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Social Security Disability Lawyer in Raleigh, NC
Denied. That is not what you want to hear when you are disabled, can’t go back to work, and have turned to the government for assistance. In Raleigh, an application for Social Security Disability benefits can take five or more months to pass through the initial review process. And nationally, only 37% of applications for Social Security Disability benefits are approved initially.
Our Raleigh disability attorneys can help you apply for Social Security Disability benefits or appeal the decision if your claim has been denied.
Meet Rick Fleming, head of our Social Security Disability department. Rick is a NC State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law, and he and his team are committed to helping our clients with disabilities fight for the benefits they may deserve.
Read how Rick helped Lois, a client with disabilities who was unable to return to work. If you have questions about Social Security Disability, one of our team members can try to help you find answers. Call 1-866-900-7078 today for a free case evaluation.
What Are the Different Types of Social Security Disability Benefits?
Great question. The Social Security Administration manages two programs that provide benefits to qualifying individuals who have a disability.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly financial benefits to people who have worked a certain number of years, paid Social Security taxes on their earnings, and have developed a qualifying disability.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may provide monthly financial assistance to low-income people with disabilities who have never worked, or who have not worked very much, as well as to people over the age of 65.
So while SSDI and SSI are both federal programs that potentially offer cash benefits to qualifying disabled people, they each have different financial eligibility requirements. Another difference between the two programs is that SSI is funded by general tax revenues while SSDI is funded from payroll taxes. If you are disabled and are unclear about what disability benefits may be available to you and how much you might receive if your disability claim is approved, consult with a disability lawyer in Raleigh, NC. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, our attorneys will review your case to see if we can help. Get a free case evaluation today.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for Social Security Disability?
To be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security for a certain amount of time and have a disability that meets the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability.
Note: this definition does not include partial disability or short-term disability.
You may be considered disabled under Social Security if:
- You can no longer perform the work that you did before.
- It is decided that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition.
- Your disability is expected to last for at least 1 year or is likely to result in death.
What Happens After I Qualify for Social Security Disability?
Once it is determined that you meet the basic eligibility requirements for SSI or SSDI, your application is then sent to North Carolina’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) agency in Raleigh. This agency makes the initial decision about whether you are disabled as well as decisions concerning continuing disabilities. Several of our paralegals have previously worked at DDS as examiners who were involved in conducting continuing disability reviews and reconsiderations.
What Should I Do if My Social Security Disability Claim Has Been Denied?
If you have received notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that your Social Security Disability application has been denied at the initial level, you can appeal this decision. There are four common levels of appeals:
- Reconsideration – You have 60 days after a denial to provide the SSA with additional information about your disability and request a reconsideration of your case by the Raleigh Disability Determination Service office. In 2019, approximately 13% of reconsiderations were approved at the national level.
- Hearing – The next level involves requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge at the Office of Hearing Operations. 45% of these hearings were successful in 2019 in the U.S.
- Appeals Council – To appeal the decision made by an administrative law judge, you may pursue a review with the Appeals Council. In 2019, only 1% of appeals at this level succeeded nationally.
- U.S. District Court – The fourth step of the appeals process, which resulted in a 2% national success rate in 2019, involves filing a civil action in a U.S. District Court.
A small number of cases continue the appeals process after receiving a negative U.S. District Court decision. There are two final levels of potential appeals: to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and then to the US Supreme Court. At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, our experienced disability lawyers in Raleigh can provide guidance to you each step of the way of the appeals process.
Where Is the Raleigh Social Security Office?
The Social Security Disability office in Raleigh is located at the US Social Security Administration building located at 4701 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609.
To apply for Social Security Disability benefits in Raleigh, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at the SSA, or visit the address listed above.
You can also contact a Raleigh disability attorney to file the application for you. And you do not need to worry about an attorney’s fee because we’re contingency fee lawyers.2 A contingency fee is calculated as a percentage of any backpay benefits (benefits that have accrued during the Social Security Disability approval process), and if we are not able to help you recover any backpay, there will be no attorney’s fee. Contact our Raleigh office location today.
Why Hire Us as Your Social Security Disability Lawyer in Raleigh, NC?
The attorneys at the Law Office of James Scott Farrin care about our clients and fighting for their rights. And they are experienced in Social Security Disability law. Several of our paralegals have worked for the Social Security Administration, and they provide our disability lawyers with experience and support, while sharing the same compassion for our clients. As a team, we understand why certain claims can get denied, how to submit a complete claim, and how to fight for the disability benefits you may deserve. The team at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin cares about our teammates, too. We make it a priority to take care of each other so that we can take care of our clients. In 2020, our firm was named at the top of the “Best Places to Work” Iist (in the large organization category) by the Triangle Business Journal.
Practice Areas
Social Security Disability Client, Google Review1
Repeat James Scott Farrin Client, Online Google Review
Former Car Accident Client, Online Google Review
Testimonials do not reference all the feedback the firm has received. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its individual facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome can be achieved in the future.