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Your New Jersey Social Security Disability Lawyers
The American Dream is the freedom to work hard every day to provide for your family so they live healthy and happy lives. But what becomes of the American Dream when your body simply cannot work due to an injury or ailment beyond your control?
That’s when the Social Security Administration (SSA) steps in to assist. However, attaining social security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits isn’t quite as simple as you think. There are multiple steps to the process, and if you fail to complete any of them correctly, you may have wasted months and impaired your ability to receive compensation in the process.
A lawyer specializing in social security disability benefits helps you navigate the complex road to getting the benefits you deserve. The social security disability lawyers at Stopper Lopez have represented hundreds of clients in New Jersey, helping them get the social security disability benefits they desperately needed. We are thorough, tireless, and care for our clients like family.
Here’s everything you need to know about SSDI and how you or any one of the millions injured every year can get the help you deserve.
Our Experienced NJ Social Security Disability Lawyers Have Helped Clients Throughout South Jersey
Common Accidents, Diseases, and Conditions Warranting SSDI
- Skin Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders
- Congenital Disorders and Defects
- Neurological Disorders
- Mental Disorders
- Cancer
- Immune System Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Special Senses & Speech
- Respiratory Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Digestive Disorders
- Genitourinary Disorders
- Hematological Disorders
How Do I Know if I Am Eligible for Social Security Disability in New Jersey?
What Impairments are Eligible for SSDI?
There are two different definitions for disability depending on whether the individual is an adult or a child.
For adults, New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development defines disability as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (work) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s), which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months.”
For children under 18 years of age, disability is defined as a “physical or mental impairment or combination of impairments that cause marked and severe functional limitations that can be expected to cause death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.”
Whether child or adult, the law dictates that an impairment must be medically determinable. That means that there must be established medical evidence of signs, symptoms, and medically acceptable lab test documentation proving that there indeed is an impairment that qualifies.
The most important factor in determining your eligibility, though, is whether or not your ailment has lasted or is expected to last one year’s time or longer.
How SSDI Works in New Jersey
When you apply for disability, it takes three to five months to receive a decision, although that can vary depending on how long it takes to acquire your medical records. New Jersey state agencies will use medical and vocational experts who will contact care providers to verify all your documentation.
You may receive further forms to complete or be called upon for an examination or medical test. You will not be asked to pay for any further examinations so be sure to keep all your appointments as missing one may render you temporarily disqualified from benefits.
In the unfortunate event you are rejected by the SSA, you have up to 60 days to file a written appeal.
Requirements of a Claim for Social Security Disability
The Social Security Department’s website lists all the items you will need if you want to pursue a disability claim. The following checklist contains every piece of information you will need to bring with you to your disability appointment.
- Medical records--bring everything you can find but don’t worry if you can’t find certain items. With medical records being digitized, NJ will help you find anything you are missing
- Worker’s Compensation information including settlement agreement, claim number, and proof of payment amounts
- Names and birthdays of your children and spouse
- Dates of marriages and divorces
- Banking information including checking and routing numbers
- Emergency contact information
- Medical release Form SSA-827--this form legally authorizes the SSA to disclose information and should be filled and returned as directed if received.
- If you are unable to file online, print and complete the “Medical and Job Worksheet” and bring it to your interview.
When a Workers’ Compensation Claim is Needed Instead
If you were injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Call us to discuss your case with our workers’ compensation lawyers, free of charge.
When a Personal Injury Claim is also Needed
If you were injured intentionally or through someone’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us to discuss your case with our personal injury lawyers, free of charge.
Some Injured Workers are Eligible for Public Employee Disability Benefits in NJ
If you were injured on the job and work for the government, you may be legally eligible for public employee disability benefits. Call us to discuss your case with our NJ public employee disability lawyers, free of charge.
What Does Social Security Disability Pay for in New Jersey?
SSDI will Compensate You For Lost Wages if You Worked Enough
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is financed by social security taxes paid for by workers, employers, and self-employed citizens. To be eligible for SSDI, you must first earn sufficient credits based on taxable work, or in other words, you have to have paid into SSDI during your recent work tenure.
You Must Provide Medical Evidence That You Cannot Work
Make sure that you have all of your medical documentation available when you appear for your social security disability appointment. For a list of items that you need, refer to the previous section and fill out the medical and job worksheet.
SSA will help attain medical documents you may not be able to attain yourself, so simply gather everything that you can. This includes medical bills, hospital discharge papers, accident reports, or anything else that pertains to your injury or ailment.
You Must Also Provide Non-Medical Evidence
While medical documentation is your strongest ally in getting your disability benefit payments, there are non-medical forms of evidence that can strengthen your case. Your work attendance, for instance, may show your diligence as an employee before your injury, but appears spotty afterwards due to your inability to perform routine tasks. Perhaps you switched jobs frequently because you could not physically assume your duties any longer.
Friends, family, co-workers, and former employers can help paint a picture of how you were able to function normally before an injury and how you’re unable to now. A lawyer who specializes in SSDI can assist you in utilizing this information to help strengthen your case and get you the benefits you deserve.
You Must Disclose All Other Sources of Income Such as Pension or Workers’ Compensation Benefits
When it comes time for your SSA benefits appointment, along with your medical records, you must disclose all other sources of income. This means you should have tax statements, paystubs, invoices, bank statements and anything else that shows your streams of income. Without these, you risk disqualifying yourself from getting the disability benefits you deserve.
Why Do I Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer in New Jersey?
Our experienced NJ social security disability lawyers will help you prepare your application, and if your claim is denied or underpaid, we fight for the benefits you are entitled to. We also examine your situation and advise as to whether you are entitled to benefits from other programs.
Our Experienced NJ Social Security Disability Lawyers Have Helped Clients Throughout South Jersey
Call Us for Your Free NJ Social Security Disability Case Review
- Berlin
- Burlington
- Camden
- Cherry Hill
- Cinnaminson
- Deptford
- Glassboro
- Hammonton
- Marlton
- Medford
- Monroe
- Moorestown
- Mount Holly
- New Hanover
- North Hanover
- Pemberton
- Shamong
- Southampton
- Swedesboro
- Tabernacle
- Willingboro
- Woodstown
- Voorhees
Call Stopper Lopez today to receive your free legal consultation and roadmap to getting your NJ social security disability benefits. We get things done in New Jersey. You need a lawyer that specializes in NJ disability cases, and that lawyer is Stopper Lopez. Contact us now and finally get all of the disability benefits you deserve.