If you live in Poughkeepsie, New York, and you’re one of the many social security disability insurance (SSDI) applicants that are fed up with the options available to you, this article will explain the fastest and easiest path to collecting the compensation you deserve. Learn how to maximize your benefits, minimize wait times, and make the qualification process as painless as possible.
The Difficulty of Applying for SSDI
When you’re unable to work, the government can help by issuing supplement income to those in need—but they certainly don’t make it easy. Over 67% of people that apply for social security disability insurance (SSDI) without legal help are denied their first application to the Social Security Administration. In many cases, Poughkeepsie residents hire social security disability lawyers to help guide them smoothly through the application process.
*Note: Supplemental Security Income (SSI Poughkeepsie, NY) benefits are different from SSDI, and will not be covered in this article.
Where Poughkeepsie Residents Go for SSDI
The Social Security Administration (SSA) in Poughkeepsie is available to process applications and answer basic questions. However, there has been increasing disappointment from local applicants regarding the difficult approval process, and long wait times. Applicants who do get approved are condemning the unwillingness of the SSA’s legal department to handle legal paperwork, prepare documentation, and provide status updates throughout the process.
These are just a few concerns voiced by Poughkeepsie residents, which accounts for their 2.5-star rating on Google Reviews.
The Poughkeepsie SSA Prefers Clients with SSDI Attorneys
The Poughkeepsie SSA is known to approve those represented by attorneys at a higher rate than those who are not, as well as offer larger settlement amounts.
Most cases end up going to an appeal hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Finding counsel from a trusted SSDI attorney can help you fill out your initial application accurately, conduct an effective appeal hearing, guide you through the legal process, and present specifically what the judge is looking for, ultimately maximizing your benefits.
Top 4 Benefits of Hiring an SSDI Lawyer in Poughkeepsie
- Minimized wait times: Experienced SSDI lawyers have gone through the application process for many years, and know what it takes to expedite the process to help you receive funding as soon as possible.
- Maximized funding: SSDI applications are complex. Those that are not experienced with the process of applying for this kind of insurance can easily miss out on key details that could boost the amount you’re provided each month via SSDI. A lawyer who specializes in this field can help ensure that you’re getting the full amount you’re eligible for.
- Easier approval: Many who are told they are not qualified to receive SSDI funds simply do not know which documents are needed, and how they should be prepared in order to prove their eligibility. With an SSDI attorney, however, your chances of qualifying dramatically improve.
- Reduced risk of error: As previously stated, the SSDI process is complex, and if you’re not on top of the process at all times, it’s easy to make a mistake. Hiring an attorney to keep you updated at all times as to the status and requirements of your SSDI application reduces the risk of delays due to errors and missing documents.
The Danger of Filing for SSDI On Your Own
You can, of course, file for Social Security benefits on your own; and many people do. The issue here isn’t really whether you can do it, but whether you should. The government does not approve applicants out of sympathy. The SSA only approves clients that meet certain criteria and thresholds, and completes all required legal procedures perfectly.
New York state ensures that the information and documents needed to fill out an application for SSDI is readily available to any applicant. However, it’s important to understand the legal nuances and proper legal procedures in place to have the best chance to win your Social Security Disability Insurance claim. Without many years of experience in the field, it is unlikely that applicants will have this level of knowledge concerning SSDI.
How to Qualify for Social Security in Poughkeepsie
First, you are required to have spent at least 10 years (typically) working for jobs covered by social security. The Poughkeepsie SSA uses a system of “work credits” to determine how long you are considered working under their definition.
Next, you have to prove that you have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s five definition of “disability.” To prove this, your disability must meet these five requirements created by social security.
5 Steps to Prove Disability Eligibility for Social Security in NY
- If you are working currently and your earnings average over $1,260 per month, then you are generally not considered “disabled.” If your earnings are below this amount, or you aren’t working, then you can proceed to step 2.
- For a period of 12 months, your condition must significantly affect your ability to do basic physical activities including standing, sitting, walking, and lifting. Cognitive impairments such as memory loss that are caused by your disability may also be considered. If your condition is considered severe under this definition, then you can proceed to step 3.
- Look through the New York List of Disabling Conditions here to see if your condition is listed. This is a list of medical conditions that exist for each of the major body systems that qualify for social security in New York. If your condition is not on that list, then you (or more preferably, your attorney) will have to convince the judge that your condition is as severe to a similar condition on the list. If your condition qualifies under this standard, then you can proceed to step 4.
- Determine whether you’re unable to do any of the work you did previously. If you cannot, then social security will not consider you disabled. If your disability prevents you from doing at least some of your previous work, then you can proceed to step 5.
- Ask yourself whether you can do any other kind of work with the skills you obtained from previous jobs. If you can’t do the work you did in the past, social security will look to see what skills you have that could be transferred to another line of work despite your impairments. If social security decides that you can do another job, your claim will be denied.
If you can make it through all five of these steps successfully, then your claim will be accepted, and you will receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. If you can’t, your claim for Social Security benefits will be denied.
A few of these eligibility requirements are purposefully left open to interpretation by both the applicant, and the judge. If you’re unsure whether your disability meets the SSDI requirements in place, it is recommended that you contact an experienced SSDI lawyer that specializes in helping clients receive disability benefits.
How Much Does SSDI Pay in New York?
Most Social Security Disability Insurance recipients get between $800 to $1800 per month. The 2020 average amount for benefits in New York is $1,258. The absolute maximum monthly amount you can receive in SSDI benefits for the year 2020 is $3,011.
Your government SSDI benefits will not be affected if you are being paid monthly disability payments from a private insurance provider, or if you are receiving SSI or VA benefits. However, if you receive some other government-based disability benefits such as worker’s compensation, your SSDI benefits may be reduced. You also may be entitled to back pay benefits as well.
How to Apply for SSDI in Poughkeepsie
It’s OK if you’re a bit overwhelmed after reading this. The unfortunate news is that this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is a very broad overview of what you will need to do to get your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits approved. The direction of your first step towards applying depends on if you’re planning to hire an SSDI attorney, or if you’re forging ahead alone.
Hiring a Disability Insurance Lawyer
If you are interested in hiring an attorney or have any questions about your case; we offer a free consultation to help you evaluate how much your case is worth so you can decide your next steps forward. You can reach us at 1-855-GOT-SOBO (855-468-7626), or contact us online to speak with an SSDI attorney at Sobo & Sobo in Poughkeepsie. Or, come visit us at our Poughkeepsie office on 219 Church St., right in the middle of Church Street Row Historic District.
Our attorneys have over 40 years of experience in successfully helping people that have become disabled receive the benefits they deserve. Once you hire a disability attorney from Sobo & Sobo, you can rest easy knowing that everything will be done correctly and on time.
We will track down whatever information is needed to win your case. Whether we need to obtain medical records, question witnesses, or deliver documents to meet deadlines, we will get it done for you. At Sobo & Sobo, we offer a “No Win, No Fee Guarantee.” We work for free unless you win, simple as that. Every day we successfully represent people just like you who are seeking benefits from Social Security in Poughkeepsie; it is up to you if you are next.
Frequently Asked Questions About SSDI
Q: How Long After Applying Does it Take to Collect SSDI?
A: The initial application process can take anywhere from 2-6 months, depending on how much help you have available. Requesting reconsideration after your application is denied can take anywhere from 4-12 months. Once your application is approved, the hearing stages can take up to 22 months.
Q: What is Social Security Disability Insurance, and How Does it Work?
A: SSDI is a monthly payment from the government that helps compensate for those without the physical ability to work. These funds are meant to provide supplemental income to those that cannot financially support themselves, and lack the physical ability to gain employment.
Q: Are You Eligible for Medicare While Collecting SSDI?
A: Yes, after 24 months of you become automatically eligible to receive Medicare benefits.
Q: I’m Receiving Retirement Benefits—Can I Still Qualify for SSDI?
A: Yes, you can apply for disability insurance even if you are already collecting from retirement income.
Q: Can I Qualify if I Work Part Time?
A: Yes, you can work part time and collect from SSDI. However, working part time does place a limit as to how much you can collect from disability benefits.
Q: Can Children Collect from SSDI?
A: Yes, children can receive disability benefits subject to SSA rules and regulations.
Q: What Can You Use SSDI Funds For?
Funds received from SSDI can be used to cover any expense. Most often these funds are used to cover typical costs of living including medical and dental expenses, as well as necessities like food, clothing and housing costs, but can also be used for recreational use.
