Social Security Disability (SSD) is a federal program. It is designed for people who have worked in the past but are now unable to work because of a physical, mental or a combination conditions. Your disability payments are based solely on what you paid into the system through Social Security payroll taxes. The longer you worked and the more you earned, the bigger your checks (up to a maximum).

For purposes of SSD, you are either fully disabled or not. There are no benefits for “partial disability” or pro-rated benefits for a degree of disability. Disability is defined by the Social Security Administration as a condition that will prevent you from working at any job for 12 months or more.

You do not have to wait for the full 12 months before applying for or receiving benefits. Benefits could begin after six months from the date of disability if your claim is approved.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Benefits SSI is a separate program administered by the Social Security Administration for people who have never worked or do not have enough work credits for SSD. It pays a fixed benefit, which the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may supplement.

You can apply for disability benefits on your own. Most initial applications are rejected by the Social Security Administration, and truthfully there is not much a lawyer can do to prevent this. But don’t make the mistake of giving up.

You have an automatic right to appeal a denied claim, and that’s where the experienced team of Martin Law come in. We have a high rate of success in appeal hearings. We encourage you to contact us at any point after applying for disability benefits, or when you receive a Notice of Denial. Even if you are considering an application for Social Security Disability, you can call us to discuss your rights.

Our firm serves disability claimants in the Philadelphia area and statewide throughout Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, Delaware and beyond. Call 1-888-722-6671 for a FREE consultation.