Two federal disability programs, one central question: how do your medical conditions affect your ability to sustain work?
The Social Security Administration traces its origins to the Social Security Act of 1935, which created old-age insurance, unemployment insurance, and means-tested welfare programs. Disability protections developed over time as Congress expanded the Social Security system and refined how disability claims are evaluated.
The program has continued to evolve through legislative reforms, agency regulations, court decisions, and changes in administrative practice. For claimants, the system can feel highly technical. Our role is to make that system more understandable and to develop the evidence needed for an individualized decision.
SSDI may pay monthly benefits to a disabled worker who has sufficient insured status based on work history and Social Security taxes. Certain family members may also qualify for benefits on the worker’s earnings record.
Because insured status can expire, the date disability began may be especially important in a Title II claim.
SSI is based on financial need. It may provide benefits to an eligible person who meets Social Security’s disability standard and the program’s income and resource requirements.
A claimant may apply for SSDI, SSI, or both, depending on work history and financial circumstances.
Social Security generally asks whether a medically determinable impairment prevents substantial work and has lasted or is expected to last at least twelve months or result in death.
The agency considers whether the claimant can perform past work and, if not, whether the claimant can adjust to other work considering functional limitations and vocational factors. The analysis may involve medical records, opinion evidence, testimony, work history, age, education, and transferable skills.
You may be unsure whether your conditions are severe enough, whether you have enough work credits, or what evidence to gather.
Deadlines matter after a denial. An appeal is an opportunity to correct omissions, update the record, and challenge the agency’s reasoning.
Hearing preparation includes reviewing the record, identifying the strongest theory of the case, preparing testimony, and addressing vocational issues.