Social Security Lawyers in St. Augustine, Florida | St. Augustine, FL Social Security Attorneys | St. Johns County, Florida SSI SSDI Law Firms

Should You Speak with a Social Security Attorney in St. Augustine, Florida?
 

Are you not able to work because of a disability? The good news is Social Security can provide much-needed relief to qualifying individual. If you qualify for benefits, you may be entitled to monthly checks from the federal government to help cover expenses while you are unable to work due to your disability. Some may qualify for other assistance, such as: medical care coverage, food stamps, and other assistance from the state government.  If you are afflicted by a disability that prevents you from working, it may be time to talk with a Social Security lawyer now. Contact an experienced St. Augustine Social Security lawyer today by filling out the form on the website.
 

Your SSI or SSDI Application: Get it Right the First Time
 

If you have already applied for Social Security benefits and your claim was denied, you are among the majority. Roughly 65% - 75% of Social Security applications are not approved annually. If you are disabled, you will want to make sure you effectively communicate the nature of your injury to the Social Security review board. Often, the best way to do this is to hire an experienced Social Security attorney in St. Augustine. Having the aid of a skilled professional who understands the best tactics for winning your social security claim cannot work to your detriment. Successful claimants receive critical monthly payments from the federal government. SSI recipients can receive a monthly payment, food stamps, and potentially Medicaid to cover health care costs. SSDI recipients receive monthly payments based on the amount they paid into the system, among other factors. Also, SSDI recipients sometimes qualify for Medicare.
 

I don’t have any money! How do I pay a skilled St. Augustine, FL Social Security lawyer?
 

If you believe that you are not able to afford a social security attorney, think again. They are not as expensive as you may think. Why? Social Security lawyers only get paid if you get paid. This fee structure is called a “contingency” fee. The Social Security Administration limits how much a Social Security lawyer can charge clients. Attorneys representing clients before the Social Security Administration are statutorily limited to charging a maximum of 25% of back pay awarded to you (up to a max of $6,000). Basically, what this means is that the lawyer can only charge you up to $6,000 for representing you in a Social Security matter – and often the amount is far less. Don’t wait.  To contact an experienced St. Augustine Social Security lawyer today and start the ball rolling on your Social Security claim all you have to do is fill out the form on the webpage.
 

Who qualifies for Social Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)
 

SSI (Social Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are two separate programs under the umbrella term “Social Security” that pay a benefit to claimants who are disabled. A qualifying disability for Social Security benefits usually must either prevent you from working for a year or more or result in death. While both the SSI and SSDI programs are federal disability programs, they are quite different from each other.
 

1.    How is disability defined in St. Augustine, Florida? - In order to receive Social Security disability benefits, you must meet the Social Security Administration's
        standard for disability.
        a.    The term disability is defined as being unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” [SGA] due to a of a physical or mental impairment which has lasted
                - or is expected to last - for a minimum of 12 months, or is expected to result in death.
2.    Is working in St. Augustine, Florida a factor in obtaining Social Security disability benefits? - If you are working in St. Augustine and the work meets the definition of
       substantial gainful activity, you are considered able to work and, therefore, you are not disabled and would not qualify for Social Security disability benefits.
       In 2012, if you earn more than $1010 per month (after taxes), you are probably not eligible for Social Security, unless there special circumstances exist.
3.    Do You Have a Severe Impairment? - In order to be considered severely impaired, you must have a medical problem that significantly limits your physical or
       mental ability to perform basic work activities. The impairment must be expected to last for 12 months or result in death.
4.    Does Your Medical Condition Match One of SSA’s Listed Impairments? - The Social Security Administration (SSA) has promulgated a list of medical conditions
        ["Listing of Impairments."] of such great severity that the SSA considers people who with the conditions disabled;
        1.    If your condition is not included in the SSA's Listing of Impairments, you have to ask yourself the following question in regard to obtaining Social Security
               Disability Benefits:
               1.  Am I able to do the same type of work I was able to do before the onset of the disability? - If the SSA determines that you are able to continue doing the same
                    work as you did before your medical condition you may have difficulty proving eligibility. The measure of how capable you are at doing your job after the
                   onset of your disability as opposed to before the onset of the disability is called the Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). In determining your eligibility for
                   benefits, the SSA compares your current RFC with the physical and mental demands of your past jobs. If you are physically and mentally able to do a job that
                   you have held within the last fifteen years, then SSA considers you "not disabled." If you are not able to perform any of your past jobs,
                   then ask yourself:
5.    Despite Your Medical Condition, Can You Do Other Work? - If you are unable to perform work similar to what you have done in the past, then the SSA will
       determine whether you are able to perform other types of work rather than collect benefits.
 

Can Children in St. Augustine, Florida Qualify for Disability Benefits? Yes, but What is the Criteria?
 

Financially, needy children under age 18 who have serious medical conditions may be eligible for Children's SSI. A child is disabled for SSI if the child is not working and earning more than the SGA level and has a medical condition or combination of conditions that cause "marked and severe functional limitations." Medical evidence documenting the child's medical condition is essential.
 

SSDI - Contact a Skilled St. Augustine, Florida Disability Insurance Lawyer As Soon As Possible
 

If an American is disabled and has previously paid into the social security system through their taxes, he or she may qualify for SSDI. In addition, the government also requires you to have worked a percentage of the previous years, depending on your age. Some SSDI claimants also qualify for Medicare if they are disabled under the SSDI program for 2 years. Learn more about how the law applies to your case by contacting an experienced St. Augustine SSDI lawyer.
 

Supplemental Security Income: A Welfare-based Program
 

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is welfare based – this means that you do not have to have a work history in order to qualify for SSI benefits. Successful SSI claimants will receive a monthly benefit check from the government to help with life’s necessities. In order to qualify for SSI benefits, you must be disabled and make very little or no money. If you qualify for SSI, you may also qualify for medical care through Medicaid. To learn whether you qualify for SSI, contact an experienced St. Augustine Social Security attorney. All you have to do is fill out the form on this page.
 

Proving a Disability: The Process of Applying for Social Security and Appealing a Review Board Decision – St. Augustine, FL Social Security Disability Appeal Lawyers
 

Applicants can begin the process in a number of different ways: online, over the phone, and in person by visiting a local Social Security office. Expect to wait between four and six months for a determination of eligibility.  You can have your case reviewed by an appeal panel if you are initially denied social security benefits. Having an attorney to represent you in the appeal is very preferable. Contact an St. Augustine Social Security attorney today to discuss your appeal.
 

Below is a list of some of the illnesses and injuries that have qualified for a disability under Social Security:
 

Local SSA Office in St. Augustine, FL
 

Low Cost Hospitals in St. Augustine, Florida
 

Pharmacies in St. Augustine, FL
 

St. Augustine Weather (Monthly Averages)
 

St. Augustine Social Security Attorneys serve clients throughout Northeastern Florida including Hastings, Marineland, St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Bakersville, Elkton, Flagler Estates, Fruit Cove, Mill Creek, Sawgrass, St. Johns, Switzerland, Vilano Beach and Vermont Heights and other communities in St. Johns County.