Defining Social Security Rights
Social Security rights are human rights. This is particularly true for those who have disabilities. If you have worked and you have a disability or illness, you may have a right to benefits under the Social Security Act.
The Social Security Administration oversees these benefits. There are three main benefits provided: retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Retirement is what people think about most when it comes to Social Security. If you can obtain full retirement age after working a certain number of years, you will start receiving monthly benefits.
Disability benefits are intended to provide you with income if you become unable to work due to a medical condition. To receive Social Security disability benefits, your medical condition must be so severe that it prevents you from performing basic work-related activities . To qualify, a claimant must be able to show that the medical impairment is expected to last at least twelve months, impairs the ability to do basic work activities, and significantly restricts the ability to perform previous work.
Unfortunately, this particular benefits program has certain flaws that can cause many reasonable, law-abiding individuals, who thought their medical conditions met eligibility requirements, to be denied. Survivor benefits assist family members of a deceased worker when additional financial help is needed. These benefits can also be provided to survivors of workers who meet certain criteria for disability.
No matter what Social Security benefits a person is seeking, applying for the benefit becomes an important first step in securing what they are entitled to.
What is a Social Security Rights Law Center?
Law centers for social security rights are organizations that represent individuals in social security cases, and legal clinics working on social security cases. Law centers for social security rights help individuals who have been denied social security benefits but are not poor enough to qualify for free representation. Including legal advice and social security guidance are part of the services of a law center for social security rights.
A law center for social security rights also refers to social security disability resource centers and social security legal clinics. A social security disability resource center provides legal assistance to disabled individuals who are pursuing or appealing benefit claims with state disability determination services and/or social security administration. A social security legal clinic is a program that provides free legal representation to people appealing their social security disability and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claims.
Social Security Law Centers Offer Services
Beyond the initial claim process, Social Security law centers provide comprehensive support throughout the disability insurance and SSI application process. Their services range from determining clients’ eligibility to representing them in hearings. Because Social Security law centers understand how challenging the application process can be, they help their clients navigate it, offering assistance to get SSDI and SSI benefits as quickly as possible. These centers receive fees only if they are successful in getting clients’ benefits approved, usually between 25% and 33% of the amount awarded in court. This not only allows clients to get quality representation without making large upfront payments, but also shows how dedicated these centers are to winning their clients’ cases.
Selecting a Law Center
When it comes to choosing which law center to hire for your social security rights there are many factors one should consider when determining which law center would be best for a particular individual. Having been accepted by the social security administration is a good start and it is also good that they have experience to back up any representation they are offering. They should also have up to date and relevant training. Furthermore, every law center should have experience with the services they are providing on a regular basis. They should also be actively involved with their community. The preferable method of payment should be a contingency fee agreement as well. Finally, their overall success rate should be available for the public to see and show to the holder. It goes without saying, that a good lawyer should not invoice for anything that is missed that they haven’t collected on. They will need it to build their practice back up to where it was before.
Importance of Having Professional Assistance
The primary benefit of professional legal help in social security disability claims is the obvious increased likelihood of an approved application. Benefits usually include:
— Saving time.
— Stress levels are noticeably lower when you have legal help.
— Physical and psychological benefits.
— Time saved once you decide to use a lawyer.
— Professionals help drive the process move forward , especially once your appointment is scheduled.
When it comes to social security disabled children, a lawyer has insight into all the categories of impairments reviewed. They know the importance of the parents’ income and how they are eligible for certain types of payments. It is their job to identify which child applicables to apply.
At any age, a person can suffer from Social Security. But by hiring a lawyer, it does not matter the age, as the results will be the same.
Case Studies: Helping Others
Catherine D., a resident of North Carolina, managed a thriving florist shop until the state’s economic downturn forced her to reduce her hours. As her income faltered, she was unable to pay her Citi Credit Card. The company filed a lawsuit against her for collection. Catherine, anxious to protect her credit score and secure a payment plan, contacted the Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP). A paralegal advised her about her rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, specifically that creditors must provide notification prior to filing a lawsuit. She also informed Catherine of her rights in terms of garnishment and that her vehicle cannot be repossessed since she is still making payments. GLSP’s assistance proved beneficial when, within two months, Catherine was able to return to full-time work. Now, she is able to pay off her debt amicably without legal action. Paul K. of Florida was sexually harassed at work, which resulted in severe anxiety and depression. After transferring to a desk job, he could no longer work and began losing his substantial savings to pay for living expenses, medicine and weekly therapy sessions. When he found himself on the verge of eviction, Paul went to the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida Attorney Program for the Elderly and Disabled (FLAP-FL) when he thought he might need a power of attorney. They brought in a staff attorney to help Paul prepare for the eviction hearing and they also applied for government disability benefits. Paul prevailed during the eviction hearing and is now receiving disability benefits, allowing him to pay his bills and obtain counsel for his downsizing process. Michael T. was injured in an auto accident with a company driver for an Atlanta housing construction company. The accident forced Michael to stop working as an accountant as he entered into rehabilitation. Despite rehabilitation, Michael was unable to return to work. Medical costs were piling up and he was unable to pay them and buy food and gas. He needed emergency legal assistance to file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. When Michael contacted the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline, he was going through the second reconsideration stage in the SSI process. He was referred to the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline Program Coordinator who requested an income verification from the Social Security Administration. Once received, she was able to file the form in the mail. Michael secured real help from the Georgia Senior Legal Hotline that specifically helped him with his Social Security case.
FAQs
FAQ Section
Q: Who is Eligible for free legal services through a law center?
A: Law center representatives determine who is eligible for assistance based on established criteria for indigence. Each law center has its own criteria based on the types of services they provide.
Q: How much does it cost to receive legal assistance from a law center?
A: All law center services are provided free of charge.
Q: I am a victim of domestic violence and need legal assistance immediately, but I don’t know what to do.
A: Domestic violence resources are available 24/7 in every state. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). 1-800-787-3224 TTY. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You can chat live online at www.thehotline.org to get 24/7 live assistance . You may also reach the National Federation of Families for the treatment of sexual assault at 1-202-544-3553.
Q: Do I have to provide information about my income in order to receive assistance?
A: Yes, all law centers have income guidelines based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines Exclusive of their services. Each law center establishes income guidelines in accordance with these guidelines.
Q: I was recently denied benefits or received a lower benefit amount than I believe I am entitled to. How can a law center assist me in rectifying this issue?
A: A law center attorney will be able to explain your benefits and advise you on what steps may be available to a person whose benefits have been denied or reduced. The law center attorney may also represent you if you need assistance appealing the denial or challenging the reduction.