Social Security Disability Lawyers in Lexington SC
If you need Social Security disability benefits (SSDI), you should consider hiring Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers to help you collect the compensation and benefits to which you are entitled. The SSDI claims process is highly complicated and can take months for your application to be processed. The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC, can help you today. Approximately 80-90% of disability claims in South Carolina are initially denied. Many applicants are denied their benefits on the first try, often due to technicalities or incomplete applications. Let our experienced attorneys help you through this process and improve your chances of a successful claim.
Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits in SC?
To determine whether you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, consider the following questions:
Are you working?
If you are working and have average earnings of more than $1,260 per month, you likely cannot be considered disabled. If you are not currently working, you may be eligible for social security disability benefits. SSDI is funded by payroll taxes paid by workers and employers.
Do you have enough work credits?
To qualify for SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits, which are based on your work history and the amount you have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes. For example, in 2024, you earn one Social Security credit for each $1,640 in wages or self-employment income, up to a maximum of four credits per year. Most adults need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years, to qualify for SSDI.
Is your condition “severe”?
If your condition does not interfere with certain activities, Social Security may find that you are not disabled. In order for your condition to be considered severe, it has to interfere with basic work-related activities. Some examples of “work-related activities” are walking, concentrating, sitting, standing, or maintaining pace. If your health condition interferes with these types of basic work-related activities, you should consider applying for benefits. The Social Security Administration defines ‘disability’ as the inability to work due to a medical condition expected to last at least one year or result in death. The SSA requires that a medical condition must be severe enough to interfere with basic work-related activities to qualify for benefits.
Is your medical condition on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions?
The Social Security Administration keeps a list of medical conditions that are so severe that having a diagnosis for one of these conditions may automatically qualify you for disability benefits. If you have a condition that is not listed, the SSA will make a determination as to whether your condition is equal in severity to another listed condition. If your medical condition is found to be of equal severity to one of the listed conditions, the Social Security Administration will consider you disabled. If your medical condition is not on the list, the SSA will determine if it is equal in severity to a listed condition.
Even if your condition is not on the list, you still may be considered disabled if you are unable to engage in full-time work. If you are 50 years old or older, and you have certain physical limitations, the standard for disability is lower than it is for younger people.
Can you do the work you did previously?
If your medical condition is consideredsevere, but not equal in its level of severity as a medical condition on SSA’s list, then the next step will be for Social Security to determine if your condition interferes with your ability to keep working. If your medical condition does not interfere with your ability to continue working, then SSA will deny your claim. If your medical condition does interfere with your ability to keep working, then the next factor for consideration is whether you are able to do any other type of work.
Can you do any other type of work?
If you are no longer able to do the same kind of work you used to do, Social Security must then determine whether you are able to adjust to some other type of work. Social Security will consider your age, education, medical conditions, past employment experience, and any other skills you may have that you can put to use in another field. If the SSA finds that you are unable to adjust to another type of work, your claim for benefits will be approved. If they find that you are able to adjust to other work, they will deny your claim.
What if you do not have enough work credits?
If you do not have enough work credits for SSDI, you may still qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you meet the income and resource limits. SSI is a needs-based program for individuals who are disabled but do not have sufficient work credits, and to qualify, you must meet specific household income and asset restrictions. Eligibility for SSI is based on income and resources, which include personal assets, savings, and other financial support systems.
What is required to receive benefits?
To receive benefits, applicants must meet the SSA’s definition of disability. The application process requires thorough documentation, including medical records, work history, and proof of disability. Many claims are denied because applicants do not provide sufficient medical evidence to support their disability claims.
How do I apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?
The initial application for Social Security Disability benefits requires thorough documentation and can be complex and overwhelming. The Social Security Disability application and approval process can be complicated. Between the government red tape, deadlines, and paperwork required, you may be feeling totally overwhelmed. This only exacerbates the stress of not being able to work because of your impairments. The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC, understand the system, and we know how the process works. If you qualify for benefits, we will help you get them as soon as possible. The application process for Social Security Disability benefits can be complex and overwhelming, and the Social Security Disability claims process is highly complicated, with many legitimate claims unfairly denied by the SSA.
- In-person: You can apply for Social Security Disability benefits at your local social security office.
- Online: www.ssa.gov
- Over the Phone: 1-800-772-1213.
- With an attorney: The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm can help you file your social security disability claim and ensure your initial application is complete and thoroughly documented. By allowing our attorneys to fill out an application on your behalf, we can ensure that your application is complete and free from errors that may lead to your claim being denied. After we submit your application, we’ll manage the entire process for you — all the way to a Federal Court suit if necessary. The Social Security Administration limits how much an attorney may legally charge you for representation in an administrative proceeding.
Once you have completed the application process, you must wait for notification from SSA about whether you have been accepted or rejected. If you are denied, you will have sixty (60) days to appeal.
What Happens if I am Denied?
Unfortunately, most people who apply for Social Security Disability benefits will be denied initially. This is known as a disability denial. You have the right to appeal a disability denial and request a reconsideration of your claim. We can help you fight denied benefits and help you file for reconsideration. Many claims are approved during the appeals process, and hiring an attorney who understands Social Security law can improve your chances of success.
What Happens After I am Denied a Second Time?
If your claim is again rejected after a request for reconsideration, the Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm can file an appeal on your behalf and continue to pursue benefits for you. We accomplish this by requesting a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. About 80% of requests for reconsideration are denied after an initial denial, but half of all Social Security disability claim appeals are successful, indicating many initial denials are incorrect.
What Happens if a Judge Rules Against Me at a Hearing?
If the Administrative Law Judge rules against you and your claim for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, our attorneys will draft and file a legal brief and again appeal the denial. The brief we file will be submitted to an appeals council for review. If your claim is denied at the administrative hearing, your next step is to ask for a review by the Social Security Appeals Council.
What’s the Next Step?
If all previous appeals are exhausted, the next step is to file suit in Federal Court. We will review your case to determine if this is appropriate for your claim. When seeking a lawyer, you should ask if the lawyer will take the case to Federal Court. Not all lawyers are admitted to practice law in Federal Court in South Carolina, and many Social Security lawyers simply refuse to take cases to Federal Court. While not every denial at the Appeals Council should be appealed to Federal Court, at the Strom Law Firm, we will always evaluate that option and pursue it if there are legal errors in your case.
Will I Get Approved or Denied SSDI?
No two applications are the same. Many applicants give up after facing the lengthy and complex application process for Social Security Disability benefits, but working with an experienced attorney can help you navigate the process and improve your chances of success. It is important for you to hire an experienced lawyer to advocate on your behalf during this process. The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC will assist you from day one, from handling your claim to keeping you updated throughout the entire process. Our goal will always be to get you the benefits to which you are entitled and to do it as quickly as possible.
Appealing a Denial of Social Security Disability Benefits
If your application for social security disability benefits is initially denied, you are not alone—most people face a denial at the first stage. Fortunately, you have the right to appeal, and with the help of an experienced social security disability attorney, you can improve your chances of ultimately receiving the disability benefits you need. The appeals process for social security disability in South Carolina is multi-layered and can be challenging to navigate without professional support.
The first step after a denial is to file a request for reconsideration with the Social Security Administration (SSA) within 60 days of receiving your notice. During this stage, your disability claim will be reviewed by a different SSA representative who was not involved in the initial decision. If your claim is denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This hearing is a critical opportunity to present new medical records, clarify your medical conditions, and explain how your disability interferes with basic work related activities. The ALJ will evaluate all the evidence and make a new determination regarding your eligibility for social security disability payments.
If the administrative law judge also denies your claim, you can take your case to the SSA’s Appeals Council. The Appeals Council will review the ALJ’s decision to ensure it was made according to the law and proper procedures. If the Appeals Council upholds the denial, your final option is to file a lawsuit in federal court. At each stage, having a knowledgeable social security disability lawyer by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.
In Richland County and throughout South Carolina, experienced disability lawyers are available to help you through every step of the appeals process. They can assist you in gathering the necessary medical documentation, preparing for hearings, and representing you in court proceedings if needed. Many claims are denied due to insufficient medical evidence, not meeting the SSA’s strict definition of disability, or missing documentation. A skilled attorney can help you identify the reasons for your denial and develop a strategy to address these issues, strengthening your claim for social security disability insurance or supplemental security income.
Don’t be discouraged if your claim is initially denied. The process is designed to be thorough, but it can be overwhelming without the right support. By working with a social security disability attorney, you can ensure that your application process is handled correctly from the start, and that any appeals are managed with the expertise needed to maximize your chances of approval. Most disability lawyers offer a free consultation to review your case and discuss your options, so you can get the guidance you need without any upfront cost.
Remember, social security disability benefits exist to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to severe medical conditions.
If you are unable to perform basic work related activities and meet the eligibility requirements, you deserve financial support. Don’t give up on your claim—contact a social security disability lawyer in South Carolina to help you navigate the appeals process and secure the benefits you are entitled to. With the right legal representation, you can move forward with confidence, knowing you have an advocate fighting for your rights every step of the way.
What Kind of Benefits Am I Eligible For?
You may be eligible to collect Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security. Less popular types of benefits also include adult child disability benefits, requiring you to be disabled before the age of 22 and the child of a deceased or disabled worker, and widow and widower benefits when you are disabled and seeking benefits based on the earnings history of a deceased spouse. At the Strom Law Firm, we will evaluate your eligibility for all potential benefits. To determine which type of benefits you may be eligible for, call the lawyers at the Strom Law Firm today and let us assist you with your claim for benefits. The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm are eager to assist. Call us at (803) 252-4800 to schedule a free consultation to discuss how our attorneys can help you.
Do You Have More Social Security Claim Questions?
If you still have questions about your eligibility for Social Security benefits in Lexington, South Carolina, please contact us at (803) 252-4800. Our initial consultations are always free. The Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC can help you apply for disability benefits,file for reconsideration,request a hearing,appeal a hearing decision, andfile suit in federal court.
How Do I Hire a Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyer?
If you are still unsure about whether your medical conditions or impairments make you eligible to collect disability benefits, you can call us with any questions by calling (803) 252-4800 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. If you qualify for benefits, the Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC, may be able to assist you. Our attorneys will manage the entire process for you from application to appeal to the final decision so that you can focus on your family and your health instead of worrying about your case. You only pay legal fees if you are paid benefits, as we operate on a contingency basis.
No matter what your question or issue regarding Social Security Disability benefits, our Lexington Social Security Disability Lawyers can meet with you for free to answer your questions and address your concerns. Call us at (803) 252-4800 today and let us tell you how we can help.
