Abingdon SSD Lawyer

If you cannot work due to a chronic injury or illness for a minimum of one year, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability (“SSD”) benefits.  SSD benefits are available to those who have worked and paid enough into the Social Security system (through taxes) and who have developed an incapacitating physical or mental condition that prevents them from earning a living.

At The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we provide caring and dedicated representation to SSD clients throughout Southwest Virginia, including Abingdon and the surrounding communities.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to learn about your options for pursuing SSD benefits!

As a client seeking social security disability benefits, you will not need to pay us a retainer or any fees while your claim is ongoing, as we represent clients in social security disability matters on a contingent fee basis.  Under this representation, we are only entitled to a fee if you obtain benefits; there is no fee to us if benefits are not obtained. In addition, our fee is only based upon the “backpay” or the initial award made – we do not receive any fee for out of future payments made after the initial award.

What is Social Security Disability Insurance?

Social Security Disability Insurance pays monthly benefits to workers who are unable to work due to a significant illness or impairment that is expected to last at least twelve months or result in death.  To be eligible, disabled workers must generally accrue forty work credits, twenty of which must be earned within the ten years preceding the disability.  However, people disabled at younger ages may be entitled to benefits with fewer credits, and there are other situations in which workers may also qualify for social security disability benefits.

In generally, up to four work credits can be awarded each year, but the amount needed for each credit changes annually.  For example, in 2010, workers earned one credit for each $1,120 received in wages, but this amount increased to $1,410 in 2021. Once we meet with you and learn about your work history, we can advise whether you meet the work requirements.   

How Much in SSD Benefits Can I Get?

Benefits are generally paid until an individual is able to return to work on a regular basis or until an individual reaches retirement age. Benefits are based on a disabled worker’s past wages before he or she became disabled.  The SSA uses a complicated formula to calculate this amount; monthly benefits in 2021 range from $100 to $3,148 per month.

While the amount of SSD benefits is often much lower than the income that otherwise would have been earned by the disabled person, much of this income, thankfully, is non-taxable.  Please call our office if you would like to learn more about disability benefits.

How Can an Abingdon SSD Lawyer Help Me?

For those who have not filed for SSD benefits, it’s important to understand four critical aspects of the filing process:

• Approximately 70% of all claims filed without the assistance of an SSD lawyer initially are denied.
• There is usually no opportunity to “fix” information that is missing or incorrect in a claim; instead a claim that is denied must go through the appeals process (which can add months or even years to the process).
• On average, using an experienced social security disability lawyer can increase an applicant’s chances significantly in getting an award at the initial application stage.
• Because social security disability lawyers are only allowed to charge a fee on the “backpay” award (the initial award made), legal fees are significantly less when a lawyer is retained at the start of the process (when the backpay will be lower) than in the appeals process (as the backpay will be increasing over time).

For these reasons, we urge those who become disabled to not try to tackle the application process alone.  Instead, we urge you to call our office to schedule a free consultation.

How an Experienced Abingdon SSD Lawyer Can Help You

Experienced Abingdon SSD Lawyers at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt helps disabled clients with SSD applications and appeals by:

• Filing forms for an initial application, reconsideration, or hearing;
• Coordinating physician appointments;
• Reviewing disability files to identify possible weaknesses and determining how to fix these deficiencies when possible;
• Preparing for questions that may be asked at an appeals hearing;
• Obtaining vital employment records;
• Appealing a case before an Appeals Council or in federal court; and
• Tenaciously fighting for the full benefits to which you are rightfully entitled.

What Types of Medical Conditions Qualify for SSD?

The Social Security Administration (“SSA”) maintains a listing of impairments (known as the Blue Book) that qualify as medically determinable impairments, meaning the conditions can be the basis for SSD benefits.  However, it is critical to understand that conditions not appearing in the Blue Book may still be sufficient to justify benefits.

The following are the categories of conditions listed in the Blue Book:

• Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Special Senses & Speech
• Respiratory Disorders
• Cardiovascular System
• Digestive System
• Genitourinary Disorders
• Hematological Disorders
• Skin Disorders
• Endocrine Disorders
• Congenital Disorders
• Neurological Disorders
• Mental Disorders
• Cancer
• Immune System Disorders

If your condition is not listed in the Blue Book, we invite you to call our office to schedule a free consultation.  As an experienced Abingdon SSD attorney, The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt can explain the steps that must be taken to seek approval for an unlisted impairment.

What Types of Disability Cases Does Your Firm Handle?

It is critical to understand that almost any type of injury or medical condition that results in a person not being able to work for at least 12 months potentially can qualify a person for social security disability income benefits.  Thus, at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt, we assist individuals with all types of mental and physical disabilities that impact the ability to work.

If you are disabled, navigating the initial application or appeals process on your own can be daunting.  You don’t need to face this process alone.

We can put our over three decades of legal experience to work for you and assist in gathering critical documentation, filling out forms, and representing you in an administrative hearing or appeal.

How Much Does an SSD Disability Attorney Cost in Virginia?

Our fee is limited by law, typically at 25% of the past-due (or “backpay”) benefit amount or $6,000, whichever is less. Backpay is the amount of pay accruing between the date a person becomes disabled and eligible for benefits and the date an SSD claim is approved (this amount is usually the first award payment made to a claimant).

When we represent clients in disability claims, the SSA typically pays us our fee directly after a claim approval is made, and the remaining amount is paid directly to the claimant.  After our payment is received, we are not entitled to any fee on future benefits paid.

Call our office today to schedule a free case evaluation with the experienced Abingdon SSD lawyers at The Law Offices of Mark T. Hurt.