Disability and Social Security Benefits
The Social Security Administration defines disability the same for the purposes of determining eligibility for either Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
To qualify to receive benefits under either the SSDI or SSI programs, a person must show inability to work on a sustained basis due to a disabling medical condition or combination of medical conditions. It is not enough to prove that you cannot perform the work you are accustomed to doing. You must prove that you cannot perform any type of work on a sustained basis. If you are age 50 or older and you have limited education and a background in physically strenuous work you may only need to show you are unable to perform.
Different types of medical conditions result in different types of limitations. If you are seeking legal help with your application for Social Security disability — or if you have already been denied benefits — it is important to get assistance from a lawyer or certified claimant's representative with a strong understanding of the medical aspect of claims for Social Security disability.
Mathis & Mathis, P.C. — Experienced Disability Advocates in Washington, DC
Since 1985, the small family law firm of Mathis & Mathis has helped thousands of people with disabling medical conditions get the Social Security disability benefits they deserve. We have extensive experience with reviewing medical records in light of the Social Security rules and determining whether additional medical opinions will help strengthen our clients' cases. We have worked with clients with medical conditions both common and extremely rare.
Some of the most common disability benefits applications are based on auto immune diseases, head injuries and orthopedic problems like lumbar disc disease, cervical disc disease, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and nerve impingement. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, reflex sympathetic dystrophy and chronic pain syndrome are also relatively common medical conditions that result in an inability to work, driving many sufferers to seek disability benefits from Social Security.
Our advocates have also helped clients obtain disability benefits based on less common medical conditions, such as: Sjogren's syndrome, Marfan's syndrome, Lyme disease, Epstein Barr syndrome, Cushing syndrome, Addison's disease, Hepatitis C, Graves' disease, Parkinson's disease and Crohn's disease.
Can I Qualify for Benefits if My Disability Is Based Solely on Mental or Emotional Problems? Yes. Social Security Administration regulations recognize that conditions such as depression, anxiety and other mental health problems can cause symptoms and limitations that are very disabling. In order to establish your disability based on these conditions you need to be in current treatment, and you need the support of your doctor. More frequently asked questions …
Contact Us for a Free Consultation and Legal Help With No Up-Front Fees
At Mathis & Mathis, we represent our clients in disability benefits applications and appeals on a contingency fee basis. We do not require up-front fees before we begin work on your case, and we accept attorney fees only if we win your case.
To schedule a confidential appointment to discuss your case, call toll-free 888-309-9781, or use our online contact form.
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Every legal matter is different. The outcome of each legal case depends upon many factors, including the facts of the case, and no attorney can guarantee a positive result in any particular case.
