Social Security Disability
Florida Social Security Disability Lawyer.
Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation law are Randy Zeldin, Esq.’s sole legal specialties since 1984. For over two decades, Randy Zeldin, Esq. has been the choice of thousands of Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation clients in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Randy Zeldin, Esq. is proud of the many legal victories he has achieved in Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and St. Lucie, Florida
Social Security Disability (SSD)
Provides money benefits to people who are too ill to work and “disabled.” Under the Social Security law, a “disability” is a complete inability to perform substantial gainful activity because of a physical or mental impairment. The disability must last for at least 12 months to qualify for benefits. The origin of the disability doesn’t matter. Disability can result from a trauma, accident; personal injury or disease process. The law focuses on whether an individual has the ability to earn at least $1,200.00 per month in gainful employment.
The initial application for Social Security Disability is best made directly at the local Social Security Field Office. The Social Security Administration operates hundreds of local Field Offices throughout the United States. To locate the Field Office nearest to your home, go to the Field Office Locator on the website SSA.GOV and enter your Zip Code. Bring all current medical records, names and addresses of all treating physicians and government identification with you to the Field Office. The Field Office representatives will complete your initial application and process it for you. Make certain that your treating medical providers respond to requests by SSA for medical records. Typically, the initial determination will be made in about three months. If you are denied, it is important to meet with Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq., prior the 60-day deadline to file an appeal.
Unfortunately, Social Security bureaucrats deny nearly 80% of all initial claims. Palm Beach County Social Security Disability lawyer Randy Zeldin, Esq. can get your denied claim reconsidered by the Social Security Administration and ultimately litigated before a Social Security Judge. Randy Zeldin, Esq. will develop properly documented medical evidence to maximize your chance of success. It is difficult to navigate through the complicated Social Security laws without the counsel of a skilled Social Security Attorney. Randy Zeldin, Esq. will prepare you for a hearing and be with you during every step of the process.
Social Security attorney fees are always 25% of past due benefits, at a maximum of $6,000.00. There are never out of pocket attorney fees. All attorney fees are contingent upon your case being won!
Many Social Security Disability and Social Security Income claimants do not realize that the law allows for non-attorney, Social Security “Advocates” to represent them in their claims. Ironically, these “Advocates” are awarded the same fees as an attorney. Randy Zeldin, Esq. will give you ATTORNEY REPRESENTATION from the beginning to the end of your claims process. You will be represented by experienced attorneys, skilled in drafting legal briefs; preparing witness testimony and cross-examining Court appointed Vocational Experts and Medical Examiners.
The Social Security laws and their interpretation by the Courts are complicated for a Claimant without expert legal representation. Whether an individual wins or loses a case depends upon whether it can be proven that the disability falls within the Medical-Vocational Guidelines (“Grids”) or meets a specific medical listing for a severe condition. Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, Esq. offers the expertise and experience to maximize the prospects of a Social Security Disability claim or appeal.
There are 5 basic underlying concepts in all Social Security Disability Claims:
- Any impairment must be proven with medical evidence from a medical provider. This evidence usually comes from the treating medical doctor, whatever specialty, including neurology, orthopedics, psychiatry or other. The impairment must be shown to result from anatomical, physiological, or psychological abnormalities. The evidence includes clinical and laboratory diagnostics, including medical evidence of symptoms, sign and laboratory findings. Remember, the claimant’s statements or opinions about symptoms are never enough to show disability.
- The impairment must have lasted or be expected to last for at least 12 months or to result in death. If an individual is earning over $1,000.00 per month, that is considered Substantial Gainful Employment and would disqualify receipt of Social Security Disability.
- Disability must occur prior to an individual’s “last date insured.” Like any other insurance coverage, Social Security Disability coverage lasts for a limited time after an individual stops working. The maximum length of coverage after an individual stops working is 5 years. An individual who is no longer insured, cannot be paid a disability benefit.
- The disabling condition must be SEVERE! This means that the medical or psychological condition must preclude basic work activity. Basic physical work activities can be sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, lifting, carrying, reaching, handling, seeing, hearing, etc. Basic mental work activities include following instructions, being able to accept supervision, getting along with coworkers and the public, being able to maintain attention and concentration, being able to follow work rules and behave appropriately.
- A claimant must be unable to perform any work in the U.S. national economy. An individual is not disabled merely because he or she cannot return to prior employment. Based on education, job history and general abilities, an individual must be unable to perform alternative jobs, which might be based on transferable skills and education. Factors weighed include level of education, age, skill level and other vocational factors.
Contact us online or call (877) 839-4243 today for a free and confidential consultation!
Randy Zeldin, Esq. is a Social Security Disability lawyer serving Palm Beach County, Broward County, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Lake Worth, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Martin County, Port St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Palm City and Fort Pierce.
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Randy Zeldin, Esq. service the South Florida community, serving from Fort Pierce to Fort Lauderdale. Of the many communities in South Florida represented by Palm Beach County Social Security Disability Attorney Randy Zeldin, the following cities have been his largest supporters:
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