Social Security Disability Claim form

Do You Need Social Security Disability Benefits?

Filing for Social Security disability benefits can be a confusing and frustrating process. A Social Security disability lawyer in Chattanooga from The McMahan Law Firm is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your application is properly handled and fighting for the benefits you may be entitled to.

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When you’re disabled and need the support of Social Security Disability benefits, you would think receiving these benefits would be a simple process. Unfortunately, it’s far from easy. The good news is, you don’t have to navigate the system alone.

Our Chattanooga Social Security Disability lawyers at the McMahan Law Firm know the rules and regulations surrounding the Social Security system and we’re ready to help you. If you’re suffering from a disabling condition or injury and are unable to work, all you have to do is give our office a call at 423-265-1100 or fill out our online form for a free case review today!

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One Call or Click Is All It Takes

Getting help is only a simple call or click away. You don’t even have to leave your home! Contact our team today and we’ll start reviewing your case immediately.

You're Not Alone

Navigating the Social Security system can be really tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our disability lawyers can help guide you through the entire process.

No Fee If You Don't Get Benefits

Your initial case review is always free and if you don’t get benefits, you won’t owe us a penny.

You Don’t Have to Struggle Alone

It’s surprising how many people get denied for Social Security Disability benefits the first time they apply. If this has happened to you, knowing what to do next can be scary and stressful. The good news is, it’s not the end of the road, and you don’t have to struggle through this alone.

Whether you’ve been denied or are applying for the first time, our Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyers at the McMahan Law Firm are here for you. From filling out paperwork to coordinating with the Social Security Administration (SSA), we’ll guide you through every step of the way and fight hard for the benefits you need and deserve.

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Do I Qualify For Social Security Benefits?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has complex rules and regulations that dictate who qualifies for SSDI benefits. It can be difficult to figure out if you are entitled to benefits, so let’s break it down. In most cases, you qualify for benefits if your disability:

  • Prevents you from doing the work you were able to do before.
  • Inhibits you from doing other kinds of work.
  • Lasts or is projected to last for at least 12 months, or is expected to result in death.

If that sounds like you, make sure that your employer has contributed to Social Security. You have to contribute enough “Work Credits,” which are earned when a portion of your taxes goes to the SSA. The amount of Work Credits you need to qualify for SSDI benefits is determined by your age. When you work with our experienced Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyers, we can help you determine if you have the work credits that will allow you to receive Social Security benefits.

How Can A Lawyer Help?

While you can always file for your SSDI benefits on your own, there are some serious consequences to consider. It is common to be denied benefits due to small errors on your application, which can be stressful and scary as you try to see what your next options are. While you could appeal your denial on your own, it only means it will take longer to receive the benefits you need.

We know that many of our clients have already been suffering and are financially struggling. You shouldn’t have to wait any longer than you need to for the benefits you deserve. Hiring one of our experienced lawyers who has experience filing the paperwork and collecting the proper evidence will increase your chance of being approved the first time through. Our team knows how to guide you through the appeal process so you can begin receiving what benefits you may be entitled to quickly.

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

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I just wanted to thank you for the all the hard work that the McMahan Law Firm has done for me. I appreciate your patience and determination, and of course your super skills in the courtroom. This has been life changing for me and my family, God bless all of you!! Thanks again and take care.

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Your team makes the clients feel like their case is important no matter how small the case may be or how small the benefits may be.

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Guys listen! My Attorneys Jill Crouch and Brent who run the place are the most proficient accident attorneys I've ever witnessed! No lie, I got awarded an amount bigger than a yearly salary from an 18 wheeler accident settlement through them!! (If you know, you know!) I get paid sometime this month! It took less than a year to settle and the ONLY reason it took that long was because the treatment was extensive and needed months to complete. If you're EVER in an accident in the state of Tennessee, MCMAHAN LAW FIRM NEEDS TO BE YOUR FIRST CALL AFTER THE AMBULANCE!!! THIS GROUP OF ATTORNEYS ARE CHANGING, SAVING AND REVIVING LIVES!! TRUE STORY!

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I want to thank you again for representing me. The McMahan Law Firm is not only a good law firm; [the staff and lawyers] are good people as well. I would recommend you to a friend or enemy. Thank you again.

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I want to thank each and every one involved in my case. I have no doubt I would not have succeeded on my own. I’m glad I listened to my sister advising me to use an attorney. The McMahan Law Firm is tops. Thanks again.

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How Do You Apply for Disability Benefits in Tennessee?

Applying for disability benefits in Tennessee can be done online or at a local Social Security office. However, you can also just give our office a call and we’ll help you every step of the way!

Here’s an overview of what will be required:

First, you will need to collect all your personal information. This includes your name, date, and place of birth as well as information about your spouse and ex-spouses, any kids you have together, military service, employer details, direct deposit information, contact information, and other personal details.

You will also need to collect information about your disability, including your specific medical condition, as well as information about your doctors, other health care professionals, medical records, and treatments.

You will need to provide information about your job history, education, and training. This helps the Social Security Administration determine whether you’re capable of doing a different kind of work than that which you most recently performed.

Next, you must complete the Disability Benefit Application form. If you can’t or don’t wish to apply online, you can visit a local field office, or you can apply over the phone at 800-772-1213 or 800-325-0778 if you are hearing impaired. The easiest thing to do, however, is to simply give our Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyers at McMahan Law Firm a call. We can help you fill out all the proper paperwork and take the stress of the application process off your hands.

You’ll need to provide documents, including:

  • Birth certificate or proof of birth
  • Proof of citizenship or of lawful alien status
  • Military discharge papers for veterans before 1968
  • Last year’s tax forms (W-2 or self-employment)
  • Medical records, doctor’s reports, test results, and other evidence
  • Records of workers’ compensation benefits you’ve received

What Comes Next

We know how to navigate the Social Security system, and we want to help you fight for your benefits. Our team of experienced disability attorneys can get started today when you receive a free, online case review.

Your trusted Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyer at the McMahan Law Firm will collect all of the evidence and fill out all of the paperwork you need for your application. This could include medical documents, doctors’ recommendations, treatment plans, family statements, and more.

It is very common to be denied SSDI benefits after your first application, especially when you don’t have experienced attorneys fighting by your side. This is where our team can help. If your application was denied, you don’t have to worry. Our attorneys will help you with the appeals process so you can seek the benefits you deserve.

We understand that you need your benefits right away, which is why our team is dedicated to securing your SSDI benefits as soon as possible. If the SSA approves your application or appeal, you will begin receiving benefits right away.

Are You Struggling With Your Disability Application?

Our Social Security Disability lawyers at McMahan Law Firm are here to help!

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Social Security Disability FAQs

If you were denied social security benefits, it’s in your best interest to give our Social Security Disability lawyers a call for help on appealing the decision. The first step is filing a reconsideration request within 60 days. If that fails, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge within 60 days. If your claim is denied again, you can submit an appeal within 60 days to the Appeals Council. While there are further steps you can take, many denied claims are approved at some point during the first two stages of the appeals process.

While getting Social Security Disability benefits should be easy, the process can be very confusing. An SSD attorney can help you fight for your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and get the benefits you desperately need.

Yes! Statistically speaking, 77% of applications are denied in their initial filing. After a hearing, the approval numbers jump to nearly 50%. Finally, with the help of a qualified Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyer, the approval rates jump to nearly 60%.

Everyone is different, and the amount you can collect each month depends partially on the nature of your disability and the work you did before you were hurt.

Long-term disability insurance policies or other private forms of disability benefits won’t affect your SSDI benefits, but workers’ compensation or other temporary benefits from the state can reduce your federal benefits. You can only get a total of 80% of your prior earning level from federal and state disability sources.

You can work while receiving Social Security Disability benefits, but how much you can work and how much you can earn is strictly limited. These limits change from year to year, and your Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyer can help you work out what they are for you. If you make more than the annual limit, you will be considered able to work and may lose your benefits after a short trial work period. If you’re planning on going back to work, it’s a good idea to discuss this with our lawyers at McMahan Law Firm so you’re aware of the potential effects on your benefits.

If you collect SSDI, your spouse and children or your ex-spouse may be able to also receive benefits as dependents. These benefits will be less than your monthly benefits. Dependents must be spouses, children under 18, or young adults who became disabled before the age of 22.

Spouses who are at least 62 years old and ex-spouses at least 62 years of age that you were married to for at least 10 years can collect benefits. Finally, if your ex-spouse cares for your children, they can collect benefits until the children turn 16, or they can continue to collect indefinitely for a child who became disabled before age 22.

SSI and SSDI are all-or-nothing forms of compensation for disability. You have to be completely disabled and unable to work at all according to the Social Security Administration in order to collect benefits. Partial disability does not allow benefits because the SSA will assume that you can hold a different kind of job even if you can no longer work your former job.

To collect disability benefits, your disability doesn’t have to be permanent, but it does have to be long-term. Your disability must be expected to last at least one year or be terminal in order for you to collect. If you experience a health improvement, which the SSA might see as an increase in your non-Social Security earnings or a return to work, you could lose your benefits.

If, however, you file a claim and get better before it’s granted, you may be eligible for back payments for the period during which you were disabled. Talk to our Social Security Disability attorneys to let us advocate for your rights and get the help you need filing for these benefits.

Far too many honest social security claims are denied every year. This means that you need to collect all the medical proof you can to back up your claim. You may include records from doctor’s visits, surgeries, procedures, medications, therapy sessions, and more. Any reports from doctors and specialists you have worked with can be vital medical proof.

If you end up going before a judge on appeal, your Chattanooga, TN, disability lawyer at the McMahan Law Firm may bring forth medical experts to testify for you, which can weigh heavily in your favor. We will be your fierce and loyal advocates.