Winchester, TN Social Security Disability Lawyer
In Winchester and the greater Tennessee Valley area, many people work in manufacturing and production occupations, both of which have a high rate of on-the-job injury. When those injuries lead to long-term or permanent disability, people may need help determining what benefits they might be able to receive.
Social Security Disability Income has helped many families make up for loss of income, but workers may be unsure whether they can qualify for SSDI while receiving other benefits, such as Workers’ Compensation or payments from other state and federal programs.
John R. Colvin has over twenty years of experience helping people understand and apply for SSDI benefits. Our legal team has successfully appealed denied claims, to getting injured people the disability payments they deserve. If you need help with your SSDI benefits, call our office today at (931) 962-1044.
Disability Denials
In 2013, the Social Security Administration denied 905,098 disability applications from workers in the United States, based on technical reasons. That could mean an application was missing all the necessary paperwork, a form was incomplete – and even a minor typographical error could result in a denial of benefits.
In some cases, applicants for benefits will receive an approval letter, only to learn that upon subsequent review, the Social Security administration determined those benefits were awarded in error.
Every year since 2009, the percentage of people approved for benefits has declined – from 56 percent in 1999, to 30.3 percent in 2013. But with the help of an attorney, people applying for SSDI can at least be confident in knowing their application is accurately completed. Getting legal help doesn’t ensure benefits will be improved, but it can eliminate many of the common mistakes made on initial SSDI paperwork.
You may need to provide records you don’t have, such as a birth certificate, death certificate, and social security number for a former spouse, along with proof of your work history and income. Many people don’t know where to find such documentation, but attorneys know how to track down these records quickly.
John R. Colvin is licensed to practice law in all state courts in Tennessee and Alabama, as well as federal district courts in both states in addition to the United States Supreme Court, so he has the experience to help people at every step of the SSDI process, including appeals.
If you need help with your claim or with your appeal, contact us today at (931) 962-1044.
Other Benefits
People often wonder whether they can receive SSDI while also collecting Workers’ Compensation. Usually, a person can receive both types of benefits, but the total amount of Workers’ Compensation, SSDI, and other benefits may not exceed 80 percent of the person’s average pre-injury earnings. If the total is more than 80 percent, SSDI may reduce payments to a claimant.
There are some exceptions to that rule. Veterans Administration benefits and Supplemental Security Income will not affect SSDI. State and local government benefits will not affect SSDI, as long as Social Security taxes were withheld from those payments.
In the Tennessee Valley, there are some former coalminers who collect occupational injury payments under the Black Lung Benefits Act. The benefits are funded through state and federal programs, and if a person receives state black lung benefits that are less than what the federal government would pay, the federal government pays the difference. Both state and federal black lung benefits may reduce the amount of SSDI a person is eligible to receive.
Local Advice
Unfortunately, Social Security offices aren’t necessarily conveniently located, especially if your disability limits your ability to travel. And while you might be able to complete your application online, sometimes the best way to get answers to your questions is to visit the Social Security office in person.
If you live in Decherd, Cowan, Sewanee, Belvidere, Estill Springs, Huntland, Elora, Lynchburg, Fayetteville, your closest Social Security office is in Tullahoma. If a disability applicant lives east of Interstate 24 and south of McMinnville Highway, which includes the communities of Morrison, Viola, Altamont, Tracy City, and Coalmont the McMinnville office serves as the local office for these communities east of Interstate 24.
No matter where you live in the Tennessee Valley, we are prepared to help you understand SSDI, giving you the best chance at filing a successful claim. We work on a contingent fee basis, meaning we take our fee out of the award you receive from Social Security, so you don’t have to pay money up front for legal help.
Applying for SSDI can be a confusing and intimidating experience, but not when you have legal help. Fill out our online form, or call us today for your free consultation at (931) 962-1044.