Do I Qualify for Disability in Ohio?

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When Social Security Disability Benefits Can Offer Financial Relief

Just having a health issue isn’t enough to qualify for disability. You need to show Social Security three things in order to receive benefits:

  • You can’t do your current or most recent job due to your health.
  • Your health and other factors stop you from switching to a new job.
  • Your impairment will last at least a year—or doctors say it could be terminal.

Most people get denied—because it’s not easy to meet these standards. But the process can be easier when you have an experienced Ohio disability lawyer supporting your disability claim.

The disability attorneys of Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal (HNB) have been helping people across Ohio win Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 40 years.

We’ve helped thousands of Ohioans.

We know this system and its unique rules and regulations. We’ll help you fight for the benefits that you deserve.

Getting Social Security to decide your disabling medical condition warrants financial assistance is a challenge, but it’s worth it when you get medical coverage and monthly payments that help you reclaim your financial stability and peace of mind.

If you think you may qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits, talk to our team—no fee unless you win.

Join all the others who can say, “Helping me, that’s HNB.”

GET HNB TO HELP YOU

    Types of Social Security Disability Benefits You Can Qualify for in Ohio

    Social Security runs two disability benefits programs.

    Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have worked and paid into the Social Security system, but now they must stop working due to their health.

    Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a need-based program for people with limited financial means, and it doesn’t require a work history.

    This chart shows how requirements and benefits for these programs differ:

    SSDI SSI
    Do I need to have a work-stopping health problem? YES YES
    Do I need to have a significant work history? YES, you need to have earned enough “work credits” to qualify for SSDI. NO, you can qualify for SSI even if you have never worked.
    Is this a need-based program? NO, you can have other assets like investments and savings. The only thing that matters is whether you can still work. YES, individuals receiving SSI can only have a maximum of $2,000 in countable resources, and couples who qualify can only have $3,000.
    How do they decide how much I will receive? Your SSDI payments are calculated based in part on your previous income. It’s different for everyone. Your SSI payments start at a maximum set by the government and can be reduced based on any income and other benefits you receive.
    Can I qualify for medical coverage? YES, you can enroll in Medicare after a waiting period. YES, you can enroll in Medicaid as soon as you’re approved for SSI.

    Our Ohio Social Security Disability lawyers can listen to your story and help you figure out whether SSDI, SSI, or even both kinds of benefits could help you get back on solid financial ground.

    Get started with a FREE case consultation.

    Does My Impairment Qualify for Benefits?

    Social Security maintains a list of impairments that can qualify you for benefits. But if your health problem isn’t listed, you can still receive benefits if the problems you have leave you unable to function.

    These are some of the impairments we see people winning benefits for:

    Every part of your disability application must be backed up by medical records detailing your particular condition—along with information about your past jobs and the demands those jobs put on you.

    Get someone else to take care of documenting your qualifications so you can take care of your health.

    HNB does the legwork for you. We want to see you get the benefits you need to secure your life.

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    What Evidence Do I Need to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

    The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn’t just take your word for it when you say that you have a health issue that’s severe enough to stop you from working.

    A claims examiner is going to require objective evidence, and a lot of it. Our Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland disability lawyers can help you gather what you need.

    If you think you qualify for SSDI or SSI, take these steps:

    Step #1: See if your health issue is in Social Security’s list of impairments.

    The SSA specifically lists many health issues on its website. If your medical condition is listed, you can get an idea of how Social Security evaluates disability claims like yours.

    But you can still qualify for benefits if your health problem isn’t listed as long as you meet Social Security’s general definition of disability.

    Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see your condition there or if your struggle is really a combination of multiple health issues that interfere with your ability to work.

    Another key part of qualifying for Social Security Disability doesn’t depend on having a certain diagnosis. Social Security will review your “residual functional capacity (RFC),” which is an assessment of basic activities you’re still able to do regardless of what medical conditions you have.

    Step #2: Organize your medical records.

    You’ll need plenty of medical documentation to back up what you say about how your health has stopped you from working.

    Gather these kinds of evidence:

    • A written diagnosis from your doctor
    • Results of lab tests
    • Imaging results like MRIs, X-rays and CT scans
    • Records of any other medical tests you’ve undergone
    • Reports of any medical procedures you’ve had
    • Information about all the treatments you’ve tried and if they helped
    • A list of prescription medications you take

    Step #3: Be ready to verify your work history or assets.

    Remember that SSDI is for people who have worked and paid into Social Security. Be prepared to give the SSA information about previous jobs, your income, your employment dates and your job duties.

    If you apply for SSI, you need to provide financial records showing that you meet the program’s strict income and asset limitations.

    It’s also a good idea to include any information about how you struggled to work due to your health issue and how your employers had to accommodate you on the job.

    If you needed extra breaks, a reduced workload or shorter hours due to your health, that could help you qualify for benefits.

    Step #4: Talk to an Ohio disability lawyer.

    It may seem a bit early to talk to a disability lawyer about your disability claim, but it’s a good idea to learn more about these benefits programs and how someone who knows this system can help you get financial relief.

    Getting disability benefits takes a long time. If you think that you have the slightest chance of qualifying for SSDI or SSI, you should start this process early.

    Initial consultations are free at HNB, so there’s little financial risk to talking to an attorney to see if you could qualify for disability.

    Why Work with an Ohio Social Security Disability Lawyer?

    Do you really need to get an HNB disability attorney to figure out if you qualify and apply for disability benefits?

    You’re not required to work with a lawyer, but there’s really no good reason to pursue benefits on your own.

    If you think you qualify for SSDI or SSI, we can help you figure out what to do next. You won’t have to pay an upfront fee or deal with a costly retainer each month if you want our assistance—we’re not that kind of lawyer.

    You don’t pay an attorney fee until you win benefits, no matter how long it takes.

    If you even think there’s a chance you could qualify for benefits, we can answer your questions, tell you what evidence you’ll need for a claim and help you learn more about how SSDI and SSI benefits differ.

    The Ohio Social Security Disability lawyers of Horenstein, Nicholson & Blumenthal have won more than $500 million in benefits and settlements for everyday Ohioans who needed compensation for hardships.

    We’re proud of our track record, and we’re ready to help you qualify for disability benefits so you can focus less on money stress and more on your health.

    Contact Us Today.

    Commonly Asked Questions About Qualifying for Disability in Ohio

    If you have questions about qualifying for disability benefits, our Ohio disability attorneys would be happy to answer them.

    Schedule a consultation about your needs. Read below for our answers to some of the most frequent questions people have about qualifying for disability.

    Who can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits?

    You can qualify for disability benefits if you have a health problem that’s serious enough to stop you from working any job for 12 months or longer.

    Social Security won’t just believe you. You’ll need evidence to back up your disability claim.

    Can I qualify for disability if I’m receiving other benefits, like unemployment, long-term disability or workers’ comp?

    You can qualify for other benefits while receiving Social Security Disability, but you should talk to an Ohio disability lawyer about how benefits like workers’ compensation and long-term disability could affect your SSDI or SSI payments.

    Can HNB help me with a long-term disability insurance claim, too?

    Yes. If you have private long-term disability insurance, like an ERISA policy through work, HNB disability attorneys can help you with a long-term disability claim in addition to Social Security Disability. Insurance companies often make it hard to claim the benefits you or your employer have been paying for.

    How do I know if my particular health problem qualifies for Social Security Disability?

    Social Security keeps a list of impairments that can qualify for disability, including mental health issues, musculoskeletal disorders and neurological diseases. If your health problem is included, you can see how Social Security evaluates claims like yours.

    If it’s not included, you can still qualify for benefits. You just have to prove in other ways that you meet the normal requirements—having a health issue that prevents you from working any job for 12 months or longer.

    What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?

    Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both offer monthly payments and health care coverage when you can’t work due to your health.

    SSDI is for people who worked and paid into the system, so you’ll need to verify your work history to qualify.

    SSI is a need-based program for people who can demonstrate low financial means. You can qualify even if you only worked part-time or if you never worked at all.

    Can I qualify for SSDI or SSI if I’m working?

    These benefits are for people who can’t work due to their health, but you can work a small amount when receiving them.

    You have to be careful not to work more than what Social Security deems “substantial gainful activity (SGA).” Working too many hours or earning too much can get you denied.

    The income limit to stay under Social Security’s SGA standard changes over time.

    A disability lawyer can look at your situation and give you an idea of your eligibility for benefits and what it will take to make a successful claim.

    Contact HNB to Start.