Social Security Disability Attorney for Rhinelander

If you live in the Rhinelander or Northwoods area and have applied for, or are considering applying for Social Security Disability, here are some possible questions you may have (This information is general, so please consult with a lawyer regarding the specifics of your situation):

Who is eligible for Social Security Disability? Generally, a worker insured under the Social Security Act is disabled if they are unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” due to an impairment or combination of impairments either physical or mental. Your medical condition that causes the impairment must have lasted at least 12 months, or be expected to last 12 months by your doctor.

How Severe Must My Impairment(s) Be? Your impairment(s) must be severe enough to significantly affect your ability to work. Social Security will first check to see if any of your impairments are on a list of impairments that they maintain. If it is, you may be found disabled at this stage of the process. If not, you may still be disabled if you can show that the severity of your impairment prevents you from performing any past work you have done, and also from performing any other work that exists in substantial numbers in the state or national economy.

Who is eligible for Social Security Disability? A person insured under the Social Security Act is disabled if they are unable to engage in “substantial gainful activity” due to an impairment or combination of impairments either physical or mental. Again, your medical condition that is causing your disability must have lasted at least 12 months, or be expected to last 12 months.

Can I Apply for Social Security Disability While Still Employed? A person who works part time and earns an amount not considered to constitute “substantial gainful activity” could still be disabled. If you earn $1,170.00 in gross income or less per month in 2017, you may still be eligible to claim disability under Social Security regulations. These threshold amounts normally change each year so please check the current guidelines or call an attorney. If you continue to work and are earning quite a bit more than the threshold amount, then you normally cannot be found disabled so long as you maintain the ability to sustain Substantial Gainful Activity, even though you may be in pain or have great difficulty. Please consult with a lawyer regarding your specific situation.

Can I Appeal My Denial of Social Security Disability Benefits? Yes. Many people are not approved for benefits until the second or third appeal to Social Security. The Social Security Administration is overwhelmed with applications and you may not get a thorough review of your case until you are able to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If you believe you are disabled, you should keep appealing until you can have a hearing before a judge. Generally, you have 60 days to file an appeal to a decision or denial by the Social Security Administration. However, check with a lawyer as the time frames for filing appeals can be different, depending at what stage of the appeals process you are at.

What Happens at My Social Security Hearing? Many things will happen at your hearing before the administrative law judge, and things will likely happen fast. You should file all evidence, including medical records, with the Social Security Administration prior to your hearing. You will be required to testify at your hearing, and you should provide honest and accurate answers and information to the judge. Medical and Vocational experts may also be present and may testify about issue critical to your case. If these experts provide testimony that suggests that there are jobs in the workforce that you can still do, then you will need to introduce facts and evidence that challenges these experts. An experienced attorney can do this for you. A good lawyer can properly question these witnesses, present all necessary evidence, and address the other issues critical to your claim.

How To Obtain Your Free Consultation and Case Assessment? Just call our office or send us an Email to set up your free consultation. You can always contact us directly at the contact information appearing on this website. Your first consult with Attorney John R. Jokela is free, and he can be contacted directly at 715-845-9000.