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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) ATTORNEYS IN KNOXVILLE, CHATTANOOGA, AND THE TRI-CITIES

Fox & Farmer Law Office is proud to help disabled clients pursue the benefits they need. We understand that the process of applying for SSDI can be confusing, and our lawyers have the knowledge to help ensure your claim for benefits is thoroughly documented to increase your chances for timely approval.


SSDI is intended to provide financial help for people who cannot work due to a medical condition that results in total disability and is expected to last at least one year. Benefits are not available to those with partial or short-term disabilities.

In addition to having a disability recognized by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must have previously held a job or jobs covered by Social Security and accumulated a set number of credits based on your age and span of employment. For those who qualify, SSDI benefits include monetary compensation based on your age and earnings record.

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What To Do If Your SSDI Claim Was Denied

If you were denied what you believe to be a valid application for SSDI, we can also help you appeal your SSDI claim.

If you or a family member suffers from a disability that prevents work but you believe your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) was wrongfully denied, the attorneys at Fox and Farmer may be able to help you file a successful appeal so you can obtain the benefits you and your family need.

Approximately 70 percent of initial applications for SSDI are denied, and many otherwise valid claims are rejected because applicants did not fully complete the complex forms or include adequate documentation of their disabilities. Our lawyers have thorough knowledge of the SSDI application and appeals processes, and we have helped numerous individuals and families get the SSDI benefits they need.

Appealing a denied SSDI claim requires submitting a Request for Reconsideration and a Disability Report Appeal. You may also need to include additional medical records to support your claim.


Our SSDI attorneys can help ensure your appeal forms are properly completed and that you have the necessary documentation for your disability. We have extensive experience helping SSDI applicants with legitimate disabilities successfully appeal denied claims. If you suffer from a disability that prevents you from being able to work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, call Fox & Farmer today.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY FAQS


Why Hire an Attorney to Handle Your SSDI Claim?

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits is not easy. The application can be confusing and time-consuming, and the Social Security Administration may take months to review your application. What’s worse, the majority of first-time claims are denied.
An experienced Social Security Disability attorney in Knoxville, Johnson City, or Chattanooga can help you overcome the challenges in the process of applying for SSDI and/or appealing a decision to deny benefits. Some of the ways a lawyer can assist you include:

  • Completing the application
  • Filing your claim in a timely fashion
  • Reviewing your medical records and other information
  • Handling requests for additional documents
  • Advising you of additional options for disability benefits

In the event that your SSDI claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. It is in your best interest to hire an attorney at this point. Your lawyer can make sure your appeal is filed on time (you only have 60 days to appeal the decision), submit additional evidence for reconsideration of the claim on your behalf, and represent you in an administrative hearing or before the Social Security Appeals Council or in federal court as your case requires.


How Much Does a Social Security Disability Lawyer Charge?

Concerns about cost make many claimants shy away from hiring a Social Security Disability attorney. However, contacting an SSDI lawyer is often a very cost-effective decision.
Our Social Security disability attorneys handle claims on a contingency fee basis. You only pay a fee if your lawyer achieves a favorable decision in your case. The fee will be calculated as a percentage of the back pay benefits to which you are entitled. Back pay or past-due benefits is the accumulated amount you would have received if your claim was approved right away.

Social Security law limits the attorney fee to 25 percent of the back pay, or to $6,000 – whichever is less. While it is difficult to say exactly how much a lawyer will charge for handling your SSDI claim, you can rest assured that you won’t have to pay unless you are approved for benefits.


What Disability Benefits Are Available to Me?

There are two types of benefits the Social Security Administration may grant to disabled people. The most well-known and common is SSDI.

SSDI pays you a monthly benefit once the Social Security Administration confirms your disability and approves your application. The exact amount you receive will vary based on your recent earnings history. According to the Social Security Administration, in 2020 the average monthly benefit paid to disabled workers is $1,259.

Under certain circumstances, your family can receive SSDI benefits. There are also work requirements, which means you’ll have to demonstrate that you’ve worked a certain amount over a recent period of time to qualify.

The other form of benefits offered by Social Security is Supplemental Security Income (SSI). As described by the Social Security Administration, SSI “makes monthly payments to people who have low income and few resources.”
These people include those who are:

  • 65 or older
  • Blind
  • Disabled

The federal SSI benefits for 2020 are $783 per individual and $1,175 per couple. As a joint federal-state program, you may also receive supplemental payment from the state in which you live.


Do Any Conditions Automatically Qualify for SSDI Benefits?

“Automatic” implies that you are guaranteed approval for SSDI benefits. Regardless of your disability, you will still need to go through the application process and have your condition supported by medical evidence in order to qualify.

However, the Social Security Administration does have a compassionate allowances program designed to “reduce waiting time to reach a disability determination for individuals with the most serious disabilities.”

​The list of conditions that qualify for a compassionate allowance is extensive. If you have a qualifying condition, your SSDI claim should be expedited. However, it is very important for your application to be complete and your disability to be documented in detail. An experienced Social Security disability benefits lawyer can help.

SCHEDULE YOUR SSDI CONSULTATION TODAY

If you are seeking assistance in filing for SSDI or appealing a denied claim, please contact Fox & Farmer today to schedule your free consultation. We can be reached online, or you can call us to speak with a team member. Our offices are located in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities. 

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