DISABLED AMERICANS LIVING IN MISSOURI

If you live in Missouri and you need to file a new Application for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or you’ve been denied recently and want Attorney representation in your appeal, then THE SOCIAL SECURITY LAW GROUP is here to help.

We’ve helped Disabled Missourians win their disability claims going back as far as 1994! Our experienced staff and Attorneys have represented clients whose home zip codes are serviced by the Missouri Local Offices of SSA listed below.

If your case is denied and a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is required, we will represent you at your hearing. Our initial consultation is free and you never pay any fees or expenses unless we win your case!

CALL 800-909-SSLG TO SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY

or

CLICK HERE TO GET THE PROCESS STARTED

Missouri Social Security Disability Lawyer

Social security benefits provide critical financial support to those people who cannot work due to a serious disability. At the Social Security Law Group, we help people with their initial application as well as with appeals if their application is denied. Please contact one of our Missouri Social Security Disability lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the disability insurance benefit program. SSA will review your application and make a determination.

To receive benefits, you must have a qualifying disability and have earned enough work credits. A qualifying disability is any that prevents you from being gainfully employed, and it can be a physical or mental disability. However, it must last for at least a year or result in your death.

When it comes to work credits, people typically need 40 credits, which is equal to 10 years of work, with at least half of those credits having been earned in the past decade. However, there are exceptions depending on your age. There are no income limits when it comes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Some people who qualify for SSDI also qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is need based. You can apply for SSI at the same time as you apply for SSDI.

The Application Process in Missouri

The process requires the following:

• File an application. You can do this online at the SSA website or visit one of the 28 field offices in the state. You can also call 1-800-772-1213. Bring required documents and information about your work history and disability.
• Receive a determination in 90-120 days. You will receive a letter approving your application or denying it.
• Bring a Request for Reconsideration if denied. You have 60 days from the date of your denial to file a Request for Reconsideration. SSA will take a fresh look at your application and decide whether you qualify. This process can take up to 6 months.
• Request a hearing if denied again. This hearing is before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is vital that you properly supplement the record with all information, because you typically don’t get a chance to later.
• Bring subsequent appeals. Many applicants are approved on appeal. If not, you can continue to appeal to the Appeals Council and ultimately a federal court.

One of our St. Louis SSDI lawyers will be happy to help you in this process. We can help you gather relevant documents, such as medical records and medical source statements, and can present evidence in such a way that our clients have a good chance of receiving benefits before an ALJ.

This Can Be a Lengthy Process

Few people in Missouri are approved for benefits on their initial application. Only a small percentage prevail on reconsideration, either. Many of our clients only receive SSDI after appearing before an ALJ.

Fortunately, an applicant can receive benefits retroactively to the date that they were disabled. So even if you must wait 18 months to get benefits, you can still receive them back to the date you suffered a qualifying disability. Claimants should be aware, however, that either SSA or the ALJ could change this “onset date.” Meet with one of our Missouri Social Security Disability lawyers to review how much you might receive.

Preparing for a Disability Hearing

Our St. Louis SSDI lawyers have appeared at many hearings, and we can prepare our clients. Hearings are held either in person or via a Virtual Teleconference Hearing.

The courtrooms used for in-person hearings are much smaller than what you might see if you walked into federal or county court. Present in the room with you will be the ALJ, a court reporter, and a vocational expert. Our clients must testify at the hearing, and we will walk you through what questions you can expect.

The ALJ will have reviewed your file, including your medical records, and will have questions for you. Typically, the ALJ wants to know about your past work and your current life, including present limitations.

The vocational expert will also testify about what kind of jobs a person with your disability might be able to perform. This testimony is critical to give the ALJ a sense of whether you can currently perform meaningful work despite your limitations.

Once the hearing is over, the ALJ takes the issue under advisement and issues a ruling 3-6 months later.

Speak with One of Our Missouri Social Security Disability Lawyers

If you are struggling with physical, emotional, or psychological limitations, we can help you with the SSDI application process. Our lawyers represent clients on contingency, which means you do not need to pay any upfront legal fees. We only take 25% of your back-pay benefits if we are successful, up to $6,000.

We serve St. Louis and the entire state of Missouri, so contact us today. We offer a free consultation.