North Carolina Social Security Disability Benefits Programs

To speak with a North Carolina social security disability attorney at the Bridgman Law Offices, call 704-815-6055.

North Carolina Social

Security Disability Benefits

Program

When a medical condition prevents you from being able to work, you may be able to qualify for North Carolina Social Security disability benefits. There are two main types of benefits available to people who are disabled. The first is Social Security disability insurance, or SSDI, and the second is supplemental security income, or SSI. Neither program requires that people are a certain age in order to qualify, but both have other eligibility requirements that applicants must meet. When you work with a North Carolina disability attorney, they will help you to gather the evidence you need in order to support your benefits claim.

Eligibility For Social Security Disability Insurance

In order to be eligible for SSDI, you must have worked a sufficient length of time to have built up enough credits. The number of credits required varies, depending on your age and how long ago you became disabled. If your application for SSDI is approved, the amount of your monthly payments will be determined by how much you have paid into FICA in the past. While average SSDI payments range from $1,000 to $1,200, people who paid more due to having higher past incomes may expect checks that are larger.

Eligibility For Supplemental Security Income

People who are disabled but who do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI may still be eligible for supplemental security income, or SSI. Eligibility requires you to be disabled, over age 65 or blind. Most people must also be U.S. citizens although there are limited exceptions based on such things as military service or other things. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for SSI, a North Carolina disability attorney may be able to help. People who apply for SSI must have incomes that are very low. The amount of your monthly income must be less than the amount set by the state. North Carolina follows the federal income limits, which are updated each year. Finally, the value of your property, other than your home and car, cannot exceed $2,000 if you are single or $3,000 if you are married. For 2015, the monthly federal amount for SSI payments is $733 for individuals and $1,100 for married couples. North Carolina also adds an additional monthly amount to supplement the federal payment. Every year in January, the federal amount is adjusted to account for cost of living increases. In addition to SSI, you may also automatically qualify for food stamps and Medicaid.

The Social Security Administration’s Definition Of Disability

Proving that you are disabled can be difficult when you apply for Social Security benefits. Your mental or physical condition must be one that is so severe that it will cause your death, last at least one year or longer or prevents you from engaging in any substantial gainful activity, or SGA. Many arguments regarding whether or not a person is disabled involve the agency’s stringent guidelines. Even in situations where you feel too ill to be able to work, the Social Security Administration may still decide you are not truly disabled. When the Social Security Administration evaluates your application for SSDI or SSI benefits, they will use their own contracted doctors and medical examiners. The examiners refer to a list of conditions when they review applications. They also determine what your residual functional capacity renders you unable to do any work, including work that is sedentary. If they decide that you do have the ability to work at a specific type of job, your application will be denied, even if no positions for that job type are available in your area. A large percentage of applications for SSDI and SSI are initially denied. If you receive a denial letter, it is important for you to act quickly in the event you want to appeal the decision. The Social Security Administration only allows you to file an appeal within a short period of time. Many cases are won on appeal when they go before the administrative law judge. Administrative law judges are generally more favorable to social security applicants than are the initial claims examiners. A Social Security disability lawyer may be able to help you to gather the types of medical documents you will need when you file your appeal. They may be able to get statements from your doctor in order to help you with your case, among other things.

Contact A North Carolina Social Security Disability Attorney

To speak with a North Carolina social security disability attorney at the Bridgman Law Offices, call 704-815-6055.