Social Security Disability Insurance

The Maguire Law Firm — Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

South Carolina Social Security Attorney

In the years that you spent working, a portion of your wages was paid into the Social Security system. If an injury or illness now prevents you from working, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. But getting your SSDI claim approved by the Social Security Administration so that benefits can begin is not a simple process.

The Maguire Law Firm of South Carolina, serving Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties, is ready to help you receive the benefits you deserve. If you are considering filing a Social Security Disability claim or have had your initial claim denied, our SSDI benefits lawyers will guide you through this complicated bureaucratic process.

In the Myrtle Beach area, call 843-361-7549 or use our toll-free number at (800) 525-9900. You can also contact us online. We offer free initial consultations and flexible appointment scheduling for your convenience.

Common Questions About Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

Our Social Security benefits attorneys are prepared to answer all of your questions. Following are some basic questions we've heard from other clients:

How do I qualify for Social Security disability benefits?
You must meet the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition of “disabled.” As a rule, for at least a period of one year, you must have suffered from a medical condition that prevented you from doing the work you did before and kept you from adjusting to any other work. The severity of your disability and your income are other factors that come into play:

• Your ability to do your job must be significantly limited by your disability. Also, the disability must last for at least a year and you must be unable to switch to a different type of job. Be prepared to provide proof that you have a physical or mental disability.
• You must have met the minimum requirements for payments into the Social Security system through an employer or your own business. How much needs to have been paid in depends mostly on your age. Also, the payments into Social Security must have been made within 10 years of becoming disabled.

When can I apply for Social Security Disability benefits?

You may apply for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as your disability is diagnosed, but you must expect to be out of work a year or longer. Once your SSDI benefits are approved, you receive payments in the sixth month after the disability began. The amount of your benefit is based on your lifetime average earnings.

How long does it take to get approved for Social Security Disability benefits?

The period of time it will take to get a final decision on your Social Security Disability benefits claim depends on whether your claim is granted or denied on your initial application. If your claim goes to the hearing level, you can expect a long process. The average time it takes to get a hearing is around 540 days, according to recent reports. A qualified Social Security benefits lawyer can ensure your claim moves forward as efficiently as possible.

How long will Social Security benefits last?

You will receive Social Security Disability payments as long as your medical condition has not improved and you cannot work. Your case is periodically reviewed to determine whether you still are disabled. Your benefits will last as long as the Social Security Administration considers you to be disabled and you follow the rules to maintain eligibility. At age 62, the disability payments will convert to retirement benefits.

My claim was denied, is there any chance I can still collect?

Usually, within 4 to 6 months after you submit your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, you receive a decision on your claim. If your initial claim is denied, there is an appeals process. If this happens to you, it is crucial that you contact an experienced Social Security Disability benefits attorney right away, if you have not done so already.

A successful appeal can mean that you will be paid for that time period while you were ruled ineligible. But, like the initial claims process, the appeals process is long and complicated. The advice of the disability claims attorneys at the Maguire Law Firm will greatly improve your chances of winning your claim.

How much do attorneys charge to handle Social Security Disability claims?

Our Social Security Disability benefits attorneys get paid only if we obtain benefits on our behalf. The federal government pays us from the back pay owed to you at the time your disability claim is awarded.

How do I get help with my Social Security Disability claim?

The Maguire Law Firm of South Carolina is ready to help, and the consultation is free. Our Social Security Disability lawyers serve Horry, Georgetown, and Marion counties in South Carolina. In the Myrtle Beach area, call 843-361-7549 or use our toll-free number at (800) 525-9900. You can also contact us online. The disability claims or appeals process usually takes several months. The sooner you contact the Maguire Law Firm, the sooner our Social Security lawyers can start working to ensure you get the benefits you deserve.