Have you thought about what might happen to you if you became sick or injured and could not work? It is estimated that over 20% (twenty percent) of workers in the United States become disabled for a period lasting a year or longer at some point before they reach age 65. According to a March 1, 2007 article from UPI, over half of all U.S. workers would not be able to pay their bills (mortgage, utilities, food, etc.) if they developed a disabling condition that prevented them from working.
For this reason, the Social Security program includes a disability benefit which you can receive if you have paid into the system for enough time (if you have not, you may be eligible for SSI - Supplemental Security Income). Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD or SSDI) is for those under age 65 who find themselves in a position of not being able to work because of an illness or injury. As long as you have reported income on your taxes for a certain period of time, you can receive SSD benefits, it does not matter how much you own or have in assets. You may still qualify for Social Security Disability.
Title II of the Social Security Act covers Disability benefits. The Social Security Regulations that govern these claims are found in Title 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations. These laws are often very different from the language our clients find in their disability insurance policies. Usually, it is much more difficult to qualify for Social Security Disability than it is to prove disability under private insurance or an ERISA plan. Worse, the laws are not easy to read or understand.
Our law firm can assist you in navigating Social Security's maze. We will help you file your application, assist you with forms, file appeals for you, represent you at hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and, if necessary, appeal your case to Federal Court. Social Security Attorney John Tucker has represented over 1000 individuals in pursuing Social Security Disabiltiy and SSI claims in Florida and other states, and he will discuss your case with you for no charge. He is also one of the few lawyers in the State of Florida that handles disability insurance, ERISA disability cases, and Veterans Disability benefits cases in addition to Social Security Disability claims. There is no need to hire more than one lawyer to handle all of these cases.
If you believe we can be of assistance in helping you with the denial of your Social Security Disability benefit claim, please contact us. In the Tampa Bay area, we can be reached by phone at (727) 572-5000. If you are outside the Tampa Bay area, please call us toll-free at (866) 282-5260. Most of our Social Security Disability clients are on the West Coast of Florida (Bradenton, Clearwater, Dunedin, Ft. Myers, Gulfport, Largo, Naples, New Port Richey, Pinellas Park, Sarasota, Seminole, and Tampa), but Disability Attorney John Tucker handles Social Security Disability cases for people throughout Florida and the United States. Please feel free to use our Free Case Evaluation web page, answer the questions on that page, and we will get back to you within 2 business days of receiving the completed questionnaire.
The best time to call is before you file your application for Social Security Disability Benefits or while your initial application is pending, but most of our clients contact after they receive their first denial from the Social Security Administration. We offer a Free Initial Consultation and charge a contingency attorney fee plus costs. We can also help you with other types of disability benefit and insurance claims (such as Disability Insurance, ERISA Disability Benefit, or Veteran's Disability benefits), so you do not need to hire another law firm to help with other disability cases.
You owe it to yourself to find out your options, and understand what we can do to help you.
You have lost your livelihood. You cannot afford to lose your claim.
Let Tucker & Ludin help you get the benefits you deserve.
