When a health condition or injury makes it impossible to work, the financial pressure sets in fast. Social Security Disability benefits exist to help, but the application process is complicated, the rules are strict, and most first-time applications are denied. If you’re in Queens and dealing with a disability that keeps you from working, you don’t have to sort through this system alone.
At Bangel, Cohen & Falconetti, we help Queens residents with their Social Security Disability benefits and get them the help they deserve. If your claim has been denied or you’re not sure where to start, our Queens injury lawyers are ready to help you.
When Work Is No Longer Possible: What SSD Benefits Cover
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly payments to workers who have paid into the Social Security system and can no longer work because of a disabling condition. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides benefits to individuals who meet income and resource limits, regardless of work history.
Both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration and require applicants to meet specific medical and functional criteria to qualify.
Who Qualifies for Social Security Disability
To qualify for SSDI, you generally must:
- Have a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death
- Be unable to perform substantial gainful activity due to that condition
- Have enough work credits earned through prior employment
The SSA evaluates your ability to perform your past work and other types of work, given your age, education, and work history. Many Queens applicants who are denied benefits initially still qualify when their full medical picture is properly presented.
The Application Process and Why So Many Claims Get Denied
Roughly 60 to 70 percent of initial SSD applications are denied. The most common reasons include:
- Insufficient medical documentation to support the disability claim
- Failure to follow prescribed treatment without a documented reason
- The SSA’s determination that the applicant can still perform some type of work
- Incorrectly completed or incomplete application forms
Our Queens injury attorneys know the SSD process and can help you avoid these pitfalls from the very beginning of your application.
Appealing a Denied SSD Claim in New York
If your claim has been denied, you have the right to appeal. The process has multiple levels: reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, review by the Appeals Council, and ultimately, federal court if necessary.
Most successful SSD cases are won at the hearing level with the right preparation and medical evidence. Our firm helps Queens claimants connect with the right attorneys, build the case they need for that hearing, including gathering updated medical records and working with doctors who can speak to the functional limits your condition creates.
Let Our Queens Injury Lawyers Guide You Through the Process
Whether you are just starting your application or fighting a denial, our firm can help. We help Queens residents find SSD attorneys who can handle their cases from the initial application through every level of appeal. Call 718-446-4400 or contact us online to talk about your situation with our lawyers in Queens today.
