Shapiro & Siegel, P.C. Social Security Disability & Supplemental Security Income Lawyers

SSD/SSI Case Evaluation Process

How We Evaluate Your Disability Case

Through the last thirty-five years, I have helped thousands of people with disabilities and firmly believe that those of you who come for help need and deserve the comfort and security of knowing whether the medical or psychological condition you present is the type of condition that would be considered a disability under Social Security law and entitle you to Social Security Disability benefits.

Social Security Attorney Bernard Shapiro (bio) will personally speak with you and offer a reliable, professional evaluation of your disability case at no charge and at no obligation to you. You can get started right now by filling out our disability case evaluation form.

“We Can Tell You If You Have a Case.”

To help us determine whether you have a strong case to receive Social Security disability benefits, you need to provide us with accurate information about your medical condition, in your own words, either through this website or over the phone.

Based on the information you provide us with, our experienced Social Security attorneys will begin by applying the following criteria, and sometimes can tell you, simply from these questions, whether you have a case or not:

  • Are you working?
  • Is your condition “severe”?
  • Is your condition found in the Social Security’s list of disabling conditions?
  • Can you do the work you did previously?
  • Can you do any other type of work?

If, after these questions, it’s still not clear whether you have a justifiable case, further discussion and exploration of your case will be necessary (including verification through your medical records, discussions with your doctors, reports from employers, etc.) Our highly experienced Social Security attorneys, Bernard Shapiro and over 10 other disability lawyers, will be able to offer you a final opinion and advise whether we feel that you have a strong case to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?

If we determine that you do have a case, we will utilize our twenty five years of Social Security experience and knowledge to try to accomplish the best and speediest results for you. We are well experienced in dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA.gov), the staff, other attorneys and the judges. Over the years, we have developed trust, credibility and cooperative working relationships with the Social Security Administration and its affiliated personnel that works to our clients’ benefit.

Whether you are coming to us during the early stages of your case, so that we may seek disposition on your behalf, or later on when your case is involved in an appeal, we will do our very best to achieve the best possible result for you, as quickly as we possibly can.

What Criteria Do We Use to Evaluate Your Disability Case?

Social Security requires that substantial medical evidence be produced in order to be entitled to disability benefits. However, many times a doctor or another government agency will advise a person that they are “disabled”, but Social Security denies their claim, stating that the person is able to do some sort of work. Moreover, Social Security evaluators can often overlook conditions or determine that medical or psychological conditions are not so severe and will not last twelve months or more.

Cases are evaluated using the very same laws that Social Security uses. Laws are applied to all of your conditions, at the level of severity that is actually supported by your medical records and information shared.

Through asking various questions, I search for every factor that might have an effect on the disability decision. You will be directly involved in the discussion as we consider the following factors:

  • Age
  • Education
  • Past Relevant Work Experience
  • Medical Condition, physical, mental and in combination
  • Medications and side effects of medications
  • Pain
  • Fatigue
  • Function on a job on a sustained basis of eight hours a day, five days a week, week after week throughout the year
  • Physical limitations in such areas as standing, walking, lifting, bending, climbing, ability to accommodate environment in areas such as temperature changes, fragrances, fumes, fatigue, need to take frequent breaks (toilet, rest, personal care, etc.) from work for any reason
  • Mental or psychologically based problem such a limitations in ability to maintain attention, produce work at the speed required, work while taking medications, interact with supervisors, co-workers and the public, ability to follow instructions complete assigned jobs and accommodate changes in the workplace
  • Other factors that may affect your individual case

If you have a question about Social Security Disability benefits or would like to receive a reliable opinion, from a real lawyer about the probability of success for your Social Security disability case, please submit our free disability case evaluation form or call us toll-free 1-800-336-7456.