Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Lawyer

For Help Getting Your Social Security Disability Application Approved, Choose Our SSDI Claim Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, to Handle Paperwork, Documentation, and Appeals

For individuals whose medical conditions affect their ability to work, programs like Social Security Disability Insurance are a much-needed lifeline. Without them, people who are unable to work could not provide for themselves or meet their basic needs. Unfortunately, accessing the benefits you’re entitled to is often a difficult, lengthy battle, and in the meantime, you’re going without the payments you need. Whether you’re just beginning your application or have faced denials or other challenges, the guidance and support of a Pittsburgh social security disability lawyer at AlpernSchubert, P.C. can help you streamline the process and secure the benefits you deserve.

Our firm stands up for the injured, including workers hurt on the job and individuals whose health conditions limit their ability to work. We have a long history of securing benefits through both government programs and private insurance coverage, so our clients can move forward with the full resources they’re entitled to. Success in SSDI benefits claims requires you to present the strongest possible case for approval, thoroughly documenting your health conditions and demonstrating the extent to which your injury or illness impacts your ability to work.

We offer a free, private consultation to ensure that every disabled individual has the opportunity to understand their legal rights and what benefits may be available to them. To discuss your unique situation with a knowledgeable and compassionate SSDI claim attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, at no cost and with no obligation, contact us today.

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Understanding Your Right to Social Security Disability Benefits in Pittsburgh, PA

For the disabled, receiving benefits can mean the difference between being able to afford basic needs and having to worry constantly about having shelter, food, and other essentials. What benefits you may be eligible for depends on your medical condition, its impact on your ability to work, and other factors.

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance?

Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, is a program through the federal Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides benefits to qualifying disabled applicants. Generally, you need a sufficient work history, as well as a documented disability, to qualify for SSDI benefits.

Types of Social Security Disability Benefits Available

Through SSDI, qualifying applicants can receive:

• Monthly benefit payments based on your pre-disability work history
• Medical coverage through the Medicare program

Depending on the circumstances, you may qualify for other types of benefits, such as:

• Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, which provides needs-based benefits that are subject to income and asset limits through a program that does not impose work history requirements
• Disabled adult child, or DAC, benefits, which are available to individuals who became disabled before age 22 and are dependent on a parent’s Social Security benefits
• Widow(er) benefits, which may be paid to disabled widows or widowers who meet specific eligibility criteria and which are determined by the deceased spouse’s work history
• Family benefits, which may be available under certain circumstances to family members such as spouses, children, and ex-spouses of a person who qualifies for Social Security Disability Insurance payments

When you’re disabled, your ability to afford even the basics, like housing, food, and medical care, depends on receiving every benefit you’re entitled to. At AlpernSchubert, P.C., we assess each client’s unique circumstances to determine exactly what benefits they qualify to receive, because we know that you deserve nothing less.

Who Qualifies for SSDI Benefits?

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you generally need:

• Disability: Only a disability that either impacts your ability to work (or to earn income that constitutes “substantial gainful activity”) for at least a year or that will eventually result in death qualifies you to receive SSDI benefits. Examples of accepted disabilities include blindness and neurological disorders, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory conditions, musculoskeletal disorders, and mental disorders that are severe enough to prevent you from working.
• Work history: For most applicants, you must have a history of working for at least five out of the last 10 years to qualify for benefits under SSDI. However, disabled workers under age 24 may qualify with a shorter work history.

The rules concerning eligibility for SSDI benefits and the benefit amounts a person is entitled to are very fact-specific. The Social Security Administration will look closely at factors such as your work history, your reported income, the condition you’re claiming, and how it impacts your ability to work.

The Challenges of Getting Social Security Disability Payments in Pittsburgh

Many deserving applicants are surprised when their first Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim is denied. In fact, the majority of initial applications are rejected. This isn’t necessarily because the applicant isn’t disabled or doesn’t qualify for benefits, but rather because the Social Security Administration applies strict standards and requires detailed proof of disability.

Why Most SSDI Claims Are Denied

Some of the most common reasons for early denials of SSDI benefit claims include:

• Insufficient medical evidence: Incomplete medical records, poor documentation of ongoing treatment, or a treating physician’s failure to clearly explain functional limitations can result in application denials on the basis of a lack of evidence that the medical condition prevents you from working.
• Failure to demonstrate inability to work: For your claim for SSDI benefits to be approved, you need to establish that your disability has resulted in an inability to perform any substantial gainful activity, not just a previous job, and that you can’t simply work with limitations or perform a different type of work.
• Lack of consistent medical treatment: Gaps in treatment or failure to follow prescribed care can lead the SSA to question the severity of a condition, weakening your claim for benefits even if your disability is legitimate.
• Technical and non-medical issues: Some applications never reach the medical review stage due to other eligibility concerns or technical issues. Whether your denial is the result of insufficient work credits, earning too much income while applying, incomplete forms, or minor mistakes on paperwork, a professional’s insights can help you figure out your next steps.
• Prior denials without new evidence: After a previous denial, you must present new medical evidence or otherwise address the issues that caused the earlier rejection when you re-file your application. The SSA typically denies repeat applications that do not provide updated documentation.
• A strict definition of disability: The SSA’s definition of disability is more rigid than many expect. Conditions must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, and they must severely limit your ability to work. Conditions that fluctuate or are difficult to measure can be harder to substantiate in an initial application.

Every year, more claims for SSDI benefits are denied than approved. The SSA has historically reported initial approval rates of just 21% on average and final approval rates upon reconsideration and hearings of 31% on average. More than two-thirds of applications are denied.

The Difference an Experienced SSDI Claim Attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, Can Make

On your own, meeting the demands of the application process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re already facing serious health issues that complicate every aspect of your life. Having an attorney handle your application for you means being able to understand exactly how your condition relates to the SSA’s strict definition of disability and to anticipate and address challenges, such as a lack of consistent medical treatment.

With our law firm representing your interests, you don’t have to worry about gathering documentation of your medical conditions yourself or about a claim that fails to properly establish your inability to work. We handle every aspect of your application, from assessing your eligibility to providing effective, compelling evidence of the significant impact your injury or illness has on your life and your capabilities for gainful employment.

We know how to streamline the process through extensive documentation, carefully managed paperwork, and knowledgeable preparation. If challenges do arise, we have the skills to identify issues, launch well-founded appeals, and represent you in hearings if necessary.

How AlpernSchubert, P.C., Can Help You Prove Disability and Benefits Eligibility

What does it mean to have a professional handling your SSDI claim? Representation by an experienced Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer at AlpernSchubert, P.C., ensures that you’ll never struggle through the process on your own, trying to make sense of complex forms, compile the considerable medical documentation required, and establish how your health condition keeps you from working.

At AlpernSchubert, P.C., we support clients at any stage of the process of pursuing SSDI benefits. You can count on us to:

• Evaluate your eligibility for benefits, including SSDI, SSI, and other types of benefits
• Prepare and file your initial application, along with medical documentation that substantiates the extent of your health condition and its impact on your ability to work
• Intervene in the case of delays or denials by developing effective strategies, filing the paperwork required for reconsideration, and representing you in appeals hearings

This process is too difficult, and the stakes too high, to risk an outcome that doesn’t reflect what you truly deserve. Our mission is to secure our clients every benefit they’re entitled to.

Why Choose AlpernSchubert, P.C., as Your Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Lawyer

Throughout the region, people in need of a Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer turn to AlpernSchubert, P.C., based on our background in legal practice, our commitment to helping clients, and our offer of free, confidential consultations.

More Than a Century of Combined Legal Experience

Our seasoned attorneys bring over 100 years of combined experience to every case we handle. Each lawyer in our firm has attained widespread recognition in our local legal community. We draw on our extensive background in practicing law and our in-depth knowledge of legal processes, procedures, and requirements in the Pittsburgh area to prepare our clients’ claims for the most successful outcomes possible.

A Focus on Making a Difference, Not Just Making Money

At AlpernSchubert, P.C., every one of our attorneys began practicing law to help people, not to chase money. That’s why we focus on representing people who have been injured, wronged, or suffered disabilities that limit their ability to work instead of representing corporations. We do things differently at our firm, even when our approach costs us money, because our number-one priority is putting our clients in the best position possible.

A Complimentary Case Review to Ensure You Understand Your Options

When you’re face-to-face with the SSDI claims process, you’re likely to encounter questions, challenges, and considerable worries. Having a trusted resource with professional knowledge of this system and an understanding of your specific circumstances is critical. We provide free consultations so that everyone who is pursuing a claim for SSDI benefits has the opportunity to get their questions answered, understand the complications they may face, and consider whether professional assistance is right for them.

Contact a Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Lawyer at AlpernSchubert, P.C., Today for a Free Consultation

Your future depends on receiving the SSDI benefits you deserve, and the success of your application depends on thorough documentation and extensive preparation. Don’t approach an application process with such a low success rate without the full advantages of professional guidance and hands-on support. Having an attorney on your side can improve outcomes, reduce delays, and minimize the stress involved in obtaining SSDI benefits.

For help from a dedicated SSDI claim attorney in Pittsburgh, PA, contact AlpernSchubert, P.C. online or call 412-556-2326 today for a free consultation.