Social Security Disability

Disability can be an insurmountable obstacle to earning a living. If you or a family member is disabled, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. But the Social Security system and its rules are complex, and it is often difficult to get disability benefits the first time you apply.

If you suffer from a disease, condition or injury and can no longer work, and the Social Security Administration determines that you are unable to perform substantial gainful activity for a period of 12 months or longer, you should be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

However, the standards for proving disability under the Social Security Administration's rules are quite strict and require that you be totally disabled. Unlike the Minnesota workers' compensation laws, partial disability benefits and temporary total and temporary partial benefits are not available under the Social Security Administration rules. If you have applied for Social Security disability benefits and your claim has been denied, Nelson Law Office, through its Social Security Disability Law Center can effectively represent you in your appeal to the Social Security Administration. Our job is to help you substantiate your claim of disability on appeal and get you the disability benefits you deserve. We help you obtain your medical records and prepare the evidence necessary to prove your disability at your appeal hearing.

Tips for Social Security Disability Claimants

• If your claim for Social Security disability benefits has been denied you have the right to appeal that denial, but must do so within 60 days after the date you receive the denial.
• Take action as soon as possible to engage a lawyer to help you in your appeal. Procrastination will only hurt you and make it harder for your lawyer to effectively advocate for you in your appeal.
• Go to the Social Security Administration's website at www.ssa.gov. It contains a lot of information that will be helpful to you in preparing your initial disability application, as well as in appealing your denied claim.