Social Security Disability

Federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are available to disabled workers and others who quality for government financial assistance.

Manassas Attorney Assistance with SSDI and SSI Claims in Northern Virginia

Manassas attorney Diane McNamara has over 26 years of experience assisting Virginians to recover compensation when an injury or medical condition has led to job loss or the temporary or permanent inability to work. She puts her decades of expertise in the legal field to work for her clients by helping them get the best chance of recovery.

Diane advises injured and disabled clients about their likely eligibility for SSDI or SSI payments, discusses the best way to achieve maximum benefits, compiles medical and job-related documents to prove disability, and generally facilitates the submission and processing of claims. Diane will also fight for you if you are denied, advise you at hearings, and handle requests for reconsideration of your application or review by an Administrative Law Judge.

Perhaps most importantly Diane allows you to put the burdensome details in capable, caring hands. She and her team recognize the physical and financial hardships you and your family are facing. They are committed to providing compassionate, personalized service that gives you a clear understanding of your rights and takes some of the burden off your shoulders. You can be assured that they will handle every detail with the care and attention your claim deserves.

We welcome you to learn more here about applying for Social Security disability benefits in Virginia or to contact attorney Diane McNamara today to get answers to specific questions you have about your situation and eligibility for benefits.

How Do I Know if I am Eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

The first step in receiving SSDI payments requires you to show that you meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of “disability.” This definition is based on your inability to work, and thus your inability to financially support yourself or your family. You will be considered disabled according to the rules if:

• You cannot do the type of work that you did before your injury or medical condition,
• Your medical condition would keep you from being able to do other work, and
• The disability has lasted at least one year or is expected to continue for at least one year or to result in your death.

There are many types of injuries or medical conditions that may qualify you as disabled, from back injuries and bone fractures, to certain mental disorders — including affective and anxiety disorders — to illnesses like chronic heart failure and cancer. Some severe health problems automatically qualify as disabilities. Other conditions require additional investigation into their effect on your ability to work, whether they are curable, and how long they are likely to last.

What is the Difference Between SSDI and SSI Benefits?

SSDI or Social Security Disability Insurance provides benefits for disabled people (and for certain family members) who have paid Social Security taxes and worked a specific number of years before becoming disabled. The number of years you must have worked varies based on how old you were when you became disabled.

SSI or Supplemental Security Income provides payments for people who are disabled, blind or over 65 and who have little to no income or other financial resources, without regard to their work history. SSI is intended to help you pay for basic needs like food, clothing and shelter if you are otherwise unable to support yourself financially. People who are eligible for SSI benefits are often also eligible for supplementary programs, such as Food Stamps, offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

How Do I Apply for SSDI or SSI Benefits?

You can apply for SSDI or SSI benefits in one of three ways: online, by telephone, or by making an appointment at a Social Security office. The application will require you to provide details about your citizenship, family, work history, health and other background information. You will also be asked to provide various documents. For example, you may be required to provide:

• A birth certificate or other proof of birth and/or proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in the United States,
• U.S. military discharge papers,
• W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns,
• Medical records, doctors' reports, and recent test results, and
• Proof of any workers' compensation benefits you have received.

If your request for benefits is denied, you can ask for reconsideration of your application online through the Social Security Administration. If your request is again denied, there are several levels of appeals you can pursue, beginning with requesting a hearing by an Administrative Law Judge, asking for review by the Appeals Council, and filing an appeal in federal court.

Contact an Experienced Attorney for Help with a Virginia Social Security Disability Claim

When you are unable to work and seeking the financial benefits you are due under the law, you may feel overwhelmed with medical and financial details. If you need help applying or proving eligibility for SSDI or SSI benefits, attorney Diane McNamara can answer your questions, assist with your application, or help you fight denial of your claim.

Based in Manassas, Diane and her team work with clients throughout Northern Virginia. The law office is fully handicap accessible and conveniently located near the Prince William Hospital. The team includes bilingual staff who are fluent in Spanish.

For prompt help with seeking SSDI or SSI benefits, call (703) 369-0100 or complete the online form.