Stay Informed of Your Claims
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), 1 in every 4 working adults over the age of 20 will become disabled and require benefits before reaching retirement age. Unfortunately, many who become ill or injured are entirely unprepared for the confusion and complexity of claiming such benefits. Disability lawyers in Orlando, FL often do more than just handle the time-consuming paperwork of the application process. Without proper guidance from a knowledgeable professional, you may end up shorting yourself of money that you fairly deserve. Stay informed of the facts, and consult with a reliable disability attorney in Orlando to ensure that your wellbeing is protected.
How Benefits are Determined
Disability benefits are calculated with a system very similar to retirement benefits. The SSA will calculate a percentage of your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME). Credits are issued as many as 4 per year for every $1200 of annual earned income. However, applicants lose 2 credits for every 2 years below the retirement age, significantly reducing possible benefits for applicants in their 30s and 20s.
SSA Is Not Your Advisor
The system of operation for the Social Security Administration is exceedingly complex and difficult to navigate. If you rely on the employees of the SSA to fully explain the details of your possible benefits and claims, potential underlying problems, and recommended strategies, you will almost certainly encounter difficulties and possibly lose money. There is simply no reasonable way to account for all the numerous variables involved in your personal budget and financial needs when so many applicants are involved. Applicants may rely on disability lawyers in Orlando to provide personalized expert assistance that specifically suits the needs of the individual claim. Do not attempt to struggle through the confusion of disability claims alone. A single error can and will cost you time and money.
Working and Earning Benefits
When qualifying your disability claim, the SSA will require an earnings test to calculate your level of substantial gainful activity. This detail can be quite stressful for applicants who feel they will be punished if they begin even a simple part-time work. While it is true that your income could potentially lower your payment, applicants often make the mistake of seeking “under the table” income that does not get reported. However, this behavior is fraudulent and could result in a revocation of benefits or worse. Your disability attorney in Orlando will always encourage you to be completely transparent about your income, household situations, and your ongoing health. Not only changes will affect your claim negatively, and many income sources are still acceptable while claiming benefits.
When a Doctor considers you Disabled
Just because your doctor has diagnosed you as disabled does not mean that you will automatically receive benefits. Many people apply through disability lawyers in Orlando, FL because the decision is ultimately that of the SSA. Your claim will require detailed and documented evidence of your conditions, its repercussion, and the expected length of your recovery if any. Frequent cooperation between your doctors and your disability attorney in Orlando, FL will build a more credible case for your disability claim and improve your results. Contact us today for more information!
