Social Security Disability Claims

Confidence with the Social Security Process

We have helped dozens of SSDI and SSI claimants obtain their benefits at various levels of the application process. Mr. D’Angelo and his staff have obtained successful outcomes at the initial filing stage, the request for reconsideration stage; and the hearing stage. The Social Security disability application process is very detailed with specific paper filing. With careful attention to detail, Mr. D’Angelo and his staff have navigated their clients through this very demanding and time-consuming process. Mr. D’Angelo and his staff take pride in their compassion and empathy toward their prospective Social Security Disability claimants.

Social Security Disability Claims

The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers two programs that provide benefits based on disability: the Social Security disability insurance program (title II of the Social Security Act (the Act)) and the supplemental security income (SSI) program (title XVI of the Act).

Title II provides for payment of disability benefits to individuals who are “insured” under the Act by virtue of their contributions to the Social Security trust fund through the Social Security tax on their earnings, as well as to certain disabled dependents of insured individuals. Title XVI provides SSI payments to disabled individuals (including children under age 18) who have limited income and resources.

The Act and SSA’s implementing regulations prescribe rules for deciding if an individual is “disabled.” SSA’s criteria for deciding disability may differ from the criteria applied in other Government and private disability programs.

Definition of Disability

For all individuals applying for disability benefits under title II, and for adults applying under title XVI, the definition of disability is the same. The law defines disability as the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity (SGA) by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment(s) which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.