East Lansing Bankruptcy Attorneys
Free Initial Phone Consult  |  517.337.4600
  • Home
  • Our Attorneys
    • Richard Foster
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Defense
    • Divorce Law
    • Estate Planning
    • Social Security
    • Mediation
    • Family Law
    • DUI & Drunk Driving
    • Drug Charges
    • Embezzlement/Fraud
    • Bankruptcy
    • Adoption
    • Workers Comp
    • Personal Injury
    • Vehicle Accidents
    • Dog Bites
    • Brain Injuries
  • Blog
    • Bankruptcy FAQs
    • What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury
    • 5 Steps to Take After a Car Accident
    • How a DUI Can Impact Your Life
    • Do I Need a Social Security Attorney
    • Consequences of a DUI Conviction
    • 4 Mistakes to Avoid During Divorce Proceedings
    • How Personal Injury Attorneys Help After Car Accidents
    • Do I Need a Social Security Disability Attorney
    • DUI Consequences in Michigan
    • Auto Accidents Caused By Aggressive Driving
    • 5 Things You Should Know Before Adoption
    • Do I Need an Estate Plan if I Have Few Assets?
    • How Drug Charges Can Impact Your Teenager
    • How Filing for Bankruptcy Will Affect Your Life
    • Legal Steps After a Dog Bite
    • What Is Estate Planning and Why It Is Important?
    • 5 Things to know about Filing for Workers Compensation
    • Workers' Compensation FAQ
    • 5 Things to Do Before Filing for Divorce
    • Minimize the Effect of Custody Battles on Children
    • Mediation FAQs
    • Do I Need An Estate Plan?
    • Adoption Tax Credit?
  • Contact
    • Free Initial Phone Consultation

Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability Law Firm Lansing, MI

Are you facing financial hardships due to your disability? You may be eligible for Social Security disability. Our Social Security disability attorneys understand that it can be difficult to muddle through all of the government's requirements for financial assistance.

For your convenience, our social security attorneys at Foster & Harmon have compiled the three requirements you will need to meet to receive Social Security disability.


1.) Your condition prevents you from being gainfully employed.

Here is how the Social Security Administration (SSA) will analyze the severity of your condition:

  • Does your condition interfere with your ability to maintain gainful employment?
    • If no, then you do not qualify.
    • If yes, then continue reading.

It is important to remember that the Social Security Administration will expect you to adapt to a new career, if your old one becomes impossible with your disability. As long as you can maintain some form of gainful employment, you do not qualify for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration will make this determination based on your past work history, education, and transferable skills.

You can still have a job and qualify for disability benefits. However, it must be clear that your job does not provide enough for you to live on.

2.) You haven’t earned over the monthly limit.

The vast majority of income earned in the United States is covered under Social Security. For 2018, if your monthly earnings are over $1,180 you are not eligible for Social Security disability. For blind applicants, the 2018 monthly limit is $1,970. The limits are usually increased yearly to reflect the natural growth of wages and other economic conditions.

3.) You have earned enough Social Security credits.

In this situation, "credits" refers to your employment history. The amount of credits needed to be eligible for disability is dependent on your age. Ultimately, you have to have been paying money into the Social Security system in order to collect benefits. To earn one Social Security credit in 2018, you must earn $1,320 in wages or self-employment income. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year.

If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you’ll want to contact an experienced disability attorney. A Social Security attorney will be able to help you apply for disability so you can get the financial assistance you need. Since laws concerning Social Security change from year to year, it is important to hire an attorney who has the right experience to represent your case. For example, a Social Security disability lawyer will know how to interpret and use your medical records to prove the extent of your disability. When you apply for Social Security disability, it helps to have an attorney familiar with Social Security law.

The Lansing disability attorneys at Foster & Harmon P.C. are dedicated to helping you apply for disability benefits or even create an estate plan. For more information regarding Social Security or estate planning, give us a call at (517) 337-4600 for your free initial phone consult.

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Divorce Law
  • Estate Planning
  • Social Security
  • Mediation
  • Family Law
East Lansing Criminal Defense Attorneys MI
  • DUI & Drunk Driving
  • Drug Charges
  • Embezzlement/Fraud
  • Bankruptcy
  • Adoption
  • Workers Comp
  • Personal Injury
  • Vehicle Accidents
  • Dog Bites
  • Brain Injuries
  • About Us

    The law firm of Foster & Harmon P.C. has gained an excellent reputation throughout the legal and local communities of Lansing. Learn about our Lansing attorneys →

  • Practice Areas

    Criminal Defense
    Divorce Law
    Personal Injury
    Family Law

  •  

    Legal Articles
    Mediation FAQ
    Do I Need An Estate Plan?
    Adoption Tax Credit?

  • Contact Info

    Foster & Harmon P.C.
    903 E. Grand River Ave.
    East Lansing, MI 48823

    517.337.4600


Copyright © 2021 Foster & Harmon P.C. | All Rights Reserved.

Web Design & SEO by Internet Marketing Company, Web Traffic Partners, Inc.