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Social Security Disability

If you are unable to work due to severe medical conditions, you are not alone! We can help you receive the social security disability and supplement security income benefits you need to live a good life with your disability. Our team knows how to navigate through the system so you and your family can receive the benefits you deserve.

Social Security Disability benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits may be available to you if you are unable to perform substantial work due to severe medical conditions that render you seriously disabled. Such serious disability must have continued or is expected to continue for one year or more.

Supplemental Security Income benefits may also be available to minors who are found to be disabled under the social security rules and regulations for at least one continuous year or more.

Our team is happy to help you understand what benefits are available to you and help you receive what you need to provide for yourself and your family.

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frequently asked questions

  • “I contacted the Sylvia Lopez office for help about my disability after with going chemo for stage 4 cancer and being denied by the disability office and the Sylvia Lopez made the whole fighting process so easy! They handled everything for medical records to calls with the disability office. The lawyer Rodriguez appeared with me at my court date and walked me through everything. I won my case thank you to the Sylvia Lopez firm. Your hard work is appreciated!”

  • "I will open by saying OMG! The Law Office of Sylvia Lopez, Marcos Rodriguez are 5 star across the board. My first experience with this law firm was for my husband for social security. Ms. Lopez handled his case. The staff was caring, professional, they also accommodated his wheelchair access. We were very pleased with the outcome. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet Mr. Rodriguez. Mr. Rodriguez is working with me on a workers’ comp case. He has been patient, kind, and has given full detail on what to expect about my case. I would definitely recommend!”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Social Security Disability

The following are general answers to basic questions that arise when a person is seriously disabled and applying for either or both Social Security Disability benefits and Supplemental Security Income benefits. This information in not to be construed as applying to every case of this kind and is only to be considered as an orientation to these type of cases.

The Rodriguez Law Firm does not charge for a personal consultation. Attorney fees are only awarded based on a percentage of the recovery of benefits.

  • Two – social security disability insurance benefits and supplemental disability benefits.

  • (SSD) The federal government provides for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits when a person has paid into the social security system, (1) has met the earnings requirements of the law and (2) it is determined that he/she has been/will be DISABLED from substantial work for one continuous year or more.

  • (SSI) this is a needs-based program. A person may be eligible if (1) he/she has never worked, or has earnings in recent years that have been low enough to result in a small social security benefit, or no benefits at all and (2) it is determined that he/she has been/will be DISABLED from substantial work for one continuous year or more.

    NOTE: MINORS who are found to be disabled under the social security rules and regulations for at least one continuous year or more, can also be eligible for these benefits.

  • Yes. This can occur if the person has very low earnings during the prior years before he/she became disabled.

  • A. The first step is to file the INITIAL CLAIM for SSD and/or SSI at the local Social Security Office. Usually, after a few months your claim will be denied and you will receive a denial letter. Do not get discouraged and do not try to make sense of the decision. Contact the Social Security Office to get the appeal forms.

    B. The second step is to APPEAL THE INITIAL DENIAL WITHIN 60 DAYS (plus 5 days for mailing). You will be requesting a RECONSIDERATION of your application. Usually, after another few months you will be denied again and you will receive a second denial letter. Again, do not get discouraged and do not try to make sense of this decision. Contact the social security office to get the appeal forms.

    C. The third step is to APPEAL THE SECOND DENIAL WITHIN 60 DAYS (plus 5 days for mailing). You will be requesting a HEARING. It can take 8-14 months or so, to be able to present your case to an Administrative Law Judge. THIS WILL BE YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT YOUR ENTIRE MEDICAL EVIDENCE AND TO PROVIDE DETAILED TESTIMONY RELATED TO YOUR CLAIM THAT YOU ARE MEDICALLY DISABLED FROM PERFORMING SUBSTANTIAL EMPLOYMENT.

  • AN ATTORNEY CAN ASSIST YOU AT ANY STEP IN THE PROCESS. It is critical that you make contact with an attorney regarding your interest in pursuing any of the SSD and SSI benefits from the very outset. The attorney can provide detailed information regarding the requirements that must be met to acquire any benefits. The attorney can review the existing medical evidence and advise whether other type of medical testing will be necessary to prove your case.

    NOTE: It is likely that with or without an attorney, your case will be denied at the first two stages. However, the attorney can make a huge difference in making sure that your case is well prepared, both in terms of the medical evidence and the testimony, once you proceed to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. If you win and get benefits, the attorney will usually get a set percentage of past benefits due. Therefore, it is better that you take advantage of having an attorney assist you from the very outset, since the attorney fees will likely be the same.

  • YES. However, the odds of prevailing at this stage are substantially reduced. At this stage there is a question whether to appeal the hearing decision or just begin a new application. It is critical that you discuss this matter with an attorney or social security administration representative before making a decision.

The process of obtaining SSD and/or SSI benefits can be extremely frustrating and disheartening. An attorney can be instrumental in the development and preparation of your case so that your chances of acquiring these benefits are increased dramatically.

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