Social Security Disability Attorneys Serving Indiana

When you’re facing a long-term disability, whether it’s a new condition or has affected you for your entire life, you already know that receiving a livable income is full of red tape and confusing paperwork. When you’re facing such financial difficulties, and you’re considering Social Security Disability (SSD), contact one of the attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider, who can walk you through each step of the process and ensure you meet all deadlines and document requirements.

Hankey Marks & Crider was established in 1975 with a strict set of values: dedication to each and every one of our clients and the knowledge that we each have our own duty to protect our neighbors and fellow citizens. Our attorneys have a total combined experience of 75 years, and during that time we earned every bit of knowledge we’ve needed to become a successful firm time and time again. We know that the application process for SSD is overwhelming and complicated, which is wholly unfair to those who may already be struggling without a steady income or pricey medical visits.

If you are handling a long-term disability, our skilled legal team can help you stabilize your finances by securing the Social Security benefits you deserve. The Indianapolis Social Security Disability lawyers at Hankey Marks & Crider have the experience you need, helping injured and disabled individuals all across the state of Indiana. We have gained the knowledge and the abilities necessary to handle even the most complex long-term disability cases. Contact us today to learn about how we can help you file your initial Social Security Disability claims, build a strong case, and even appeal rejections. You can call us at (317) 634-8565, submit an intake form on our website, or make use of our 24/7 live chat feature.

Do I need a Social Security Disability attorney?

Many individuals who live with a long-term disability attempt to file for Social Security benefits without the assistance of an attorney—often, this goes without a hitch. Unfortunately, the filing process for receiving these benefits is exceptionally thorough, complex, and demanding. On top of the initial application challenges, most claims are actually denied. In 2016, 2,321,583 disabled workers applied for Social Security benefits, but only 744,268 were approved. That’s only 32% of applicants. Even a deserving individual suffering from a serious disability can be rejected if they fail to file the correct forms, include the appropriate information, or send in the necessary medical documentation.

An experienced Social Security Disability attorney can help you at any stage in the filing process—from your initial application all the way to, if necessary, your appeal for rejection. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you:

• File the appropriate paperwork in a timely fashion
• Gather the necessary documentation
• Identify and obtain medical records
• Argue that your medical condition constitutes a disability
• Decide how to proceed forward in the event of a rejection
• Formulate a case for your appeal

The Social Security system is flooded with applications every single day. If you submit your forms and materials with even minor errors, you could be looking at a long delay before you can start receiving your benefits. If you are considering filing for Social Security Disability benefits, you need the advice and the service of an experienced attorney.

Social Security cases we handle

Every long-term disability is unique. Individuals find themselves unable to work for a wide variety of medical reasons. Chronic pain plagues some, while others suffer from catastrophic injuries that leave them paralyzed. At Hankey Marks & Crider, our Social Security Disability attorneys know that each particular care requires a customized legal approach. Over decades of combined experience, our legal team has earned the skills and knowledge necessary to take on a vast array of long-term disability issues.

We are prepared to help our clients with challenging legal situations involving:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD/ SSDI): If you’ve been in the workforce for long enough, you may be eligible for disability insurance
• Supplemental Security Income: This is available to the elderly and disabled who may have never worked and, therefore, do not qualify for SSDI
• Social Security Disability Claim Filing: We can assist you with your initial claim, from meeting deadlines to filing all the appropriate paperwork
• Social Security Disability Claim Appeal: If your first claim was denied, we can assist you with filing an appeal
• Social Security Disability/ Injury Representation: If both your initial claim and appeal were wrongly denied, you might be in a position to file a lawsuit
• Qualifying Disabilities: Take a look at the list of disabilities we have compiled that are covered under Social Security

Social Security Disability in the U.S.

Social Security is a program run by the federal government designed to provide financial assistance to those who need it. Many people immediately think about retirement benefits when they hear the words “Social Security,” but the system also supports US citizens suffering from long-term disabilities. You may qualify for Social Security disability benefits if your medical conditions keep you from working. Today, millions of Americans rely on SSD and SSI benefits to make ends meet.

According to the 2017 Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program from the Social Security Administration (SSA), 10,059,166 people were receiving Social Security disability benefits in December 2017. Of this total, 86.4 percent were disabled workers, 11.0 percent were disabled adult children, and 2.6 percent were disabled widow(er)s.

The SSA reported that disabled beneficiaries between 18 years of age and 64 years of age in current-payment status accounted for 4.6 percent of the population of the same age group in the United States in 2017. Indiana was one of nine states in which the percentage was between 5 and 5.9 percent, while Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, and West Virginia were the six states in which 7 percent or more of the population was in current-payment status.

According to the SSA, there were 11,651,686 total disabled beneficiaries and nondisabled dependents, which marked the fourth straight decrease after a high of 12,156,191 in 2013. Of the total disabled beneficiaries and nondisabled dependents, 8,695,475 were workers, 126,154 were spouses, 1,418,446 were children under 18 years of age, 47,920 were students between 18 years of age and 19 years of age, 258,286 were widow(er)s, 319,162 were retired workers, 662,986 were deceased workers, and 123,257 were disabled workers.

According to the SSA, the average monthly benefits for certain groups were as follows:

• 319,162 children of retired workers – $696.37
• 662,986 children of deceased workers – $876.97
• 662,986 children of disabled workers – $493.13
• 108,514 beneficiaries under 25 years of age – $676.48
• 129,200 beneficiaries 25 years of age to 29 years of age – $720.34
• 126,585 beneficiaries 30 years of age to 34 years of age – $749.24
• 120,839 beneficiaries 35 years of age to 39 years of age -$761.70
• 111,520 beneficiaries 40 years of age to 44 years of age – $785.97
• 116,548 beneficiaries 45 years of age to 49 years of age – $806.94
• 115,741 beneficiaries 50 years of age to 54 years of age – $829.33
• 105,002 beneficiaries 55 years of age to 59 years of age – $842.29
• 74,752 beneficiaries 60 years of age to 64 years of age – $845.98
• 96,704 beneficiaries 65 years of age or older – $845.17