Russellville, AR Social Security Disability Lawyer

To receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments in Russellville, your eligibility will depend on your ability to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines “disabled” as being unable to work, which means if you fall under this definition, you will be unable to go to work.

When evaluating your ability to work, the SSA takes into account your current income. If you are able to support yourself financially, the SSA might not classify you as “disabled.” The income limits for disability benefits are adjusted annually by the SSA. This means that if you are found to be incapable of working, you might be eligible for gradually increasing benefits.

For a free case review with our Social Security Disability attorneys, contact us today at (479) 316-0438.

Determining Social Security Disability Benefits in Russellville, AR

To receive disability payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA), applicants must meet several rounds of qualifications in order to prove that they fit the definition of “disabled.” Though having a qualifying condition is important, the severity of the disability is even more crucial. In order for the SSA to accept an individual’s condition as “disabling,” it must be severe enough to prevent them from working. The SSA might make exceptions for those with conditions not listed as long as they are equally as severe as the accepted conditions.

Determining the Severity of Your Condition

When determining if a condition is “severe,” the SSA considers your ability to work. If you are unable to move or transport yourself, it is likely that you cannot work. Additionally, if you require assistance in completing tasks like applications, you might qualify for SSD. The SSA will review your work capabilities and prior experience to determine if you can perform another job. For example, if you previously worked at a desk job and then transitioned to construction work, you might not be able to perform construction tasks due to disability, but desk work might still be possible. Qualifying for SSD is likely if you are completely unable to work due to a medical condition.

Other Methods for Determining Eligibility for Benefits

In Russellville, it is possible to apply for disability benefits even if you are capable of performing certain work-related tasks. The Social Security Administration takes into account various factors and does not make black-and-white determinations regarding disability. They recognize that certain disabilities might be more compatible with certain jobs. Therefore, individuals who are able to work to some extent are not automatically disqualified from receiving disability benefits. The SSA evaluates an individual’s earning potential, and eligibility is determined based on this assessment.

Calculating Social Security Disability Benefits in Russellville, AR

To qualify for benefits under Social Security Disability Insurance, it is necessary to have paid taxes into Social Security for a minimum of five years within a ten-year span. If you have not worked for at least five years or contributed to the system, you will not be entitled to receive any benefits.

How the Social Security Administration Calculates Your Benefits

If you have contributed to the system and are eligible for disability insurance, it typically terminates after five years of not being employed. In order to receive SSDI benefits, you must prove that you met the disability requirements prior to the expiration of your insurance. The timelines for this are determined on a case-by-case basis, considering each individual’s distinct employment background.

Your monthly SSDI benefit is calculated by the Social Security Administration using a formula. Generally, SSDI payments range around $1,358 monthly. The amount of Social Security taxes paid throughout your life determines your monthly SSDI payment.

To determine your monthly benefit for SSDI, the SSA uses your “average indexed monthly earnings” (AIME), which is based on your average covered earnings over a few years. Your AIME is then used in a formula to calculate your “primary insurance amount” (PIA), which is the monthly payment you will receive.

How to Determine Your Primary Insurance Amount

Calculating your PIA from the SSA can be done through various methods. One option is to use the Online Benefits Calculator provided by the Social Security Administration to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits and PIA. Alternatively, you can choose to create an account with the SSA online, where you will be guided through the necessary steps to determine your benefits.

There are various reasons why your monthly SSDI payment might be subject to deductions. The amount of your payment could be reduced by the SSA due to income earned from employment, payments from Workers’ Compensation, receiving retirement benefits from the SSA, or benefits from other insurance programs.

Reasons for Denying Social Security Disability Benefits in Russellville, AR

Receiving a technical denial for SSI or SSDI can happen for a variety of reasons. It is important to note that this denial does not necessarily mean that the person is not disabled or does not have a serious medical condition. Rather, the SSA might have found that there was no medical evidence to review or that the individual did not meet a specific technical requirement. Here are some common reasons for a technical denial of benefits:

Failure to Provide Medical Evidence or Follow Treatment Program

Many disability claims are rejected due to insufficient medical evidence that proves the existence of a disability. It is not that the organization handling the claim does not believe the claimant, but rather that they cannot confirm the disability based on the information provided. It is crucial to include all necessary information during the initial claim or appeal process to avoid this issue.

If medical care was received, there might be various reasons for non-compliance with doctor’s orders or treatment programs. One reason could be the inability to afford medication or treatments, causing a lack of follow-through with physician recommendations. This might negatively impact the determination of Social Security disability benefits by an administrative law judge. Therefore, it is important to strive for the completion of the treatment plan to have the necessary records to support the claim.

Monthly Earnings are Too High

Those who receive SSI and SSDI must follow monthly income limits referred to as substantial gainful income (SGA). Although all disabled individuals must comply with these limits, legally blind individuals are allowed to earn more on an average monthly basis before becoming ineligible for benefits.

The Social Security benefits income limit for non-blind individuals will be set at $1,470 in 2023. As for blind individuals, the SGA limit is $2,460 per month. It is crucial to stay aware of these limits since the SSA will periodically raise them.

Asset Limits Have Been Exceeded

Individuals with limited assets and resources who require assistance can benefit from the SSI program. However, those seeking SSI benefits must go through household asset “means testing.” As part of this means test, SSI beneficiaries are restricted to a maximum of $2,000 in assets for individuals and $3,000 for couples. Since most beneficiaries have no other sources of income, they typically receive the basic monthly SSI benefit, which currently stands at $914 for an individual and $1,371 for a couple as of 2023.

Our Russellville, AR Social Security Disability Lawyers Can Help

Call our Social Security Disability lawyers at (479) 316-0438 to receive your free case assessment today.