Oklahoma SSI Lawyer & SSDI Lawyer

Oklahoma City Social Security Disability Lawyers

The Social Security Disability programs provide a safety net for millions of disabled Americans. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to qualified workers who have become disabled. Meanwhile, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides benefits to severely disabled individuals with very limited income and resources who are ineligible for SSDI or who are only eligible for a small amount of disability insurance (SSDI) benefits.

The Social Security Administration’s SSDI and SSI programs have become overburdened by need and regulation. Benefit applications require numerous documents, and any omission or discrepancy of the proper information can hurt a claim. Almost all disability applications are initially denied, and over 75 percent are denied again on a second review known as “reconsideration.”

At Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, our Oklahoma City social security disability lawyers help people cut through the red tape when pursuing a claim for the disability benefits they need and deserve. Firm partner Philip Ryan has successfully handled SSDI and SSI claims for almost 30 years, representing clients in more than 3,000 SSDI hearings. He authored the book “Seven Costly Mistakes that Can Ruin Your Social Security Disability Claim (and how to avoid making them)” and presently serves as the Chairperson of the Disability Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

Contact our respected social security disability law firm in Oklahoma City today to talk to our highly experienced attorneys for free. We will answer all your questions about filing for disability benefits and help guide you through the claims process. You should also know that the government sets the number of all attorneys’ fees in disability claims, so you can base your choice of attorney on experience rather than worrying about costs. Additionally, we never request an attorney’s fee in a disability claim unless you are approved and receive disability benefits.

How Our Law Firm Helps Social Security Disability Claim Applicants

Although you are not required to have an attorney to file for SSDI or SSI benefits, statistics show that retaining a capable attorney greatly increases the likelihood that you will be successful with your SSDI or SSI claim. If the administration resists approving your claim, an experienced disability attorney should be able to make sure that your case moves through the social security system as quickly and efficiently as possible.

At Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, our experienced and compassionate Oklahoma City disability attorneys can:

• Help prepare an initial application for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. We can help make sure your initial application is complete and accurate, which increases the likelihood that it will be approved.
• Assemble the documentation required for a claim and make sure there are no errors, discrepancies, or omissions.
• Approach your treating physician to obtain the precise information and documentation necessary to gain approval of your claim.
• Appeal a denial of your SSDI or SSI benefits claim to the proper administrative level.

Our skilled Oklahoma City social security disability attorneys are committed to working quickly and doing everything we can to prevent delays in the processing of your social security disability claim. Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you.

Qualifying for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits

Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits are, in essence, insurance payments for workers who have become incapacitated by illness or injury and cannot continue to work for a living. These are what most people think of when they hear the phrase “social security disability.”

In order to be eligible for SSDI, workers pay premiums each month by having money (FICA) withheld from their paychecks. To qualify for SSDI benefits, an individual must have worked and paid Social Security payroll taxes (FICA) long enough to accrue a benefit. While you continue working (and paying FICA), you remain “insured” for disability benefits. If you stop working (and thus stop paying FICA), your “insured status” will eventually lapse or end. In most cases, your “insured status” extends five years beyond when you last worked. In order to receive SSDI benefits, it is normally necessary to prove that you became disabled prior to the date your insured status lapsed (this is known as your “date last insured”).

An SSDI application requires completing multiple forms and substantiating the information included on these forms with additional records, including:

• Medical documentation that establishes disability.
• Workers’ compensation claim records (if the applicant has an occupational injury or illness).
• Details of financial holdings (e.g., bank accounts, retirement accounts, other assets).

This material must demonstrate that the SSDI applicant:

• Has a disability that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, or results in death.
• Is unable to do the work he or she performed in prior jobs.
• Is unable to perform any other work available in the national economy based upon his or her age, education, and prior work experience.

The amount of benefits a successful applicant receives each month depends upon how long and how much he or she pays into the social security system while working.

Qualifying for Supplemental Security Income Benefits

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is an entitlement for severely disabled individuals with very limited income and resources who are ineligible for SSDI or who are only eligible for a small amount of disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. The SSI program also provides payments to adults who meet the financial requirements and are 65 or older or are blind.

In some cases, a worker who has not paid enough FICA taxes over a long enough period to be considered “insured” for SSDI benefits may be eligible to file for benefits under SSI. Some are eligible to draw both SSDI and SSI benefits.

To obtain SSI benefits, an applicant must provide evidence that he or she is one of the following:

• Disabled by a medical condition that keeps him or her from working and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or cause death
• Totally or partially blind
• At least 65 years old

In addition, the applicant’s “countable resources” — savings, stocks, bonds, real or personal property, or other financial assets — cannot exceed $2,000 in value ($3,000 if married). Some assets, such as your house or your car, are normally not included in the calculation.

If an individual is eligible to apply for SSI benefits, he or she must then meet the same definition of disability that is utilized in SSDI cases.

Frequently Asked Questions About SSDI and SSI Claims

Many applicants have similar questions about the disability claims process, and the answers to those questions can make a significant difference in how claimants proceed. Below, we address some of the most common questions we hear from Oklahoma clients pursuing SSDI or SSI benefits.

Do I need an Oklahoma SSI or SSD lawyer to apply for disability benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) does not require you to hire a lawyer, but trying to handle the claims process without one is risky. Minor errors like incomplete documentation or an unclear description of your work history can lead to a preventable denial. An experienced Oklahoma SSI and SSD lawyer knows what the SSA looks for and can help you present a complete, accurate application from the start. This kind of preparation often shortens the process and helps you avoid mistakes that can lead to denied claims.

What should I do if my Social Security disability claim is denied?

A denial is not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal, though there are strict deadlines for each stage of the appeals process. The first step is typically a request for reconsideration, followed by a hearing before an administrative law judge if necessary. An attorney can help you meet all applicable deadlines and gather any additional evidence you need to present a strong appeal. Claims that are initially denied can succeed on appeal if the evidentiary record is stronger.

What are some reasons that cause individuals to be denied benefits?

Social Security claims can get denied for many reasons, some of which have nothing to do with whether the applicant’s condition actually qualifies as disabling. Common causes for denial include: 

• Insufficient medical evidence
• A failure to follow prescribed treatment
• Income or assets that exceed SSI limits
• Gaps in work history that affect SSDI eligibility
• Application errors, such as missing signatures or inconsistent dates

An experienced attorney can conduct a thorough review of your application to catch and correct these issues early on, before you submit anything to the SSA.

How long does it take to receive SSI or SSDI benefits?

Processing times vary based on the complexity of the claim and the current workload at the SSA. An initial decision typically takes six to eight months, though some claims may take longer if additional evidence is needed. If your claim is denied and you pursue an appeal, the process can take a year or even longer, particularly if you must present your case at a hearing before an administrative law judge. A lawyer can help you file a complete and well-documented application from the outset to reduce your chances of unnecessary delays.

How much does it cost to hire an Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer?

Attorney fees in disability claims are limited to 25 percent of any past-due benefits you recover or $9,200, whichever amount is lower. At Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, we don’t charge anything upfront to begin work on your case, and you won’t owe us any fees unless we secure benefits on your behalf. Any legal fees will simply be subtracted from your past-due benefits, so you never have to worry about paying any out-of-pocket attorney fees.

Talk to Our Oklahoma Social Security Disability Attorneys for Free

If you are disabled and unable to work for a living, don’t wait to get helpful legal advice about obtaining all the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits you are qualified to receive due to your impairments.

The highly respected Oklahoma City disability lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons have decades of experience successfully securing benefits from the Social Security Administration. Our team has the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate this complex government system and help deserving clients pursue maximum SSDI and SSI benefits. Find out how to calculate your SSDI benefits.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation about the disability benefits you deserve under federal Social Security law.