Suffolk County Social Security Disability

In addition to the physical pain, a difficult aspect of suffering a serious injury or illness is the inability to work. For example, if you are injured in a car accident because another driver chose to speed through red light and collided with your vehicle, you may very well suffer a serious injury such as a back, neck or head injury. These types of injuries can be debilitating, long-lasting, and even permanent. As a result you may have to miss weeks or months of work. In extreme, but not uncommon cases, victims of serious accidents are permanently disabled and are not able to return to work at all. So how does a victim who is seriously injured and unable to work pay his (or her) bills and support his family? The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides disability benefits to those who are unable to work for an extended period. However, just because you were injured does not mean that you will automatically be approved for disability benefits. Deserving applicants are routinely turned down. In order to ensure that your application has the best chance of being approved, contact an experienced Suffolk County Social Security disability lawyer.

The SSA offers 2 different programs for disabled individuals: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). In order for you to be eligible for either program, you must have a disability as defined by the Social Security Administration. You must provide proof of your medical condition, when it started, how your condition limits your activities, and what treatment you have received. SSA does not provide short-term disability benefits. You must be able to prove that your disability will last for at least 12 months.

The approval rate of SSDI and SSI is very low. The overwhelming majority of initial applications are denied for a variety of reasons. However, there is an appeal process and the number of applications that are approved upon review is significantly greater. Having an experienced Social Security disability lawyer serving Suffolk County review your application will improve your chances of being approved, as experienced attorneys understand the application process and SSA rules and procedures.

Social Security Disability Insurance. In order to be eligible for SSDI, you must have a work history, and you must have paid FICA taxes. The amount of the monthly benefit is based on your average earnings and the size of your household. There is a 5-month waiting period before SSDI payments begin. Should your condition improve such that you are able to work again, your SSDI payments will cease.

Supplemental Security Income. SSI provides benefits for disabled people who are low-income and do not have sufficient work history to be eligible for SSDI. If your income and resource total exceed $2000, you will not be eligible for SSI benefits. The amount of benefit is based on your living situation and your income.

New York's workers' compensation laws state that injured parties are entitled to compensation if they sustain a work-related injury. This means that in cases where the injury or illness is work-related, the victim may be eligible for both workers' compensation benefits as well as Social Security disability. However, the law does now allow workers to receive the full amount of both types of benefits at the same time. The amount of Social Security benefits will be offset by the amount of worker's compensation benefits received.

In addition, it is important to note that there are some cases in which a victim of a work-related injury may also be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person whose negligence caused the accident.

If you suffer a serious injury or a debilitating illness that prevents you from working for an extended period, you may be eligible for benefits from the Social Security Administration. However, the application process is complex and many individuals are denied. The likelihood of approval is substantially higher if an experienced Social Security disability attorney serving clients in Suffolk County helps you through the claims process. 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. 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.