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Scranton, PA Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyer

Keeping up with rent, healthcare, and everything else can be incredibly challenging if a medical condition is preventing you from working. Fortunately, our team can help you apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) to help relieve some of the stress.

You should not feel punished because a condition is limiting your ability to work. SSDI benefits are available to those who have a qualifying medical disability as defined by the federal government. However, you will have had to work for some period of your life to get benefits. Our skilled team can review your case to determine if you have earned enough work credits to qualify. We will also make sure your application is supported by enough medical evidence that there is little question as to the disability you are claiming. If you are still considering working, we can counsel you on how much you can earn and still get benefits to help cover the difference.

For a free case assessment, contact Young, Marr, Mallis & Deane’s experienced Social Security Disability lawyers today at (609) 755-3115.

How to Get Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) in Scranton, PA

If you have a medical condition that limits or completely keeps you from working, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide the support you need when it is most vital. However, qualifying for SSDI benefits takes more than just suffering from a disability.

SSDI is paid out from Social Security, so how much you worked throughout your life will impact your application. Fortunately, our Social Security Disability lawyers can review your medical records and work history to determine if you will qualify. Our team can also prepare your medical records so your benefits are not unnecessarily delayed by a denial. We will also make sure you are not making too much income to lose your benefits if you are working in a limited capacity.

You Need a Certain Amount of Work Credits to Qualify

The first step to qualifying for SSDI is having enough work credits. As mentioned, SSDI benefits are generated from the Social Security contributions people make in their paychecks. The more you pay into Social Security through working, the more credits you will earn.

The Social Security Administration (SSA), the body responsible for administering SSDI, will assess the number of credits you have earned during your working life. To qualify, you must have at least 40 work credits, with 20 credits being earned in the past ten years.

You will earn a credit every time you contribute $1,730 to Social Security. This means you will have your yearly credits when you have contributed $6,920. However, you can only earn up to four credits per year. Also, the per credit amount you need to pay is set to increase each year. Our team can review your work history before applying to determine if you have paid enough into Social Security.

If you fall short of the minimum work credits needed, we can explore other options with you. For example, we might be able to use one of your parent’s Social Security contributions to get over the credit limit. However, you will need to prove that you are an adult child with a disability, meaning you are over 18, unmarried, and were diagnosed with your condition before the age of 22. If this fits your situation, we can help you apply for benefits by adding your parents’ work credits.

You Must Have a Qualifying Medical Condition

Of course, you will need to have a medical condition that the SSA considers a “disability.” If your condition does not meet one of the listed definitions, your application will be denied, no matter how many work credits you have earned.

However, your condition does not have to last indefinitely. You can receive benefits for many medical conditions that last only a limited time. For instance, you might only need SSDI for the time it takes to recover from a major reconstructive surgery on a joint. In other cases, you might need ongoing support for chronic asthma. Whatever the case, our team will gather the medical evidence that shows the extent of care your condition will require.

Which condition your benefits qualify for matters because it will determine how often the SSA reviews your case. People with qualifying conditions they are expected to recover from might have their cases reviewed every six months or yearly. For chronic or permanent disabilities, the SSA might wait years between each review.

In any case, you will want to keep all of your medical records. This includes reports you received from specialists, medication prescriptions, and any other documents relevant to treating your condition. Our team will be here to help you be ready if the SSA sends you a notice for review. With our support, you stand the best chance of not having your claim denied for lack of medical evidence, a common reason for SSA denials.

Your Earnings Must Be Below Substantial Gainful Activity

Whether you are applying for SSDI benefits or already receiving them, you must ensure your income is below the SSA’s “Substantial Gainful Activity” (SGA). Essentially, this rule prevents people from double-dipping by allowing them to collect monthly benefits while making a full-time income. However, many SSDI recipients still need to make some type of income to support themselves while they treat their condition.

In 2024, the non-blind can earn as much as $1,550 monthly without the SSA canceling their benefits. Blind individuals can earn up to $2,590 a month without exceeding the SGA. To keep up with inflation, the SSA also increases these limits each year, which you can check here.

However, you will still be subject to review even if you earn under the SGA. The SSA will typically authorize a trial period to see if you can return to work without limitations. However, this work trial will only trigger if you make more than $1,110 each month and have worked at least nine months in five years.

What to Do if Your SSDI Application is Denied in Scranton, PA

The majority of SSDI applications are denied because the applicant did not submit enough information or mistakenly left out a crucial piece of evidence. If your benefits were denied, the SSA should notify you by mail detailing the reasons for the denial. Our team can review their reasoning to see how we can correct the situation.

In most cases, we simply need to gather more medical records. If you have been dealing with a disability, it is understandable if you do not have all the documentation in your possession. Further, doctor’s offices and insurance companies do not always make it easy to get your records. Our team can gather the necessary information and request the SSA’s reconsideration or take your case to court.