How Does SSDI Back Pay Work?

How Does SSDI Back Pay Work?

The process to get Social Security Disability Insurance benefits is a long one. Even if you’re approved as soon as possible, it can still take some time before you start to see those benefits. If you’re initially declined and later win benefits upon appeal, a lot more time will pass where you don’t see any money coming in to cover your disability costs. 

Fortunately, SSDI includes back pay in which you can be retroactively awarded the benefits you would have received had your claim been approved right away. There are a few factors to keep in mind about back pay to ensure you’re getting all the benefits you deserve. Learn all the details about how back pay works.

How Much Back Pay Is Awarded?

The specific amount of back pay you receive can vary quite a bit based on a variety of factors. For the most part, your back pay depends on the date the Social Security Administration determines that your disability began. This will be the official established onset date determined by a Disability Determination Services (DDS) examiner or administrative law judge. Medical records will be required to establish a specific date.

SSDI back pay works a bit differently than SSI back pay. While SSI back pay is provided incrementally to not put too much strain on Social Security services in general, SSDI back pay is provided in one lump sum, so you’ll be awarded the back pay in a single instance to make up for the coverage lost during the length of the approval process.

How Far Back Does Back Pay Stretch?

While back pay can stretch back as far as the official established onset date, there is a limit to how far back that coverage can go. At most, back pay can be awarded from up to 12 months before the date of your application. If your established onset date is more than 12 months prior to your application date, you will only receive coverage from those 12 months.

It’s also important to remember that there’s an established five-month waiting period when applying for SSDI. If you’re approved before the five-month waiting period is over, you won’t be entitled to any back pay. The 12-month limit also applies. For example, if you finally receive your benefits 18 months after your application, and your established onset date is the day you applied, then you’ll only be awarded back pay for the past 12 months rather than the full 18.

When Is Back Pay Awarded?

Planning for your back pay is a bit unpredictable. There are instances in which you may get back pay shortly after your disability benefits are approved, or you may have already been receiving disability payments for a while once your back pay is applied. In some cases, you may find the back pay in your account without any kind of notice before your regular benefits even start coming in. 

Back Pay As Income

SSDI and SSI work a bit differently and involve a new set of rules when you apply for both. The most noticeable difference is that your back pay under SSDI will count as income when determining the SSI you qualify for. This is because back pay is treated as funds you had access to throughout your disability period. That means your SSI will likely be reduced in response to the additional countable income. 

Hire a Disability Attorney for Back Pay Issues

Dealing with back pay when trying to get disability benefits can be a long and frustrating process. Having an experienced attorney at your side throughout the case will make the entire process easier and increase your chances of getting all the benefits you deserve. That’s where Joel Thrift Law is happy to help. We have a long history of success with Social Security and disability cases, and we’re happy to help you get the benefits you deserve in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Get in touch with our team today, and we can schedule you for a free consultation.

What Is SSDI Presumptive Disability?

What Is SSDI Presumptive Disability?

It’s no secret that the process for getting Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI can be time-consuming. There are several factors to consider, and numerous applicants must be sorted through before a decision can be made about your claim. Your disability may not be able to wait through that process, but there are benefits that can be received before final approval of your SSDI claim. 

These benefits come from what’s known as presumptive disability or a temporary source of payments in response to certain ailments and conditions that qualify. Here’s everything you need to know about presumptive disability.

Eligibility for Presumptive Disability

To get presumptive disability payments, you have to make sure you’re eligible first. There are quite a few conditions that qualify including the following:

  • Total deafness
  • Total blindness
  • Bed confinement
  • Immobility without a wheelchair
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Down syndrome
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Any illness with a life expectancy of six months or less
  • End-stage renal disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

The aforementioned conditions are just a few that qualify for presumptive disability benefits, but having one or more of them is not the only requirement. You must also have limited income or net worth in accordance with Social Security Administration standards. The overall purpose of Social Security is to protect people from the burden of expensive care, so you won’t get benefits if you can already afford that cost on your own.

Length of Presumptive Disability Payments

Since presumptive disability is provided while you’re waiting for a response to your Social Security claim, they only last for a certain period of time. For the most part, these benefits last no longer than six months, but your initial filing will be approved or rejected by that point. Getting these payments also depends on how severe your condition is based on the available evidence at the time. 

The likelihood of your Social Security benefits being approved will also affect the approval of presumptive disability payments, so if you get presumptive disability, it’s likely that your Social Security Insurance will be approved by the end of the six-month period. It’s important to note that not all SSI claims will be approved or rejected by the time this period is over.

How Much Is the Presumptive Disability Payment Amount?

The specific amount you’ll be rewarded in presumptive disability payments depends on your countable income more than anything else. This includes both earned and unearned income such as regular wages and unemployment benefits. The most important thing to remember is that if you earn too much, you’re not going to qualify for SSI, which includes presumptive disability payments.

What if SSI Is Denied?

Presumptive disability payments are awarded while your SSI claim is pending. If your claim ends up being denied, you’re not responsible for repaying your presumptive disability payments. You won’t have to repay them if your SSI claim is approved either. Essentially, you don’t have to worry about paying back your presumptive disability in these instances.

While presumptive disability usually doesn’t have to be paid back, there are some situations that will require you to repay the cost. The most common is an error in your countable income. If it later comes to light that you have more income at your disposal than previously determined, you’ll be legally required to pay back the presumptive disability payments. Essentially, any kind of reason you might be overpaid will require you to pay back the excess.

How to Apply for Presumptive Disability

Applying for presumptive disability is among the easiest parts of the entire SSI process, as you can do it alongside your primary SSI claim. You may be able to get fast approval at your local SSA field office. You’ll just need valid confirmation from a reliable medical source about your condition such as a leg amputation at the hip or another qualifying condition. 

If your request for presumptive disability is initially declined, you can forward your claim to Disability Determination Services. You’re more likely to be granted benefits there and they tend to be much more lenient about what conditions and what severity qualify a person for presumptive disability benefits.

Hire a Social Security Attorney

To have the best experience navigating through the presumptive disability process, it’s best to have an experienced social security attorney at your side. That’s where Joel Thrift Law is happy to help. Our history of success with SSDI appeals and beyond can help you get the benefits you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

How to Fill Out a Job History Report for Social Security

How to Fill Out a Job History Report for Social Security

Shortly after you file a claim for Social Security benefits, you will receive a form in the mail asking you give details about your past work. Social Security wants to know about the jobs you did during the fifteen years prior to the date you claimed you became disabled. Quite frankly, this form is not that important if you are under 50 years old because you’ll need to show that you cannot do any kind of job. However, if you are over 50 or approaching 50, it’s important to fill this form out correctly because it can make or break your case. (For information on how age affects your Social Security case, take a look at this prior article) 

Why Social Security Wants To Know Your Work History

The first thing you need to understand is why Social Security needs to know your work history. In order to get benefits, you have to show that you cannot do your past work or any other work.  Therefore, Social Security wants to know the physical requirements of your past job and whether you developed any special skills in that job that would qualify you for another job.

In order to determine whether you can do your past work, Social Security relies on vocational experts to tell them the physical requirements of jobs. These are people who have worked in job placement and have expertise in what different jobs require. Social Security will simply ask the vocational expert if you can do your past work given a set of restrictions. If the vocational expert says you can do your past work, you are not disabled under Social Security’s rules. If you cannot do your past work, Social Security will move on to the next step to determine if there is other work you can do.

Because Social Security is looking at your past work, it’s important to accurately describe your past work when filling out this form. Do not let pride get in the way. If you describe yourself as a supervisor when you were really more of a lead worker, the vocational expert might misclassify your past work and say that it was less strenuous than it actually was. Likewise, really think about how much you had to lift and how much of your time was spent standing and walking. The more strenuous your job was the less likely it is that a vocational expert will say you can do your past work. You should also specifically include the duties that you think you can no longer do. 

If You’re Over 50

If you’re over 50, Social Security is also looking at your job description to see if you learned any special skills that would make it easier for you to transition to other work. Again, pride is your enemy here. If your employer gave you an exaggerated title to make your job seem more skilled than it was, then describe the job you did and do not overstate the skill level needed to do the job. If the majority of your job was physical you want to make sure that comes out clearly in your job description. This is not a resume for a job you want. Do not emphasize the customer service skills you developed while waiting tables at Waffle House. If you helped your boss out one time with some paperwork, you were not a clerical worker. Further, even if some of your job involved paperwork, be specific about what you did so the vocational expert does not think you did more than you actually did. 

The key to filling out this form is to remember the goal. The goal is to get the disability benefits you need. You need to be honest with yourself about what you did in your job and make sure it does not overstate your qualifications. 

What Does “Appeals Under Review” Status Mean for SSD Claims?

What Does "Appeals Under Review" Status Mean for SSD Claims?

The Social Security Disability (SSD) claims process can be a long one, especially if your initial application gets denied. Whether you’ve worked with a Social Security lawyer from the start or you’re interested in bringing one on board to help navigate the appeals process, it can be helpful to have someone by your side as you await a final decision. From filing your initial claim to submitting the appropriate medical history information and keeping up with appointments, it can be difficult to know exactly where you stand with the Social Security Administration (SSA). But what happens when you receive paperwork stating that you have an “appeal under review?” Keep reading to learn more about the SSD/SSI appeals process and what this common step means for your claim.

Key Steps in the Social Security Disability Appeals Process

It is common for most Social Security Disability claims to be denied at the initial determination and reconsideration stages of the process. Typically, the initial determination period for an SSD claim takes about 120 days. If your claim has been denied at the initial determination stage, it’s essential to quickly file to appeal the decision. From there, the reconsideration stage takes about 90 days to process. During this part of the appeals process, your claim will be reviewed by a new examiner and you may be able to include new supportive evidence to outline the effects of your condition.

Additional SSD Appeals Steps

If your claim is not approved at the reconsideration stage, you can appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council where additional evidence can be offered. This stage of the process id lengthy, taking around 270 days for a decision. From here your claim will likely take one of 3 different paths, including:

  • An overturn of the initial denial and an award of benefits
  • Returning the disability claim to the ALJ for a new decision
  • Denial of the request for review or refusal of benefits (if this happens, your claim must be appealed at a federal level within 60 days)

Finally, if your claim is denied at the ALJ level, you can take I to federal court, the final step in the appeals process that typically takes up to 540 days. This is where the help of an experienced Social Security attorney is needed to argue your claim.

What Does “Appeal Under Review” Mean?

If you receive paperwork stating that your appeal is under review at any point during this process, it means that a decision has been made regarding your claim. However, it is still under review to determine the accuracy of the information you’ve provided and to make sure that you followed all the necessary Social Security Administration rules and regulations when filing your claims paperwork. Although a decision has been made and your appeal is under review, this does not indicate whether the decision is favorable or unfavorable. For further details, it is recommended that you speak with your Social Security attorney.

Contact the Team at Joel Thrift Law Today

Are you interested in learning more about how to file a Social Security Disability claim? Or have you already received a denial at the initial determination stage of the process? With so many different stages to navigate and strict rules that must be followed from the SSA, it’s easy to feel lost without the guidance of an experienced lawyer by your side. At Joel Thrift Law, we’ve got the knowledge and skills necessary to help you through every step of the appeals process and to make sure you understand what new terms mean for your claim. Give us a call at (404) 618-4816 or contact us today for more information and to schedule an initial consultation.

How Many Times Can You Appeal a Social Security Disability Claim?

How Many Times Can You Appeal a Social Security Disability Claim?

Nothing is more frightening than getting a denial letter from the Social Security Administration when you are disabled and cannot work. Unfortunately, this happens to millions of people each day. If this has happened to you recently, don’t despair. You have the right to appeal this decision several times in front of an Appeals Council and an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

An appeal should be filed as soon as possible if you receive a denial from the SSA. Also, never just re-apply if you have been denied disability benefits. Re-filing does nothing to ensure you will be approved and it may complicate filing an appeal at a later date.

To avoid further delays with getting the benefits you deserve, call the Law Office of Joel Thrift today to schedule a consultation with an experienced disability attorney. Our legal team has successfully litigated first, second and third disability claims appeals for clients who are unable to work due to a disabling physical or psychological condition.

The First Appeal: Reconsideration

Upon receiving your first denial letter, you can file an appeal called a “reconsideration”. This begins a claim review by individuals not involved in the original review and ultimate denial. Reconsideration appeals must be filed within 60 days or the SSA will close your disability case. In most cases, a reconsideration appeal does not require you to be physically present. New evidence is allowed during the reconsideration process.

The Second Appeal: Administrative Law Judge Hearing

After a reconsideration denial, you can move on to the second appeal phase involving a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This appeal must also be filed within 60 days of a reconsideration denial. Before rendering a decision, an ALJ judge will evaluate medical evidence already submitted proving your disability and determine if the initial appeal reviewers made process errors regarding their denial determination. Having a disability attorney represent you in front of an ALJ can significantly increase your chance of the judge overturning a reconsideration decision.

The Third Appeal: Appeals Council

You can file an appeal with the SSA Appeals Council if an ALJ denies your claim. The Appeals Council will also evaluate all aspects of the ALJ’s decision for possible technical errors. They can further remand (return) your case to the same ALJ who denied your claim and order another hearing. In other words, an Appeals Council can overturn an ALJ’s decision, uphold an ALJ’s decision or remand your claim.

The Fourth and Final Appeal: Filing a Federal Lawsuit

When a disability claim is denied three times, you can take your claim to the federal level by filing it with a U.S. District Court in your city or state. You will need to be represented by a disability attorney at this point who will submit a written complaint to the appropriate district court. Once the SSA receives your attorney’s complaint, an SSA lawyer will file a response in district court. This response contains the reasons why the SSA has consistently denied to approve your claim.

Why Does the Social Security Administration Deny Disability Claims?

Lack of adequate medical documentation proving a disability, incomplete or wrongly filled out paperwork and inability to show you have followed through with prescribed treatments are leading reasons why disability claims are routinely denied. The disability attorneys at Joel Thrift Law genuinely care about our clients who cannot work through no fault of their own and will work tirelessly to get you approved for monthly benefits.

Call the Law Office of Joel Thrift today for immediate assistance with your disability claim denials.

Can You Transition From SSI benefits to SSDI benefits?

Can You Transition From SSI benefits to SSDI benefits?

The primary difference between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is that SSDI is an earned benefit while SSI is intended for low-income individuals and people over 65. Qualifying for SSDI involves working and earning taxable wages to accumulate enough credits for receiving monthly benefits. Alternately, if you do not have enough credits to qualify for SSDI and have limited income, the Social Security Administration may approve you for SSI benefits. In addition, SSDI is a program supported by taxes while SSI is supported by the federal government.

How Can Someone Transition from SSI to SSDI?

People receiving SSI who unexpectedly became disabled in their 20s or 30s may not have worked enough years to qualify for SSDI. At first glance, it seems unlikely for someone on SSI to transition from SSI to SSDI. But under certain SSA guidelines, it may be possible.

SSI recipients who began receiving benefits before the age of 22 could transition to SSDI if one parent becomes disabled, passes away or retires. The SSA’s Disabled Adult Child Program permits qualified SSI recipients to transition to SSDI so they can receive half of a parent’s Social Security benefits or 75 percent of a parent’s benefits if that parent dies. If the new SSDI payments are more than the previous SSI payments, this will stop the recipient from receiving SSI payments altogether.

Medicaid eligibility is not affected by the transition from SSI to SSDI benefits as long as the SSDI recipient is single or married to someone who is also receiving Disabled Adult Child Program benefits. Moreover, after a beneficiary receives SSDI for two years, they also begin accessing Medicare benefits.

Transitioning from SSI to SSDI By Earning Credits

Depending on the severity of their disability, some SSI recipients are capable of working part-time. It is possible they could eventually accumulate enough work credits to transition from SSI to SSDI at some point. If you are an SSI beneficiary who works part-time, keep careful track of your hours worked and how many credits you have accumulated from paying Social Security taxes.

What exactly are work credits? The SSA bases the amount of work credits workers receive on total annual wages. Workers are limited to earning no more than four credits per year. Currently, anyone paying Social Security taxes through employment will earn one credit when they have made $1,400 in wages. Once you have earned four credits, this means you have earned $5,640. Earning beyond this amount will not give you more credits for that year. However, younger workers could qualify for SSDI with less credits than older workers need to receive SSDI.

Contact Joel Thrift Law Today for Immediate Legal Help with Disability Claims

Navigating the complexities of applying for SSI or SSDI or transitioning from one disability program to another can be time-consuming and stressful when you are the one disabled or you are taking care of a disabled individual. Joel Thrift Law has been helping clients get the disability benefits they deserve by representing them after they have been denied by the SSA or handling their disability claim from the beginning. Call us today to learn more about transitioning from SSI to SSDI or to schedule a consultation appointment.

How Long Does Will it Take for A Disability Lawyer to Win your Disability Appeal?

How Long Does Will it Take for A Disability Lawyer to Win your Disability Appeal?

Denial of Social Security disability claims is not uncommon. In fact, over half of all first-time disability applications are denied by the Social Security Administration. Although an appeals process is available to those who think they were wrongfully denied, this process is lengthy, stressful and complicated.

Having an experienced disability attorney who knows how to present a legally tight disability case to the SSA can substantially increase your chances of being quickly approved for monthly benefits. If your disability claim has been denied, contact Joel Thrift Law today for immediate assistance.

Why You Should Hire an Atlanta Disability Attorney to Manage Your Disability Appeal

The Social Security Administration offers four types of appeals: reconsideration, appealing to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and presenting your case to an Appeals Council Review Board. If your claim is denied by all three appeals processes, you have the option of taking your disability claim to a Federal Court.

Hiring a disability lawyer to file a reconsideration appeal following receipt of a first-time denial will shorten the time it takes to get approved. Disability attorneys like Joel Thrift specialize in:

  • Completing disability claims that concisely prove you have met SSA criteria for being disabled and unable to perform work
  • Gathering medical documents to clearly demonstrate all your impairments
  • Communicating expeditiously with your physicians in ways that will bolster your claim

If you handled a reconsideration appeal by yourself and received a denial, the next step is to hire a disability lawyer who can file an appeal with an ALJ. No new medical evidence is allowed to be submitted during this “second” appeal stage. Instead, an administrative law judge reviews why your claim was denied by SSA claims processors to determine if the right decision was made. Your disability attorney knows how to write a “brief” that presents a solid argument why the ALJ should reconsider the original decision. Additionally, your lawyer can expedite the process by providing the ALJ with a prewritten decision the judge may use. This saves time by performing a task the judge would normally have to take several weeks to do.

Rarely does a disability claim reach the final two stages of the appeals process–the Appeals Council or Federal Court–when you have a disability attorney handling your claim. Don’t let financial instability worry you for months or even years if you are disabled and can no longer work. Schedule a consultation appointment at Joel Thrift Law today before you submit your first claim to the SSA.

Wait Times for Appealing a Denied Disability Claim

Depending on how understaffed or busy your local Social Security Administration office is, you could wait up to six to nine months to receive a reply regarding a reconsideration appeal. Since the majority of reconsideration appeals are denied, you can expect to wait a full year to receive a reply from the SSA after sending your denied claim to an administrative law judge.

Unless you are suffering from a terminal illness or have a child with a serious genetic disorder like Down’s Syndrome, you should always allow a seasoned disability attorney to manage your disability claim from start to finish. The SSA’s Blue Book of Medical Conditions lists strict criteria to qualify for specific disorders and diseases. If you do not meet these criteria because you have not submitted proper medical documentation and physician reports, they will deny your claim.

We are here to help you get the disability benefits you deserve. Call our office today.

Keys for Finding Social Security Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia

Keys for Finding Social Security Lawyers in Atlanta, Georgia

Navigating the waters of the Social Security Administration’s requirements can be a challenge that requires help to accomplish. If you plan to apply for SSDI or SSI, you’ll need professional and experienced legal help, so it’s important to find the right attorney. You need a lawyer you can trust and who specializes in social security law. Learn these important keys to finding the right social security lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, and where you can go for help with your application or appeal.

Beware of Promises

The best social security lawyers won’t deliver promises or guarantees that you’ll get approved or get a certain amount of dollars for your injuries. A good attorney will discuss the strengths of your case with you and will point out any issues you might have. They will give their opinion on your chances but will never make a promise. What they will do is talk straight to you at all times and always be realistic about where your case is and where they see it going. Beware of those who make promises of specific dollar figures or who guarantee victory. 

Free Consultation

A good attorney will be willing to sit down with you for a free consultation on your case. Even more, while you may speak to a staff member on your initial phone call, your initial face-to-face meeting will be with the actual attorney who will be handling your case. Social Security attorneys are very busy, but it’s important to find one who will take the time to work directly with you. You want an attorney who will make you a priority and who will always be willing to give you the personal time you need. 

Research Online

Do some research on the attorney you’re considering. You want to know what their approval rate is and how often they win full benefits as opposed to partial or refusals. Research their credentials, experience and qualifications. Check into their case history as far as you can. Many attorneys will list such qualifications right on their own website. You can also search them through your local bar association. 

Seek Recommendations

If you have a general attorney, they might be able to recommend a Social Security lawyer to you. If you know people who have gone through the process, they might be able to offer recommendations. Word of mouth can be a great way to find a reliable lawyer. Failing this, simply look up the attorneys you are considering online and see what their ratings and reviews are. You can also check with your local bar association for information.

Ask Questions

While some of your research can be done online, some will need to come from direct questions in your consultation. Find out who will be handling your case, if there’s a central point of contact who will be dedicated to communications with you, and what their communication policies are.

Some firms assign paralegals to represent clients; but if you can find one that offers an actual attorney to represent you, you will likely be better off. An attorney will be more well-versed in the ins and outs of Social Security law and will be better poised to represent you.

Finally, at your initial consultation, ask about your attorney’s case history, their track record of winning and exactly how they will handle your case. A good attorney will be happy to answer any questions you have. 

Educate Yourself

Finally, educate yourself on the basics of Social Security law. Read as much as you can find from the Social Security website and be as familiar as you can. That way, when you speak with your attorney, you’ll be armed with the specific questions you need to have answered. A bit of knowledge can go a very long way in choosing the right attorney.

Social Security Lawyer Atlanta

If you’re in the Atlanta area and you need help with a social security case, Joel Thrift Law LLC can help. For over a decade, Joel Thrift has represented hundreds of clients and recovered millions in settlements. He values communication and always makes an effort to return calls promptly. If you’re looking for a Social Security lawyer in Atlanta that you can trust, call Joel Thrift Law LLC today.

What’s the difference between SSDI & Long-Term Disability (ERISA)?

What's the difference between SSDI & Long-Term Disability (ERISA)?

ERISA (the Employee Retirement Income Security Act) is a federal law established in 1974 that sets minimum standards for pension, health, life and disability insurance plans offered by employers to employees. Applying only to nongovernmental (private sector) companies, ERISA guidelines further require employers to provide workers with a “grievance and appeals” procedure through which they can receive benefits. Additionally, ERISA protects all employees from violations by plan fiduciaries. A fiduciary is a person given discretionary control over benefits and management of plans. ERISA mandates that a fiduciary works solely in the best interest of plan members.

Alternately, employers hire fiduciaries to develop employee retirement plans that do not pose financial risks to their business. If a fiduciary is responsible for retirement plans that cause large losses for employees participating in an ERISA plan, that individual could be held accountable for replacing that loss.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

If you become disabled, have paid a certain amount of Social Security taxes and have worked enough in the past to accumulate “credits”, the Social Security Administration will pay monthly benefits to you if your claim is approved. Also called “total disability”, SSDI is only awarded to claimants who are unable to do any kind of “gainful employment” for at least one year.

SSDI should not be confused with Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federally funded disability benefit meant for people who have little income and have not worked long enough to earn sufficient credits to qualify for SSDI.

What is the Difference Between Private Disability Insurance (ERISA) and SSDI?

The main difference between ERISA disability benefits and SSDI is the fact that private disability insurance (PDI) is provided by Standard, Hartford and other large insurance companies while SSDI is provided by Social Security taxes paid for by people who earn wages.

Other differences between PDI and SSDI include:

  • PDIs are contracts between insured individuals and private insurance companies designed to provide monetary coverage in case the employee becomes disabled and cannot work. The definition of whether an employee is disabled is usually defined by the insurer. SSDI benefits have nothing to do with a contract. Instead, it is wholly based on a person’s work history and amount of Social Security taxes they have paid
  • In some cases, PDIs may offer more coverage than SSDI. Further, certain private insurance companies may have a less strict definition of what constitutes a disability than criteria listed in the SSA’s Blue Book of Impairments.
  • Employees making ERISA claims are more likely to encounter aggressive questioning by private insurer attorneys regarding the validity of their disability. Alternately, SSDI claims are not represented by SSA attorneys. Instead, any appeal of an SSDI denial is heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who reviews the denial process performed by SSA claims agents

What To Do If Your Private Disability Insurance Company Denies Your Claim

Generic PDI claim denials, refusal of employers to work with employees who have become disabled and lack of assistance from PDIs regarding appeals are just a few reasons why you should contact an attorney specializing in ERISA claims as soon as you experience problems with a PDI claim.

Alternately, you might want to schedule a consultation appointment with Joel Thrift Law to determine if there is also a warranted SSDI claim we can help you submit and get approved. In many cases, we find our clients do have an existing SSDI claim that is valid concurrent with their ERISA long-term disability claims. Whether you are having problems understanding an ERISA or SSDI/SSI claim, our Atlanta disability attorneys offer expertise and guidance throughout the submission and approval process.

Call Joel Thrift Law today for immediate legal help with your SSDI/SSI application.