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Social Security Disability

Social Security Disability Lawyers – Knoxville, TN

Knox County Social Security Disability Attorneys

The Social Security Administration’s Disability Programs

If you have lost the ability to work or are unable to enjoy your life as you once did because of a disability or a serious health condition, you may be eligible for monetary benefits offered by two programs provided by the Social Security Administration. Our Social Security Disability Lawyers in Knoxville can help you!

The two programs are:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

This program is accessible to people who have:

  1. A physical or mental impairment that is expected to last at least a year or end in death
  2. Had to stop work in the past five years due to their condition
  3. A work history

Supplemental Security Income Attorney (SSI)

This is intended for people who have:

  1. Assets below a certain amount
  2. Not worked recently
  3. Not worked long enough to be eligible for SSDI, but still need monthly benefits to take care of daily expenses

We help people with theses disabling conditions:

  • Loss of use in the hands due to; arthritis, neuropathy, injury, nerve damage, etc.
  • Back Issues
  • Mental Disorders – depression, PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.
  • Loss of use of the upper / lower extremities due to injury
  • Lung Conditions
  • Neurological Disorder
  • Heard Condition
  • Autoimmune Disorder

Do I Need an Attorney When Filing for Disability?

Should You Hire A Social Security Disability Lawyer?

A Knoxville social security disability attorney or non-attorney representative can’t guarantee that a claimant will be awarded Social Security Disability or SSI benefits. However, a social security disability lawyer can help you properly prepare for your case prior to its hearing date.

According to NOLO – 50% of those who had lawyers were approved for benefits compared to 23% of those who didn’t.

Lawyers Can Help Win You More Backpay

Additionally, the disability claimants who DO win their claims without the help of a lawyer may not obtain the most favorable “disability onset date,” this may affects how much back-pay you get.

How the Social Security Administration Determines If You are Disabled

What Happens After I File For Disability Benefits?

WE CAN HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THESE COMMON QUESTIONS

How Long Does it Take to Get on Disability?

It can generally take several months before a person is approved for disability benefits. This is because a vast majority of people are denied the first time they apply. In most cases it is not until after they appeal their denied claim or go before an Administrative Law Judge that their claim is finally approved. It is therefore imperative to have a qualified attorney to help push your case forward so that it may be decided and approved as quickly as possible.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Attorney to Represent Me on My Disability Claim?

There are no upfront fees when hiring an attorney to represent you on your disability claim. As determined by the Social Security Administration, an attorney is not paid unless you are approved. If approved, generally they will receive 25% of your back pay up to $7,200, whichever is less.

It is very likely that you will end up having to hire an attorney before you are approved, and the fee is the same regardless of whether you retain an attorney before filing your application or a month before your hearing. You also do not need to wait until you are denied before retaining legal counsel. A qualified attorney will be able to assist you with filing your initial application and help you avoid common pitfalls while your initial claim is being reviewed.

Can I Work While Trying to Get on Disability?

Generally, the answer is that you cannot work while trying to get on disability. According to the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s guidelines and procedures, if a person is working and earning over a certain amount after the date that they claim to have become disabled, they will be disqualified from receiving benefits.

That said, if a person is working part-time and earning less than the maximum amount allowed, they can still qualify for benefits. But one who works part-time while their claim is pending needs to be careful of what types of jobs they perform or how many hours they work. It is therefore important to talk to a qualified attorney to help navigate their claim if they try to work after filing a claim for disability benefits.

How Can I Increase my Chances of Getting Approved for Disability Benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) primarily relies on your medical records to determine whether you are disabled and. You therefore want your records to show that despite doing everything you can to try and get better, you are still unable to work.

It is therefore essential for you to be receiving medical treatment that documents your medical conditions and physical/mental limitations when filing a claim. It is additionally imperative that you attend all of your medical appointments, take your medications as prescribed, and follow any and all of your physician’s recommendations for treatment.

If you are filing for disability due to a mental health impairment, you will want to receive both therapy and medication management. It is also important to disclose your symptoms to your provider or therapist so that they may properly treat and record your symptoms and limitations in your medical records.

Having a qualified attorney who can help navigate your claim, ensure that the SSA received all of your records, help provide opinions from your treating providers, and make sure that your claim is appealed if it gets denied can also help ensure that you get approved for benefits.

How Do I Qualify for Disability?

An individual may qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To qualify for SSDI you must have worked and paid into Social Security at least 5 out of the last 10 years prior to when you became disabled. To qualify for SSI, your assets (excluding your residence and one vehicle) must total no more than a few thousand dollars. Depending on your work history and circumstances, you may qualify for one or both of these benefits.

As long as one of the above criteria are met, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will retrieve and review your medical records to determine what your medical conditions are and how your conditions limit your ability to work. Depending on your age, education, and work background, your records and other information you provide to the SSA generally must show that your physical and/or mental conditions limit you so much that you are unable to perform any job full-time that would be available in the national economy.

You have the burden of proving that you cannot work, so it is important that you have a qualified attorney to help guide you through this complex process and avoid pitfalls that can impact your chances of getting approved for benefits.

Sadly, this is a common issue that many people face when filing for disability. Most access to private insurance is tied to employment, and public health insurance like Medicaid or Medicare is accessible only until after one is approved for disability benefits.

If you are in this situation, you may be able to find a free health clinic in your area by visiting such sites as www.freeclinics.com.

* Once you visit this or similar website, simply enter your zip code. You will then be shown clinics in your area that provide medical services at no cost or on a sliding scale basis. If you need treatment for mental health and live in Tennessee, you may receive free mental health treatment through Tennessee’s Safety Net Program.

More information regarding this program may be found here:

https://www.tn.gov/health/health-program-areas/division-of-health-disparities-elimination-/rural-health/safety-net-program.html

**Easter & DeVore is in no way affiliated with, endorsed by, or have any other relationship with www.freeclinics.com or similar website.

Experienced Representation To Handle Your Entire Claim

Most people don’t know the ins and outs of the disability claims process like the Knoxville Social Security Disability lawyers at Easter & DeVore, Attorneys at Law, do. When you retain our services, we will help you understand the law and how it applies to you and help you prepare a claim that accurately and effectively describes your need for government assistance.

From explaining SSA eligibility requirements to appealing a denied claim, we handle all aspects of your claim. We will take a client-centered approach to your case, meaning we will only do what is in your best interests. Our focus is on you and your family, and we will do what needs to be done in order to get you the benefits you need.

Please Read Some of Our Testimonials Below!

I am still in the process of trying to get disability. I suffer from extreme PTSD, anxiety disorder and depression. Mr. Devore spent several hours with me while filling out the paperwork to ensure that I was understanding everything that was going on. I have received phone calls several times from his office to make sure everything is getting done. It is clear that he sincerely is wanting to help me. Even though I am still in the process of disability, I am confident that Mr. Devore will continue to do everything in his power to assist me and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

Mr. Devore was excellent. At every step he gave me confidence that he knew what he was doing, and that the case would have a favorable outcome. I suffer from severe anxiety issues, and Mr. DeVore would carefully monitor my level of comfort, turning the conversation to other topics when I was approaching my limits. I would recommend Mr. DeVore to anyone.

Devin worked so hard to get my disability approved. He even took on my long term disability and he hasn’t given up yet. I have one doctor that is so impressed with him that she will be recommending him to her patients.

Mr. Devore worked at his best ability to get my benefits and help me through my case. He was professional and honest through the whole process.

Devin Devore was great to work with, very professional, very responsive to questions, and very knowledgeable. Constantly kept me updated with what was going on with my claim, I highly recommend this young man!  

Devin DeVore is an absolutely amazing person and attorney. I have never had an attorney who was so kind, he handled my Social Security case and called me REGULARLY with updates from where he took the time out of his day to call and check on my case. I had used another attorney prior to Mr. DeVore for 4 years and never received my SS and had know idea the status of my application. When I started Mr. DeVore things completely changed. I was notified of my application status often and I won my case. I give the Lord and Mr. DeVore all the glory. One of the biggest things I truly appreciated about Mr. DeVore is he NEVER made be fell belittled or guilty for applying for SS. I was truly blessed to have the honor to work with Mr. DeVore.  

Devin Devore is amazing he always contacts me via email or phone with any questions I might have! Always is on top of my Disablity case I do reference him to all of my friends!!! 

Mr. DeVore has had the upmost integrity and honesty in dealing with our case. He has shown professionalism and has been very prompt in all the paperwork phone calls and meetings that we have attended to. The concern that is shown by Mr. DeVore has put us on a very personal platform we feel comfortable speaking to Mr. DeVore and makes us feel very welcome I have recommended Mr. DeVore and the Easter & DeVore, Attorneys at Law Firm to all my friends and family. Again, I would like to thank Mr. DeVore and the Easter Law Firm for handling my case. 

Contact A Social Security Disability Attorney For Help

Whether your disability is the result of a catastrophic injury, a serious disease, illness, or a mental health condition – our Social Security Disability attorneys in Knoxville at our firm know how to effectively handle your claim for benefits.

To make an appointment call 865-566-0125 or fill out this contact form. All initial telephone consultations are free and payment is contingency based, meaning no fees until you recover benefits.