Legal Question in Social Security Law in Alabama

Re: getting disability

SSA makes it easier to be found disabled as you get older. It becomes easier for a few people at age 45, for more people at age 50, for most people at age 55, and even more people at age 60. You do not mention your age. If you�re over age 55 and you cannot do any job you have done in the past 15 years, your chances are good that could be determined disabled. If you�re over age 50 and have a severe impairment that keeps you from doing all but the easiest jobs, you also have a good chance.

You don't have to be bedridden, even if you're a younger person. If you�re under age 45 or 50 and you cannot do your past jobs and you cannot work full time at any regular job, that may be enough.

Nevertheless, being unable to work and being found "disabled" by the Social Security Administration (SSA) are two different things. It is often difficult to convince SSA that you are "disabled" even when you genuinely cannot work. But it is not impossible.

The Social Security Administration has put new emphasis on making the right decision at the earlier stages. It is also applying the same legal rules at the earlier stages that used to be applied only at the hearing stage. Although about one-third of people who apply without the help of a lawyer are found disabled, your case might be one in which an attorney�s help would make the difference in the early stages. In any event, if you are denied benefits, appeal the denial, at least through the hearing before an administrative law judge.