SOCIAL SECURITY CLAIMS

Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, attorneys and lawyers dedicated to assisting individuals with claims for Social Security compensation.

             If you are disabled, you may be entitled to monthly disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. To be found disabled under the social security regulations, you must suffer from a physical and/or mental impairment which prevents you from working for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or you must suffer from a medical impairment which can be expected to result in death.

            In addition to proving disability, you must also prove your eligibility for benefits. If you are a wage earner and have enough social security earnings to be fully insured, you may be entitled to Disability Insurance Benefits. Your entitlement to benefits may also be based upon your relationship to a fully insured wage earner. You may receive benefits if you are a disabled child, or are a disabled widow/widower, or are a disabled surviving divorced spouse. You may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income Benefits. The Supplemental Security Income program is a “needs based” program. Payment will be made to disabled individuals with income and resources below specified amounts.

             To be considered for benefits, you must complete an application. This can be done at your local social security office. Filing an application will permit a formal decision to be made on your entitlement to benefits, protect your entitlement to any benefits that may be payable for as many as 12 months before the application was filed, and give you the right to appeal if you are dissatisfied with the decision. If you are denied benefits, you have 60 days to file an appeal. It may take several appeals before you are finally awarded benefits. If you have any questions as to your rights or you need help with an appeal, you should consult an attorney experienced in social security matters. Contact us.