Areas of Practice

The Application Process

It is your right as an applicant for Social Security Disability benefits to have a representative. While most claimants do not consider retaining a lawyer until after the initial application as been denied, you may retain us at any point in process including the initial application. Our fees must be approved by the SSA and we charge no fee unless we are successful in securing you benefits.

In order to be eligible for social security disability benefits you must meet the SSA's definition of disabled. This being a severe physical or psychological impairment that prevents a person from working or interferes with work to an extent that you are unable to earn more than $830* a month. The impairment must have lasted or be expected to last at least twelve months.

The decision on whether to grant or deny benefits will be based on your medical records so it is important to have records of ongoing medical care that substantiates the impairment and indicate that it is a long term condition.

You may apply for disability benefits at the time you become disabled. Applications for benefits may be made at your local SSA office (The Owensboro office is at the Cigar Factory Mall on Walnut St.) or by completing the online application at http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/.

You will be notified by mail whether your claim as be approved or denied. If approved, benefits can begin six months after the date the disability began. If denied, then you have 60 days to appeal. Approximately 60% of all claims are initially denied.*