to make the process as quick and painless as possible.

Let an experienced Port St. Lucie Social Security disability lawyer take up your case. She or he will provide assistance with your application, help you strategize for your appeal, and potentially point you towards the best doctors available to evaluate your condition.

Schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a local Social Security disability attorney now when you call us at 866-460-1990 or contact us online.

The Types of Social Security Disability Programs Available

There are three main disability benefit programs available through the Social Security Administration. The situation you and your family find yourselves in can affect whether you meet the requirements for the respective program. SSA officials reviewing applications will expect all requirements to be met, so applying to the correct program for you and documenting everything appropriately is important.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI payments are reserved for disabled individuals who cannot work, who have a limited or nonexistent work history, who have limited assets, and who make lower than a set amount of total income per month. In total, someone filing for SSI is expected to have less than $2,000 in assets or $3,000 total for married couples.

SSI income thresholds adjust from year to year. For 2019, that income limit is $771 for individuals and $1,157 per month for couples. Not all money you earn counts as income, though, which is why it is important to have a Social Security disability lawyer review your application.

Social Security Disability Insurance

SSDI provides Social Security income to those who have worked long enough to pay their full Social Security contribution through income taxes and payroll withholding. Applicants must be disabled and unable to work. If they have a dependent spouse or children under 18, they may also be eligible to receive auxiliary benefits. Additionally, anyone who receives SSDI for two years can become eligible for Medicare.

Disabled Widow/Widower Benefits

Disabled widow/widower benefits are intended to assist those whose spouses have passed on and who cannot meet the work requirements of other assistance programs. The surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased prior to his or her passing for at least 9 months, and he or she must be between the ages of 50 and 60 years old. Additionally, the widow or widower must not be eligible to receive a higher amount of Social Security benefits through other programs.

How the SSA Defines Disabilities

“Disability” can apply to a broad spectrum of conditions, so the SSA narrows it down using five general questions:

  • Are you working?Those who are actively working or who make more than $1,220 a month, on average, are not eligible.
  • Is your condition “severe”?Only conditions that severely limit mobility and functioning can qualify an individual for SSA disability benefits. These limitations must prevent basic tasks like lifting, walking, or recalling information for at least 12 months.
  • Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions?The SSA maintains a list of disabling conditions. If your condition is not on the list, then it must be evaluated to see if it is as severely limiting as other listed conditions.
  • Can you do the work you did previously?If your disability does not prevent you from performing work you once held, then you do not qualify.
  • Can you do any other type of work?Some impairments can be accommodated through other career options or through accessibility measures, such as being given permission to work from home. If you are able to perform work in this way, you do not qualify.

Appealing a Denied SSA Claim in Port St. Lucie

Having your SSA disability claim denied doesn’t have to be the final say. You have the legal right to appeal decisions multiple times. By enlisting the help of a Port St. Lucie Social Security disability attorney, you can ensure that your appeal has the information and documentation needed to give it a high chance of success.

Claims that are denied twice can be appealed once more through a hearing with a local administrative law judge. If the hearing still results in a denial, you can ask for a final review from the Social Security Appeals Council. This Council can choose not to review your case, however.

The final option for a denied claim is to file a case through the federal court system.

Get Help from an Experienced Team of Social Security Lawyers in Port St. Lucie

Dealing with the SSA can be intimidating, and you may feel worried that any mistake you make will prevent you from getting the income you need to survive.

Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd wants you to know that you have an ally and an advocate available. We can be at your side during your application or appeal so that you can improve your chances of successfully obtaining the benefits you need to thrive.

Speak with an experienced team of Port St. Lucie Social Security lawyers during a free, no-obligation consultation to find out more about your options. Schedule your free appointment today by calling 866-460-1990 or using our convenient form to contact us online.

Address
1555 NW St. Lucie West Blvd.
Suite 203, Port St. Lucie, Fl. 34986

We are open
Open hours: 9:00am – 05:00pm Mon-Fri

Phone
(772) 344-7770

Fax
 (772) 344-3838

E-mail
[email protected]

 
 
 




    Locations


    Ft. Pierce Office
    302 South Second Street
    Ft. Pierce, FL 34950
    Phone: (772) 464-4600
    Fax: (772) 465-4747
    Port St. Lucie Office
    1555 NW St. Lucie West Blvd
    Suite 203, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
    Phone: (772) 344-7770
    Fax: (772)344-3838
    Okeechobee Office
    1910 S Parrott Ave
    Okeechobee, FL 34974
    Phone: (863) 357-5800
    Fax: (863) 763-2237
    Vero Beach Office
    2101 15th Avenue
    Vero Beach, FL 32960
    Phone: (772) 794-7774
    Fax: (772) 794-7773