Living with a serious medical condition can be overwhelming—especially if it prevents you from earning a living. The Social Security Disability (SSD) program is designed to give financial support to people who can’t work due to a disabling health problem. However, the application and appeals process can be complex and confusing. If you’re located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, or the surrounding areas, you don’t have to face these challenges alone.
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys is here to help you get the compensation you deserve. Get in touch with our law offices today for a free consultation with an experienced Rock Hill Social Security disability lawyer at (803) 324-7574.
How Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys Can Help With Your Social Security Disability Claim in Rock Hill, SC
Although SSD benefits provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) aim to help people in dire need, many deserving applicants face denials when they first apply. Technical issues, incomplete forms, and misunderstandings about medical evidence are common hurdles. By working with our award-winning Rock Hill personal injury lawyers, you can avoid these pitfalls and streamline your claim.
Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys stands ready to assist you. Our Rock Hill personal injury attorneys have 150 years of combined experience and have recovered over $100 million for clients. We handle a variety of injury and disability cases, including those involving SSD benefits.
Here’s how Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys can help:
- Evaluate your situation
- Gather supporting evidence
- Complete and file your application
- Represent you in appeals
- Protect your interests at every step
Our Rock Hill Social Security attorneys know how to fight for the benefits you need. We’ve seen all kinds of disability claims and have a track record of success in guiding our clients through this process.
Overview of Social Security Disability in South Carolina
Social Security Disability benefits are managed by the federal government.
People often confuse the two main SSD programs:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): SSDI targets individuals who have built up “work credits” by paying Social Security taxes. You must have a sufficient work history (usually working five of the last ten years, depending on your age) and a severe, long-term disability.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): SSI helps people with limited income and assets, regardless of work history. You must also meet strict medical disability requirements, but the financial thresholds differ from SSDI.
In South Carolina, applications and appeals go through local SSA offices or administrative law judges. Understanding how to meet the SSA’s standard of disability and navigating the local processes can be tough, especially if you’re already dealing with health issues.
What Do I Need to Prove in an SSD Claim?
To qualify for SSD (whether SSDI or SSI), you typically need to show:
Severe Impairment
Your condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic work tasks—examples include lifting, standing, focusing, or communicating. Minor issues, like easily treatable health concerns, typically won’t meet this threshold.
Duration Requirement
Your impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months—or be terminal. Temporary conditions that heal within a year usually don’t qualify.
Inability to Perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)
The SSA sets a monthly earnings limit. If you consistently earn above that limit, you might not be deemed disabled, even if you have severe health limitations. If you can’t do your old job or switch to a new one that meets the SGA standard, you may have a valid claim.
Work Credits (for SSDI Only)
You need a sufficient work record, earning enough credits in recent years. If you lack the work credits, you may still qualify for SSI, provided your income and assets remain below specific limits.
Meeting these criteria requires thorough documentation. You’ll need medical records, test results, and statements from doctors. Some applicants also benefit from testimonies from therapists, social workers, or former employers.
We Can Help You With Any Type of Disability Claim in Rock Hill
Disabilities come in countless forms—both physical and mental.
We can assist you if:
- You’re dealing with degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s.
- You’ve been diagnosed with cancer or another critical health condition.
- You face severe heart ailments, including congestive heart failure or coronary artery disease.
- Chronic respiratory disorders keep you from working.
- Mental health conditions (like anxiety, PTSD, or schizophrenia) disrupt your daily life.
- Neurological disorders (epilepsy, stroke aftermath) limit your work ability.
Even if your specific diagnosis isn’t widely recognized, you may still be disabled if your condition seriously impacts your ability to earn a living. We welcome the chance to review your situation for free.
How Valuable Is My SSD Claim?
Unlike personal injury cases, SSD benefits aren’t about “settlements” or “verdicts.” Instead, if approved, you generally receive monthly payments.
The amount depends on:
- Your average lifetime earnings: SSDI benefits are based on your income history.
- Family benefits: Sometimes, dependents can receive a portion of your SSDI, although there’s a “family maximum.”
- Back pay: If your claim succeeds, you might receive retroactive payments dating back to when your disability first stopped you from working—subject to certain time limits.
- Cost-of-living adjustments (COLA): Each year, SSD benefits might increase slightly to match inflation.
If you apply for SSI, the benefit structure differs. SSI has a maximum federal monthly benefit, often supplemented by states. However, your other income or resources can reduce that amount.
We’ll Fight for Your Right to Benefits
At Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys, we’re passionate about standing up for those seeking the benefits they’re entitled to under the law.
Our team will:
- Review your denial letter to see why the SSA said “no” in the first place.
- Revise your claim to address the agency’s concerns—like gathering extra medical proof or clarifying your employment history.
- Meet appeal deadlines (like Reconsideration or requesting a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge) so you stay on track.
- Prepare you for your hearing so you know what to expect and how to answer the judge’s questions.
You have multiple levels of appeal, and we’ll stand by you through each one, pushing for approval. If we believe the SSA made an error that calls for a federal court review, we can continue your case in the judicial system.
Time Limit To File for SSD Claims in South Carolina
The SSA imposes specific timelines at various stages of the process:
- Initial application: You should apply as soon as you realize your disability is lasting at least 12 months. There’s no strict “deadline” like a personal injury lawsuit, but waiting can reduce your potential back pay or risk losing eligibility for SSDI if your insured status lapses.
- Reconsideration: If denied initially, you typically have 60 days from the denial letter to request reconsideration.
- Administrative hearing: If reconsideration also fails, you have another 60 days to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
- Appeals council: Again, a 60-day window to request a review of the judge’s decision.
- Federal court: Finally, you can file a lawsuit in federal court within 60 days of the Appeals Council’s ruling.
Missing a deadline can mean starting over or forfeiting your claim. Our attorneys can track these timelines carefully, ensuring your case stays active.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Rock Hill Social Security Disability Lawyer?
Many people worry about affording a lawyer when they can’t work. Fortunately, Social Security
Disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis with fees regulated by the government:
- No upfront costs: Usually, you pay nothing unless your attorney helps you win benefits.
- Capped fees: The SSA sets a maximum fee, which often is 25% of your back pay up to a certain dollar limit.
- Direct payment: If you win, the fee is often deducted from your back pay before the remainder is sent to you.
This arrangement lets you hire quality legal counsel without worrying about paying out of pocket. Our firm only gets paid if you secure disability benefits—and the SSA approves the fee for your attorney.
Contact Our Rock Hill Social Security Disability Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Pursuing Social Security Disability can be an uphill battle—especially if you’re dealing with painful or debilitating conditions every day. You don’t have to go through the process alone. Elrod Pope Accident & Injury Attorneys has 150 years of combined experience and has secured over $100 million for our clients across various injury and disability cases.
Our Rock Hill Social Security Disability lawyers are here to help you navigate the SSD system and improve your odds of a favorable outcome. Call today for a free initial consultation. We can look over your file, let you know what to expect, and strategize a path toward approval.
