Social Security and Supplemental Security Attorneys near Boston

According to Disabled World, disabled individuals make up for 12% of the United States’ population. While some individuals may have more severe impairments than others, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has created two safety nets for persons seeking financial aid and assistance if they are disabled or suddenly become disabled. Those safety nets are called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security and Disability Insurance (SSDI). If you’re a greater Boston and North Shore area resident looking for legal guidance in navigating SSI or SSDI claims, look no further than the experience in attorney Mark Horrigan. Find out eligibility requirements, the difference between SSI and SSDI, and when you should hire a lawyer below. For general eligibility information in Spanish, consulte la elegibilidad general para SSDI y SSI en español.

Who Is Eligible for SSI or SSDI

Individuals who are eligible for SSDI are usually individuals who are “currently insured” at the time of their disability. This does not mean that a claimant must have private insurance. It means that in order to be eligible for SSDI the claimant must have paid payroll taxes to the government for a defined amount of time before they became disabled from employment or what the government defines as “substantial gainful activity “(e.g., recently defined as earning more than $1,300 per month before taxes). Individuals who are only eligible for SSI must meet strictly defined income and asset limits (e.g., single individuals cannot have more than $2,000 in assets with defined limited exceptions and married individuals cannot have more than $3,000 in assets with limited exceptions).

Difference Between SSI and SSDI

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) are both federal programs administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provide financial assistance to individuals who are disabled. However, there are important differences between the two programs:

Eligibility Criteria:

SSI: SSI is based on financial need and is available to disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Eligibility is not dependent on work history.

SSDI: SSDI is based on work credits earned through payment of Social Security taxes while working. To qualify, individuals must have a certain number of work credits earned based on their age at the time they became disabled.

Source of Funding:

SSI: SSI is funded by general tax revenues.

SSDI: SSDI is funded through payroll taxes (FICA) paid by workers, employers, and self-employed individuals.

Medical Eligibility:

SSI and SSDI: Both programs have similar medical eligibility criteria for determining disability. To qualify for either program, an individual must meet the SSA’s definition of disability, which includes having a condition that prevents substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

Work Incentives:

SSDI: SSDI includes certain work incentives and programs to support individuals in returning to work or maintaining employment while receiving benefits, such as trial work periods and extended eligibility for Medicare.

Why Hire a Lawyer for Social Security or Supplemental Security Cases?

All SSDI or SSI cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. That means there is no fee unless your lawyers wins your case by either a favorable hearing decision from a Social Security administrative law judge or the lawyer convinces SSA  or one of its affiliated agencies  to put you on either SSDI or SSI benefits. Social Security sets the standard in terms of what the terms of a contingent fee agreement can provide. The current standard fee agreement states that the permissible fee is 25% of  any retroactive award or $ 7200, whichever is less.

Hiring an experienced attorney like Mark Horrigan gives you a multitude of benefits. To start, attorney Horrigan has worked in the Lynn and Boston, MA court systems for decades. This means he knows the general flow of proceedings, understands Massachusetts laws and eligibility, and has a good reputation of being a winner. Additionally, social security claims have a high percentage of denials, which means you want someone by your side who can help fight for the compensation you deserve. Lastly, attorney Mark Horrigan is a personal injury lawyer who can help fight all angles of the case. Example: Were you disabled due to negligence? Do we need to go after workers’ compensation?

If you’re ready to meet with an experienced attorney, contact the Law Office of Horrigan & Norman near Boston, MA today! Our team is standing be. Se habla español!