Victor Malca Law P.A. – Social Security Disability Attorney Serving Fort Lauderdale
Applying for social security disability benefits (SSDI) can be a total headache. A large percentage of the applications are routinely denied for the smallest reasons.
If you are living paycheck to paycheck, this can be disastrous. A disability robs you of the ability to work or look for any gainful employment. This leaves you with no means to pay the bill or even buy basic necessities.
Then you’ll have to wait for months or even a year for the SSA’s decision. Only to find out that you got denied.
Thus, we strongly recommend getting help from an expert on the subject. Our social security disability lawyer specializes in representing injured workers in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Because we’ve been through this a lot of times already, we know how to best present your case thus increasing your chances of getting approved.
Here’s how you can apply for social security benefits in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Or you can call our office for a free consultation.
Qualifications
Before we go any further, let’s first see if you qualify.
The most common reason why people can’t qualify for social security disability benefits is the lack of social security credits. If you haven’t worked in jobs that pay social security taxes, chances are you won’t qualify for SSDI. To check your social security credits, log in to your social security account or visit your local SSA office.
If your social security credit is not enough, you can still apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or other state-sponsored benefits.
Aside from social security credits, your medical condition should also meet the SSA’s definition of disability. Unlike workers’ compensation, SSA pays only for total disability. As a general rule, being totally disabled means that:
- you can’t do the work you’re doing before
- it’s difficult for you to find any other kind of employment because of your condition
- your disability is expected to last for at least a year or result in death
The agency also keeps a list of disabling conditions. If your disability is included in the list, your application will be approved much faster. Some of the conditions included therein are musculoskeletal disorders, skin disorders, respiratory disorders, and even mental illnesses.
How Much Can You Get?
In 2019, most SSDI beneficiaries receive somewhere between $800 to $1,800. But how much you’ll get in social security disability benefits will depend on your covered earnings.
What are covered earnings?
It’s your average income over the period from which you’ve paid social security taxes. Since covered earnings differ for everyone, benefit amounts can also vary for each individual. You can check your covered earnings by logging in to your account on the SSA website.
Disability payments may also differ per month. That’s because the SSA will take into account your earnings for that month. If your income is more than 80% of your earnings from before your disability, your benefits will be reduced.
Among the income sources included in the computation of your monthly income are:
- wages
- income from self-employment
- workers compensation
- temporary state disability benefits
- pensions
- honoraria
- unemployment benefits
- interest income
- dividends
- cash from family and friends
- food or shelter you get for free or at a discount
For a more detailed computation of your disability benefits, you can use the SSA’s online calculator.
How To Apply
Basically, there are three ways you can apply for social security disability benefits:
- Online. You can apply online if you are 18 or older and have not been denied disability benefits in the last 60 days.
- By Phone. If applying online is not an option, you can also call their toll-free number 1-800-772-1213. People who are hard of hearing may also call toll-free “TTY” number 1-800-325-0778.
- In-person. If both of the above is not applicable, you can always submit your application in any SSA office nearest you.
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the SSA office is located at:
3201 W Commercial Blvd Suite 100
Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33309
What To Do When Your Application Gets Denied
When your social security disability benefits claim gets denied, it’s important to file an appeal as soon as you can.
Upon receiving the denial notice, you only have 60 days to request for reconsideration. After filing your request, it takes about 100 days for the SSA to evaluate your case.
If you are denied a second time, you are given another 60 days to request an appeal hearing. From this point on, you will have to wait anywhere from 9 months to 2 years depending on your location.
The more you delay your appeal, the longer you will have to wait for your benefits to get released.
To avoid having to wait for months (or years), it’s important that your application gets approved at first try. This is why enlisting the help of an experienced workers compensation and social security lawyer like Victor Malca will significantly help your case. He has been helping injured workers in Florida for more than two decades. His extensive experience allows him to know the ins and outs of the system like the back of his hand. This makes him the most qualified person to assist you in getting the benefits you rightfully deserve.
Victor Malca – A Trusted Name in Florida
Victor Malca Law has over 25 years of litigation experience, we are the most trusted workers’ compensation lawyers in Florida. Our area of expertise is in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claim social security disability benefits.
Our unwavering advocacy for employee rights and privileges are also recognized by our peers. Book a free consultation today.