Bronx Social Security Disability

Learning that you have a serious ailment or injury that will prevent you from working can be devastating. You are concerned about not only your health but also about the financial stability of you and your family. To help people who are unable to work due to a disability, the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two disability benefit programs, the Social Security Disability Insurance program (SSDI) and the Supplemental Security Income disability program (SSI). Each program offers monthly benefit payments to those who are disabled. Eligibility for SSDI is based on your work record, while eligibility for SSI is based on income. Recipients of SSDI and SSI disability benefits have a wide range of conditions including mental health disorders, orthopedic injuries, sleep disorders, fibromyalgia, headaches, blood disorders, diabetes mellitus, cancer, asthma disability and hepatitis. In addition, if you were hurt in a workplace accident such as a construction accident, scaffold accident, crane injury, or slip and fall accident, you may be entitled to social security disability benefits as well as workers' compensation benefits. If you are suffering from a condition that is so debilitating that you can no longer work, contact an experienced Bronx Social Security Disability lawyer who understands the Social Security disability claims process and will help you receive the benefits you need.

The SSDI program provides benefits to people who have a history of employment or self-employment, have paid FICA taxes, and now cannot work due to a medical condition such as a brain injury that is expected to last a year or result in death. The SSA has its own definition of disability that is very strict. Unlike some other disability programs, SSDI benefits are not available if you have a partial disability or a short-term disability. However, SSDI benefits are also available to spouses, former spouses, and children under very specific circumstances. After two years of receiving SSDI, you will automatically qualify for Medicare benefits.

If your application for SSDI is approved, the amount of your monthly benefit will depend on your earnings history. The average range is from $300 to $2,200 per month. However, that amount may be reduced if you are receiving other governmental benefits, such as worker's compensation benefits.

The SSI disability program offers disability benefits for those who have a low income and who have few assets. To qualify you must have a limited income and have assets with a value of no more than $2,000 for an individual or no more than $3,000 for a couple. There may be additional state requirements to be eligible for SSI disability. If you meet these requirements you will receive monthly SSI disability benefits payments. The amount of benefit includes both a federal amount and a New York supplement. The amount may vary depending on your living arrangements.

Keep in mind that you may be entitled to other compensation. For example, depending on where and how your accident occurred, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against the person responsible for your injuries and receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. It is important to contact an experienced attorney to discuss all facets of your case in order to ensure that you receive the maximum compensation and benefits available to you from all possible sources.

If you are seriously injured in an accident or suffer from a debilitating illness, you may be eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits. Because applying for such benefits can be complicated, it is important that you are represented by someone with experience. The staff at the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates understands the type of evidence and medical records that the SSA requires to prove the existence of a disability. We have successfully represented clients filing claims for Social Security disability benefits based on a wide range of conditions and injuries such as those that result from workplace accidents. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.