If you have become disabled due to a medical condition and can no longer maintain a job in Myrtle Beach to support yourself, you may be entitled to federal disability benefits. For those who qualify, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has two programs that provide disability benefits—Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). But the process to obtain benefits can be confusing and drawn out by denials and appeals and bureaucratic procedures.
The federal government has a strict definition of disability. Many people In Myrtle Beach and the surrounding communities who have diagnosed disabilities and seek disability benefits are initially turned down. If you apply for Myrtle Beach Social Security Disability benefits, it’s important not to get discouraged if you receive a rejection letter. You may still have a valid claim. Our disability benefits attorneys at Joye Law Firm have helped many South Carolinians work through the process of appealing denied SSD claims and obtaining benefits. Joye Law Firm has been in business for 50 years, assisting injured and disabled people. Please allow our experienced disability attorneys to put their knowledge to work for you.
Call Joye Law Firm or use our online contact form to speak with a member of our team. We’ll connect you to a SSD lawyer who can handle your Myrtle Beach disability claim. An attorney that focuses on Social Security Disability benefits will review your disability claim and explain your options free of charge—and with no strings attached. Obtaining disability benefits is a vital step toward having some financial security if you are unable to work.
Obtaining Social Security Disability Benefits In Myrtle Beach
Social Security Disability Insurance can provide financial assistance to individuals who can no longer maintain employment due to a medically diagnosed mental or physical disability. The SSA outlines the eligibility qualifications that must be met for an individual to be approved for SSD benefits.
You must have a disability that prevents you from maintaining a job and performing substantial, gainful work.
The evidence accompanying your SSD application must show:
- You can no longer do work that you did before
- Your medical condition prevents you from adapting to other types of gainful work
- Your medical disability must be expected to last at least a year or be a progressive condition that will lead eventually to death.
In addition to complying with the medical requirements, you must have a work history. You must have worked enough years and paid taxes into the Social Security system long enough to qualify to draw Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The number of work credits you will need to qualify varies depending on your age.
Applicants for SSDI benefits are required to submit a number of documents including:
- Employment records
- Medical records
- Financial records including bank records and retirement accounts
- Workers’ compensation records if you received workers’ comp benefits.
If you have not worked long enough to qualify for SSDI benefits and have little or no income, then you may be entitled to claim Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSI provides support for individuals with few financial resources.
Most disability applications are initially handled by Social Security field offices. The address of the SSA field office in Myrtle Beach is:
Social Security Administration
611 Burroughs and Chapin Blvd.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
(88) 577-6601
Whether you are considering submitting a disability benefits application or wondering how to proceed after receiving a denial letter, our team at Joye Law Firm can start you on the right path. A Myrtle Beach disability attorney will understand the types of medical evidence that claims reviewers are looking for in order to approve disability claims, and are familiar with the common mistakes that could cause your disability applications to be delayed or denied.
Conditions That Commonly Result In Disability
Your doctor’s diagnosis of your disability is not sufficient by itself to qualify you for federal disability benefits.
To prove you have a qualifying disability, your medical records should show that your disabling physical or mental condition matches a listed condition in the Social Security Administration’s list of impairments. The list is known as the “Blue Book.” If your condition is consistent with a listed impairment, then you are considered disabled.
The most common disabilities for SSD benefits include:
- Musculoskeletal System Disorders
- Neurological Disorders
- Mental Disorders
- Cardiovascular System Disorders
- Digestive System Disorders including liver dysfunction
- Respiratory System Disorders
- Malignant Growths and Tumors
- Genitourinary System Disorders (kidneys, bladder)
- Sensory Systems Disorders (including speech)
- Blood System Disorders
- Skin Disorders
- Endocrine Disorders (hormonal imbalances)
- Malignant Cancer
- Immune System Disorders (including HIV/ AIDS)
- Congenital Disorders.
If your condition does not conform to a listed impairment, you must produce medical evidence to prove that your injury or illness incapacitates you in a manner that is consistent with a recognized impairment. A Horry County disability attorney at Joye Law Firm can help you obtain an additional medical evaluation and medical evidence about your condition.
If your Myrtle Beach disability benefits are approved, the letter from the SSA will explain when you will start receiving benefits and the amount to expect. On the other hand, if you receive a letter denying your claim, the letter will outline the reason for the decision and advise you that you have 60 days to appeal the decision. A denial can be very frustrating, but you may still have viable options to pursue disability benefits.
At this stage, you should consult with our SSD disability claim attorneys at Joye Law Firm to understand your legal options and how best to proceed. The initial consultation with our attorneys is free and carries no obligation.
Appealing Denied SSD Benefits In Myrtle Beach
Most people in Myrtle Beach who seek disability benefits end up having to appeal an initial denial by the Social Security Administration. If the SSA has denied your application, then you must file for an appeal in a timely manner or lose your chance to pursue an appeal.
The disability claims appeals process involves four levels of appeals if an initial application for benefits has been denied.
Reconsideration—The first step in the appeals process is to request that your denied application be given reconsideration. A reconsideration is a review of your entire file by an examiner who did not take part in the initial review. The examiner will review all the evidence and determine if the initial reviewer made an error that caused your application to be denied. A reconsideration may take several months to complete. A small percentage of applications are approved after reconsideration.
Hearing—if the reconsideration of your SSD application results in another denial, then you may request a hearing before an administrative law judge and present witnesses including medical experts to testify on your behalf. The hearing offers your best chance of overturning the initial decision by the claim examiner. An experienced Myrtle Beach SSD attorney can help you get ready for the hearing and prepare you for the types of questions the administrative law judge will likely ask. The administrative law judges have backlogs of cases and may take a number of months to decide your case.
Appeals Council—If you disagree with the decision of the administrative law judge, you may ask for the Social Security Administration Appeals Council to review the decision and determine whether an error of law was made. The appeals council may review the case, send it back to the administrative law judge for further action or decline to review the case.
U.S. District Court—If you are still dissatisfied with the outcome after a decision by the Appeals Council, then you may file a lawsuit against the Social Security Administration in federal district court in South Carolina.
The disability appeals process is complex and has many filing deadlines that must be met to preserve your rights to pursue an appeal. You do not have to try to navigate the bureaucratic process by yourself. A knowledgeable Myrtle Beach SSD attorney can help you gather medical evidence and work with vocational experts who can evaluate your disability and testify as to how the disability limits your ability to work.
Working with a knowledgeable attorney can make the application and appeals process go more smoothly.
Contact A Myrtle Beach Social Security Disability Benefits Law Firm Today
If you are totally disabled and can no longer work for a living, you may qualify for SSD benefits—even if you have been initially denied benefits. You do not have to take on the Social Security Administration by yourself. A Myrtle Beach SSD lawyer can help you seek the disability assistance you need, and can help you secure all the disability benefits that you are entitled to by law.
