Social Security Disability

Do You Need Help with Social Security Disability Benefits or Supplemental Security Income?

The lawyers at Dugan & Associates represent disabled workers in applications and appeals regarding Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. SSDI is also known simply as DIB or Disability Insurance Benefits. Because our goal in all situations is to maximize the total recovery for injured workers, we can handle these cases separately, or in coordination with workers' compensation cases. For more information about our ability to help with your claim or appeal, contact a Western Pennsylvania social security disability claim attorney at Dugan & Associates .

Social Security Disability Insurance benefits are available for workers who have worked enough quarters, but who cannot return to work due to a disability. Alternatively, supplemental Security Income (SSI) covers persons who cannot work, but who lack the recent work history that would qualify them for SSDI benefits.

In most cases, we represent clients after their first application for DIB and SSI or other social security claim has been denied. We then prepare the case to address the following questions:

• Have you engaged in "substantial gainful activity"—in other words, have you worked lately?
• Do you have a severe impairment—that is, do you have a physical or mental condition that is recognized by the Social Security Administration as severe enough to keep you from working?
• If not, should your impairment be recognized as the equivalent of a "listing" —that is, a recognized disabling condition?
• Does your impairment disable you from your past relevant work?
• Is there other work you're qualified to perform where you live?

If the evidence we present in your favor shows that you're incapable of returning to work at a job you've held recently, and that no jobs within your capacity are available in your area, your DIB / SSI benefits should be approved.

Social Security disability determinations are sensitive to the claimant's age, education, past income, and past work history. In general, the older and less educated the claimant is, the less severe the impairment may need to be for a favorable ruling.

In some cases, we handle both workers' compensation claims and DIB / SSI claims at the same time. We're able to use information developed in one case to help with the proof of the other. Additionally, we're always careful to make sure that when benefits under one program reduce benefits under another, we attempt to arrange your benefits to maximize your total recovery. For example, where a lump sum settlement might be advisable in a workers' comp case by itself, it might have an adverse impact on your SSDI benefits if you have a case pending under that program as well.

For additional information and a free initial consultation, contact a Pittsburgh attorney who's experienced with injured workers' claims at Dugan & Associates.