The Travis Law Firm - The Injury Lawyers

Contact the social security disability lawyers at the Travis Law Firm – with offices in Erie and Edinboro – and arrange a case consultation.






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The Travis Law Firm

Erie Office
100 State Street, Suite 210 Erie, PA 16507
Phone: (814) 455-3839
Toll Free: (866) 893-9123
Fax: (814) 734-5321

Edinboro Office
102 Lorna Ln
Edinboro, PA 16412
Phone: (814) 734-6076
Toll Free: (866) 893-9123
Fax: (814) 734-5321

Warren Office
400 Market St.
Warren, PA 16365
Phone: (814) 723-6120
Toll Free: (866) 893-9123
Fax: (814) 734-5321

Social Security Disability Lawyers Erie, PA

Social Security Disability Lawyers Erie, PA

The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that a 20-year-old worker has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement. Though the thought of becoming disabled is unsettling, it is a risk we all run in the workplace, which is why it is important to understand the kind of assistance the federal government offers. The following is an overview of social security benefits: when you can claim them, how much they will be, and more. We invite you to review this information and then contact our social security disability lawyers at The Travis Law Firm serving Erie, Edinboro, Crawford County, Warren County, and all of Western Pennsylvania to arrange a consultation.

Eligibility

The SSA pays benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a medical condition expected to last at least a year or result in death. Eligibility is based on the type and severity of your impairment, your age and the duration of your recent work, measured in calendar quarters (First Quarter: Jan. 1 – March 31; Second Quarter: April 1 – June 30; Third Quarter: July 1 – Sept. 30; Fourth Quarter: Oct. 1 – Dec. 31).

For example, if you became disabled in or before the quarter you turn 24, you generally need 1.5 years of employment during the three-year period ending with the quarter your disability began. Or, if you become disabled in the quarter you turned 27, you would need three years of employment in the six year period ending with the quarter you became disabled. If you are disabled in the quarter you turn age 31 or later, you need five years of employment out of the 10-year period ending with the quarter your disability began.

Determining Disability

The SSA determines disability based on five questions:

1. Are you working?

If you are working and you earn more than $1,000 a month, you aren’t considered disabled.

2. Is your condition severe?

The SSA requires that your condition must interfere with basic work-related activities. If it does not, your claim will be denied.

3. Is your condition on the List of Impairments?

The state agency’s list of impairments describes medical conditions such as epilepsy and traumatic brain injury that are considered severe enough to automatically classify you as being legally disabled. If your condition is not listed, the state agency will determine whether your condition is as severe as those that are listed. If so, the state agency will decide you are disabled; if it does not, the agency moves on to the next question.

4. Can you do the work you did before?

If the state agency decides your medical condition does not prevent you from being able to do the work you did before, they will not consider you disabled. If it does, the state will move on to step 5.

5. Can you perform another type of work?

The state agency will evaluate your medical condition, age, education, past work experience and any skills you have that could be used to do other work. If you cannot do other work, you will be considered disabled. If you can, the state agency will decide you are not disabled.

Payment of Benefits

If the state considers you disabled, your benefits will be paid the sixth full month after the date your disability began. The amount of benefits you receive will be based on your average lifetime earnings.

However, if you are not considered disabled, you have the option to appeal the decision. Whether you are making an initial application for social security disability benefits, or appealing a denied claim, our social security disability lawyers in Erie can help make your claim a success.

Contact Our Social Security Disability Lawyers

When you lose the ability to work, it puts your livelihood at stake, which can introduce unprecedented obstacles and frustration into your life. The social security disability lawyers at The Travis Law Firm in Erie are ready to help you through every step toward obtaining disability benefits so that you can maintain your standard of living in spite of disability. Contact our personal injury attorneys today to schedule a consultation.

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