Our Social Security Disability Services

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There’s no planning for the onset of a sudden illness or disability. Injuries and other issues can occur at a moment’s notice and completely transform the way you live your life. Unfortunately, for many people throughout Louisiana, this means that they’re quite suddenly no longer able to perform their jobs and, therefore, no longer able to provide for themselves and their families. 

This is precisely why disability is such a crucial support to people throughout the state. If you’ve recently experienced an injury, debilitating condition, or other severe situation that’s left you unable to work for extended periods of time to support yourself, you’re entitled to disability benefits. However, getting those benefits can often seem like a difficult, insurmountable process.  Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle the application process on your own. 

The social security disability lawyers at Leavitt & Meunier Law LLC  in Metairie, Louisiana are here to guide you through the process from beginning to end in order to make applying simple, straightforward, and successful. Our goal is to give you the best chance of getting the support you need to continue living your life with some degree of financial stability and security. 

Our team has worked closely with disability courts throughout Louisiana over the years, and our intimate knowledge of the process helps us ensure your application is in order and that the odds are stacked in your favor throughout the entire ordeal.

Disability is defined as a physical or mental condition that limits a person’s ability to provide for themselves through work and activities. If you or a loved one suffers from a condition that limits your life activities, you may qualify for financial assistance. 

Disabilities that qualify for financial support can be either physical or mental, as long as it’s provable that the disability in question limits your ability to maintain a stable financial situation on your own. Establishing disability through a qualified medical professional is a requirement for applying for disability payments.

You work hard every month to make sure you have enough money to pay off your bills and cover any unexpected expenses. But what if something were to happen to you or your loved ones, leaving them without an income?

Although injuries and disabilities may occur at any age, people in their 20s are much more likely to develop them. Fortunately, because of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you could get covered if you suffer an injury or illness that makes working difficult or impossible before retirement.

But, SSA has strict measures of eligibility for disability benefits. The SSA will consider:

• If you're currently working? If your answer is yes, your earnings must be below the monthly average.
• Is your condition severe? Are you limited in your ability to do work-related activities?
• Is your condition on the SSA's disabled list? If it's not on the list, SSA will decide if it is as severe as a similar medical condition on the list.
• Are you able to return to your previous job? Does your condition prevent you from performing your last job?
• Are you able to work other jobs, i.e., housework? If you could not perform your last job, SSA will look to see if you could do different kinds of work.

Figuring out if you are eligible for disability benefits is a process. It can be overwhelming and confusing — luckily, the social security lawyers at Leavitt & Meunier Disability Attorneys have been serving their clientele for over two decades in Alexandria, Houma, Baton Rouge, Metairie, New Orleans, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport.

In addition to meeting these criteria, you should also demonstrate that you have a history of employment before becoming unable to work due to your disability. 

You must have held a position within your industry for a minimum of 5 years in the last ten years and held a job for an entire year if you were under age 30. 

If you are between the ages of 21 and 30, you must have held a full-time position for at least half the time since you turned 21. Finally, if you are younger than 21, you must have worked for half of the time since you reached 21.

The SSA offers various social security disability benefits for those eligible for the program.

To qualify for these benefits, you need to meet the following:

• Unmarried
• Over 18 years of age
• Developed a disability before you turned 22
• At least one of your parents receives Social Security benefits or is deceased and was insured.

This is the most common benefit available. To qualify for SSDI, you need to:

• Have earned sufficient Social Security credits according to SSA criteria.
• You can no longer work due to a disability that can last for at least 12 months or can result in death.

To be eligible for this benefit, you need to:

• Provide proof of the spouse's death
• Provide proof of birth
• Show that you're a U.S. citizen or a lawful alien in the country
• Provide a marriage certificate
• Provide your W-2 forms and self-employment tax returns for last year
• U.S. military discharge papers if you were in service before 1968
• Final divorce papers, if you're the surviving spouse

You can apply for SSDI by visiting the SSA website or one of the Louisiana offices. You'll have to provide your medical details, the required work credits, and other documentation to prove your eligibility.

Hiring a disability lawyer in Louisiana can help increase your chance of qualifying for SSDI.

The SSA processes thousands of Social Security applications daily. However, your disability claim can be denied for various reasons:

• Your medical condition is not considered disabling
• You have insufficient credits
• You do not qualify under exceptions
• A clerical error by the SSA employees

Disability lawyers in Louisiana can help you determine why your claim was denied. 

If the SSA denies your disability claim, they should provide a specific reason. You'll have 60 days to file a reconsideration. The explanations provided can give you the basis to file a reconsideration.But you don't want your reconsideration denied. Social security lawyers can help you correct any errors in the application. However, not all disability lawyers in Louisiana can handle your case effectively. Social security disability attorneys at Leavitt & Meunier Disability Attorneys in Metairie, Mandeville, and Baton Rouge will handle each aspect of your claim. They will assess your medical record and work history to resolve any issues before presenting your case to a judge.Being a local law firm, we are conversant with the provincial social security offices, hearing offices, disability examiners, claim representatives, and judges in Southern Louisiana, Mississippi.For this purpose, it is best to employ the services of a licensed and experienced disability attorney. This is because the application process requires a great deal of often complicated paperwork, and a single missed or incorrect piece of information could disqualify an applicant immediately.
By working with our professionals, you’re ensuring you have all the know-how and expertise you need at your side for a successful application process. Because application denials are on the rise in many states, it’s imperative to have support from a team of professional attorneys who know how to maximize your chances of being rewarded a payment. 

We don’t simply fill out your paperwork throughout the disability application process and leave you to fend for yourself in court. We’re there beside you every step of the way. The social security disability attorney you work with is a hands-on, local representative, meaning you’ll always have the chance to meet your representative. 

Furthermore, unlike Advocates, our lawyers will stand beside you throughout your court hearings to ensure your voice is heard and understood. Our disability lawyers have decades of experience working with the Louisiana courts and know how to tackle even the smallest details to maximize your chances of getting the support you deserve.  

Learn more about how our attorneys can offer you the best representation in Louisiana and how we work hard to help state residents get the assistance they need daily. Your safety and comfort are our top priority, and we’re here to help you get started in securing your future and financial stability in these challenging times.

Contact Us for more information! Located in Metairie, Louisiana.