Social Security Disability (SSDI) Lawyers

Helping People Nationwide Apply for and Win SSDI Benefits

If a serious medical condition has taken away your ability to work, Social Security Disability Insurance may be one of the most important sources of support available to you. It is not charity. Every paycheck you earned included Social Security taxes, and SSDI is the insurance those taxes paid for. When you can no longer work, you have every right to claim it.

Getting approved is another matter. The application is long, the medical standards are strict, and small mistakes can cost months of delay. Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates has helped thousands of disabled clients through this process, and we represent people across the country at every stage, from the first application through hearings and appeals. With more than 25 years of experience, we know what Social Security looks for and how to give it to them.

We charge no fee unless you are awarded benefits. Call 215-639-5297 for a free evaluation of your claim.

About Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates

Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates is a disability law firm dedicated to helping people who can no longer work because of illness or injury. Our disability practice includes Social Security Disability and private long-term disability claims under ERISA, which gives us a complete view of the benefits available when someone’s working life is cut short. We treat every client with dignity and respect, and we build each claim around a simple goal: giving the decision maker every reason to say yes.

Who Qualifies for SSDI?

SSDI eligibility depends on two things: your work history and your medical condition.

Work Credits

You earn work credits each year you work and pay Social Security taxes. Most applicants need 40 credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before they became disabled. Younger workers can qualify with fewer credits. If you do not have enough credits, you may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program with its own rules.

The Medical Standard

Social Security uses a strict definition of disability. You must have a medically determinable condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death. There is no partial or short-term SSDI benefit.

Social Security evaluates claims using a five-step process. It asks whether you are working above the earnings limit, whether your condition is severe, whether it meets or equals a listing in its Listing of Impairments, whether you can still do your past work, and whether you can adjust to any other work given your age, education, and skills. Many claims are won at the last two steps, where detailed medical opinions about your functional limits make the difference.

Common Mistakes That Lead to SSDI Denials

Most denials are not the result of a weak case. They happen because the application left out something important or created a problem that could have been avoided.

Applying While Earning Above the SGA Limit

If you are earning more than the substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount, Social Security will deny the claim without looking at your medical records. In 2026, that limit is $1,690 per month for most applicants and $2,830 per month for applicants who are blind. Many people try to keep working full time until benefits start, but that usually results in an automatic denial.

Assuming Part-Time Work Disqualifies You

The reverse mistake is just as common. If your condition has forced you into reduced hours or light duty and your earnings fall below the SGA limit, you may be able to apply now. Certain work expenses related to your impairment can also be deducted when Social Security calculates your earnings.

Collecting Unemployment at the Same Time

To receive unemployment benefits, you generally certify that you are able and available to work. An SSDI claim says the opposite. Receiving both does not automatically bar benefits, but it creates a conflict that judges often weigh against the claimant.

Listing Only One Condition

Social Security must consider the combined effect of all your impairments. A back injury combined with depression, sleep problems, and medication side effects can be far more limiting than any one of those conditions alone. Leaving conditions off the application means they may never be considered.

Overstating Skills or Education

Social Security compares your limitations with the jobs it believes you could still do. Describing your past work as more complex than it was, or listing skills you no longer have, can make it look like more jobs are available to you than really are.

Thin or Missing Medical Evidence

Social Security relies on records from acceptable medical sources. Gaps in treatment, missing test results, and records that describe a diagnosis without describing your limitations all weaken a claim. A clear written statement from your treating doctor about what you can and cannot do is often one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in the file.

Missing an Appeal Deadline

You generally have 60 days, plus five days for mailing, to appeal a denial. Many people give up after the first denial or file a brand new application instead of appealing, which can cost them months of back pay.

How We Help With Your SSDI Claim

• Preparing the initial application. We complete and review the forms with care, document every condition, and present your work history accurately so a technical error does not lead to a denial.
• Gathering medical evidence. We request records from your providers, identify gaps, and work with your doctors to obtain opinions that address the specific functional limits Social Security evaluates.
• Handling reconsideration. If your claim is denied, we file the request for reconsideration on time and strengthen the record before it is reviewed again.
• Representing you at your hearing. Many claims are decided before an administrative law judge. We prepare you for testimony, submit written arguments, and question the vocational and medical experts who testify.
• Appeals Council and federal court. If a judge denies your claim, we can request review by the Appeals Council and, when appropriate, pursue the case in federal court.

Because SSDI claims are handled by a federal agency, we can represent clients wherever they live, and many hearings today take place by phone or online video.

No Fee Unless You Win

We handle SSDI cases on a contingency basis. You pay no fee unless you are awarded benefits. When we win, our fee comes from your past-due benefits, and federal law caps it at 25% of that back pay, up to a maximum dollar amount set by Social Security. The fee must be approved by Social Security, and it never comes out of your future monthly checks.

Benefits for Your Family

An SSDI award can also provide monthly benefits to certain family members, based on your earnings record:

• Your spouse, if they are age 62 or older, or any age if they are caring for your child who is under 16 or disabled
• Your children, if they are unmarried and under 18, under 19 and still in high school full time, or 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22
• A divorced spouse, if you were married at least 10 years and they are 62 or older and unmarried

Family benefits are subject to a family maximum, but they do not reduce your own benefit. We make sure eligible family members are included when your claim is filed.

Frequently Asked Questions About Social Security Disability

Does everyone get denied the first time they apply?

No. Many first applications are denied, but often because of incomplete forms, missing records, or timing problems rather than the strength of the medical case. A carefully prepared application gives you a real chance at approval without going through the full appeals process.

How long does it take to get approved for SSDI?

Initial decisions commonly take several months, and claims that go to a hearing can take a year or longer depending on where you live. Certain severe conditions qualify for faster processing through Social Security’s Compassionate Allowances program.

When will my SSDI benefits start?

SSDI has a five-month waiting period after the date Social Security finds your disability began, so the first payment covers the sixth full month of disability. Back pay can reach as far as 12 months before the date you applied, depending on when your disability began.

Will I get Medicare with SSDI?

Yes. You generally become eligible for Medicare after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months. People with certain conditions, such as ALS, may qualify sooner.

What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you paid. SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and assets, regardless of work history. Some people qualify for both, and we can help you determine which programs apply to you.

Can I work while my SSDI claim is pending?

You can work as long as your earnings stay below the SGA limit, but any work activity will be reviewed. Even part-time work can raise questions about your abilities, so it is wise to talk with an attorney before taking or continuing a job.

Can you represent me if I do not live near your office?

Yes. Social Security Disability is a federal program with the same rules in every state, and we represent clients nationwide. Much of the work is handled by phone, mail, and electronic filing, and hearings are frequently held by phone or video.

Get Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim

When a medical condition takes away your ability to work, the uncertainty can affect your whole family. Our job is to take the paperwork, deadlines, and arguments off your shoulders so you can focus on your health. If you are ready to apply, have been denied, or are waiting on a hearing, call Young, Marr, Mallis & Associates at 215-639-5297 for a free, private review of your claim.