Social Security Disability
Has your claim for Social Security Disability been delayed or denied?
Are you overwhelmed by the Social Security Disability system and think you need legal representation?
Buckley, Mendleson, Criscione and Quinn can help you get what you deserve in the sometimes frustrating Social Security Disability system and ensure that your rights are protected. One of BMCQ’s partners, Ira Mendleson, has 30 years’ experience in handling Social Security cases and limits his practice to the field of Social Security Disability. Ira and his team are ready to help you get the benefits you have earned.
Link to informational Social Security Disability Video
Social Security Disability FAQs
What is Social Security Disability?
There are two types of Social Security Disability (SSD) programs. The first is Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a person who is disabled but has not worked enough to qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. The second type is Social Security Disability, which is for those who are disabled and have worked and put enough money in the Social Security system to qualify. To be eligible for SSD, you must have worked for five years within the ten-year period before you were disabled. You have to be disabled under the SSD definition of disability, meaning your disability must be in effect for at least a year and prevent you from performing not only your regular work, but any work for which you might be suitable, considering your age, education, and former work background.
Do I need to have been injured at work to be eligible for Social Security Disability?
No, a work-related condition is not one of the requirements for receiving Social Security Disability benefits. At BMCQ we represent many SSD clients who have been injured at work and are eligible for Workers’ Compensation, but whose disability is sufficiently long-term as a result of that injury, having lasted more than a year, to make them eligible for SSD as well as Workers’ Compensation.
If I think I have a Social Security Disability claim, what do I need to do?
The first step is to file a claim with the Social Security Administration by filling out an application either online at www.socialsecurity.gov or in person at a Social Security Administration office. This claim will be either denied or accepted after a process that may take several months.
Should I get an attorney if my Social Security Disability claim is denied?
If your SSD claim is denied, a hearing can be requested. It is a good idea to get legal representation for the hearing process. Individuals who represent themselves at the hearing level, which is the critical stage of a case, win about 40% of the time, while those who have a representative win about 60% of the time; these figures are consistent year to year throughout the country. With a 50% better chance of winning with an attorney, it makes sense to have legal representation in SSD cases. Call BMCQ 866.979.BMCQ (2627) for a FREE consultation.
How is the attorney compensated?
Attorney’s fees are contingent fees, meaning they are conditioned upon you being successful in your case. If you are successful, there will be back benefits owed to you. The Social Security Administration will automatically take out 25% of that amount and send it to the attorney to cover the legal fee, while the other 75% is sent to you. It is a one-time fee, for back benefits only.