Christopher Smith, P.A. has been assisting clients with Social Security Disability claims since 1994. The firm has helped disabled clients from Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota, Crystal River, Inverness, Spring Hill, and all surrounding areas. We offer more than sheer experience to our disabled clients. We offer a caring and personable office environment. We maintain the highest of standards with regards to competence, professionalism, and ethics. Our firm has an excellent reputation among current and former clients and other attorneys. If your claim for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied, it is crucial your Social Security disability appeal the denial within 60 days.
At Christopher J. Smith, P.A. we understand the emotional trials faced by disabled individuals who are unable to work because of a physical impairment or a mental impairment. This may well be one of the most difficult times in your life. The loss of income may have caused you lose your home, your car, strained relationships and damaged your self esteem. As a law firm, we will do everything in our power to keep you from losing out on disability benefits you deserve.
Social Security Disability
If you have been denied Social Security Disability Benefits, and need to speak with an attorney regarding your claim, call our office and speak with a Tampa Social Security Disability Attorney for an honest assessment of your case. Social Security Disability cases are handled on a contingency basis, which means you have to pay no money up front, and an attorney’s fee is only paid if we secure benefits on your behalf.
Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) – Disability insurance benefits or Title II benefits are given to individuals who are unable to work at a “substantial” gainful level and their condition has existed or is expected to exist for at least a 12 month period. By “substantial,” SSA means the claimant would be unable to earn over $1000.00 per month[this figure usually is adjusted each year for inflation] because of the claimant’s disability.
To be eligible for this benefit, a claimant must have worked long enough and paid enough into Social Security through their FICA taxes to be “insured.” As a general rule, if a claimant worked at least five of the last 10 years, he would be “insured” for purposes of disability insurance benefit. How much a claimant receives each month if found disabled and entitled to his benefit is based on how much he has “paid into” the system during his working life.
Generally, the longer someone has worked and the higher his earnings, the more he would be paid if found disabled. Individuals found disabled and entitled to these benefits may be awarded retroactive benefits. Retroactive benefits can only go back one year from the date of the initial application. There is a five-month waiting period from the date the claimant is determined to be disabled until entitlement to these benefits begins.
Individuals approved for disability benefits are entitled to Medicare coverage two years from their first month of entitlement [5 full month waiting period + two years].
For more information about Social Security disability, please see our other pages:
Social Security Disability
Social Security Disability vs. Supplemental Security Income
Five Step Sequential Evaluation Summary
Changes In The SSA Claims Handling Process
Social Security Disability; The application
Request for Reconsideration
Request for Hearing
Video Teleconference Hearings (VTC)
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