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Alabama SSD Benefits Lawyers Make the Process Easier
Working With the Government on Your Behalf
It is often expressed that disability benefits are instantly available to you when you become disabled. This is not true. An attorney at Donohoe & Stapleton, LLC stands ready to explain the process of obtaining Social Security disability to you.
To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you must demonstrate the following:
First, you must have a certain amount of work experience during the years before you became disabled. If you do not meet this history of earnings threshold, you may only be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. If you do meet this threshold, the dollar amount of compensation depends on your history of earnings.
Second, you must meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability. According to the SSA, you qualify for SSDI only if:
- You cannot do the work you did before you became disabled
- You cannot perform another job in your current medical condition
- Your doctor expects that your injury will last for at least one year or result in death.
There are delays between the date of your disability's onset and the date when your disability benefits begin. You are not entitled to SSDI payments for six months after the date of onset of your disability. Medicare payments begin 30 months after the start of your disability. The program also limits eligibility based on your monthly earning capacity. Our attorneys can explain the Social Security disability program to you in greater detail during an initial one-on-one consultation.
If You Are Ineligible for SSDI Benefits, You May Be Eligible for SSI Benefits
If you are disabled and continue to earn more than what the SSDI program allows because there is no financial alternative for your family, you may qualify for SSI benefits. The SSA will use a precise formula to calculate your eligibility based on your current earning capacity and current medical expenses. We will assess your case and help you explore your legal options, including alternative sources of income and healthcare options.
SSI benefits are available to disabled children or disabled adults who have limited access to resources and income and do not meet the earnings requirement for SSDI. To qualify for SSI benefits, you will need to show that your impairments keep you from obtaining substantially gainful employment, and your impairments can be expected to result in death or to last for at least 12 months.