Proving you have a qualifying disability so you can get any of the forms of assistance available through SSDI or SSI isn’t simple as it should be.
“Disability” to Social Security is different from what a lot of people, or even doctors, often think. For SSI or Social Security Disability Insurance eligibility, the definition of disability is the inability to work. These are the disability qualifications:
Social Security measures how much you can work using a standard called “substantial gainful activity,” or SGA.
SGA is a monthly amount you’re allowed to earn from working. If you go over that amount, you won’t qualify for disability benefits. The line shifts over the years.
To evaluate your health, Social Security compares your illness to its list of impairments, looks at medical records from your doctors, and weighs your ability to carry out basic tasks needed for jobs—such as lifting, standing, walking and concentrating for extended times—in a rating it calls your “residual functional capacity” or RFC.
Qualifying for disability benefits is complicated. Your Social Security Disability lawyer from HNB tackles the tough parts so you can rest easier.
When you’re ready to apply for SSDI or SSI, you have a lot of tasks to complete:
You can file for disability benefits online, over the phone or by mail. But the Social Security Administration is difficult to deal with.
Instead of wrestling with it, have an Ohio SSDI attorney from HNB deal with them for you.
Our disability attorneys have been through this process with thousands of Ohioans and know what information you need, what you don’t need, how to get the right documentation, and how to present everything to Social Security in a way that works for getting benefits.
We can help you avoid mistakes in your disability benefits application. Working with a disability lawyer can improve your chances of winning benefits in the end.
Call the HNB disability lawyers in Ohio when you need to apply for SSDI.
You may have heard that Social Security Disability denies most people. It’s true. In an average over several years, about 80 percent of first-time applications for disability benefits get denied.
You can be denied disability benefits for many reasons:
Next you should appeal your denial of disability benefits. Really, Social Security appeals are an expected part of the process.
In your disability appeal, you get the chance to update and add medical evidence to your file. You can update Social Security on your work situation. You can point out where Social Security missed something. You can strengthen your arguments for benefits.
The first step to a Social Security Disability appeal is asking for a simple reconsideration. Most of the time, people still get denied.
Then, however, you can ask for a hearing with disability judge. It’s a chance to explain your situation one-to-one. More people win benefits after disability hearings.
If you’re still denied, you still have options. You can ask Social Security to review the judge’s decision at a group called the Appeals Council. And you can take your claim to federal court.
You absolutely want an experienced disability lawyer to handle this process. For appealing, talk to the Ohio SSDI attorneys at HNB.
You may wonder if you need a lawyer for your disability claim. You should know this: a skilled disability attorney can increase your chances of winning benefits, and you don’t pay an attorney fee until you win benefits.
When should you get an attorney?
When you work with an HNB disability attorney in Ohio, they will:
Statistics from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) showed that having a representative like a disability lawyer at your hearing with a disability judge can increase your chances of winning disability benefits by almost three times.
The Ohio disability lawyers at HNB are highly active in the national field of disability law. Fellow attorneys know us and recognize the work we do.
Attorneys on our team have recognition by our peers in Super Lawyers and at the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. We’re members of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).
Here is a clear look at the basic steps you’ll need to get approved for disability income.
The first step is figuring out if you qualify for disability. You can look at Social Security’s “Blue Book” listing of qualifying impairments, but you can also qualify even if you don’t have a specific medical issue that the SSA names there.
The severity of your symptoms is what’s most important. Whatever health problems you’re experiencing, you need to show that they have or will prevent you from working for a year or more, at any kind of job.
Applying for SSDI or SSI takes much more than filling out forms and hitting send. You need evidence, like medical records and statements from people who have witnessed your health problems firsthand, to convince Social Security that you need benefits.
Gather up anything that you could use to help you make your case, then get started on the application itself.
Because most people get denied the first time they apply for benefits, that’s not the end of the road. Appealing a denial is a normal part of the process.
There are four stages of appeals, giving you multiple chances to counter Social Security’s reasons for denying you, and strict deadlines to keep your application moving through the system.
It’s a lot of work to appeal, but it’s often a better option than starting over with a new disability claim.
The Ohio disability attorneys at HNB can walk you through the appeals process and help you fight for the benefits you deserve.
If you still have questions about how this works, our Ohio Social Security Disability lawyers can help you.
When you’re looking for a Social Security Disability lawyer, nothing’s more valuable than hearing from someone who’s been through this before—someone dealing with medical issues that disrupted their lives and worked with a disability lawyer.
Here are just a few stories from people who had an Ohio disability attorney from HNB. This is what they said when they reviewed the law firm on Google:
Help when You Have Health Problems & Paid into SSDI
An HNB client said, “with all my health issues,” he needed medical coverage in addition to monthly income support. Winning Social Security Disability benefits gets you early access to Medicare.
He brought in HNB to help him win benefits after two years of denials. The HNB Ohio disability lawyers helped him get approved in a year.
“HNB stayed with me to the end,” he said. “I received back pay for the three-year period and the highest amount available monthly for someone that has paid a lot into Social Security over the past 25-30 years.”
Help for Veterans of the Armed Forces
A local military veteran said: “Veterans, you’ve probably fought with the VA and/or the SSA. But use HNB for your wingman. Don’t fight on your own. Ask for backup.”
“This team made me feel like I finally had someone fighting for me.”
He said he won his claim with help from HNB. “What a relief.”
Help for People Who Tried on Their Own
An Ohio woman said she tried to get SSI benefits on her own but was denied several times. HNB helped her appeal and finally won disability benefits for her.
“I was so stressed about how I would move forward in my life, not being able to work with my medical issues. They have helped me out so much. I can finally breathe again.”
Help for People Turned Down by Other Firms
One HNB client said another law firm turned down their disability case, saying it wasn’t winnable. But HNB took it on and won.
In fact, HNB’s disability lawyers appealed the case to the advanced level of federal court and got it sent back for a new Social Security hearing and approval.
“It was a long process but a favorable one, and that is what matters,” our client said. “Thank you, HNB!”
Help Getting Benefits for a Family Member
Another HNB client said HNB helped her family get Social Security Disability benefits for her niece, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
“They were wonderful! They worked to expedite the claim; kept us updated on any issues that needed to be addressed. My niece’s claim was approved.”
This is why they say, “Helping me, that’s HNB.”
We know how stressful this process can be, and we’re sure that you have some questions.
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Social Security Disability, but you can always contact our Ohio disability lawyers if you have additional questions or concerns.
According to recent data, around 38 to 43 percent of initial SSDI and SSI claims have been getting approved in Ohio. This is typical. So if you can’t work because of your health, it’s challenging—and it takes work—to get the benefits you need to stabilize your life.
Many claims get denied primarily because Social Security has high standards for those who get awarded disability benefits.
You could be denied because you don’t have enough evidence to back up your disability claim, if it seems like you could work with your current health problems, or if you just make mistakes or leave something out on your application forms.
It’s possible, but working too much can make it harder to get your application approved. It’s important that you don’t work enough to surpass Social Security’s standard for “substantial gainful activity,” or SGA.
For 2026, SGA is $1,690 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,830 per month for people with blindness.
Make more money and a claims examiner may assume you can just support yourself. They’ll think that you don’t need disability benefits.
It typically takes months or longer to win disability benefits. The SSA has a large backlog of claims and only so many examiners.
If you get denied on your first application, as many people do, the process stretches on as you appeal Social Security’s decision.
Getting disability benefits on your own is tough, even when it seems like your health problems obviously interfere with your ability to work.
An Ohio disability lawyer can help you at every stage of this process, from your very first application to each part of your appeal. Having an attorney to represent you at your disability hearing is especially important in improving your chances, as even government numbers have shown.
Keep in mind that you only pay an attorney fee if you win benefits, no matter how long your claim takes.
This depends on whether you’re eligible for SSDI or SSI, what kinds of other benefits you’re receiving, and how much.
You may be able to receive Social Security Disability benefits along with veterans’ disability or workers’ compensation benefits. But having some kinds of benefits can affect or offset how much you get from other benefits.
Talk to a lawyer for help understanding the full picture of help you can get and how to maximize your financial assistance.
“During a very difficult time, there was compassion and a truly dedicated effort from the staff for a favorable outcome with a disability claim from the Social Security Administration.”
“They met all of my needs, suggested avenues of approach in my case that I hadn’t thought of. The lawyers that handled my case at different levels were fully knowledgeable of all aspects of my case. Highly recommend this firm for your legal needs.
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