What happens when a Houston resident has worked for years, has paid Social Security payroll taxes, but becomes disabled before retirement age? People in this situation may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. These benefits exist to provide assistance to eligible workers. Far from being a government handout, Social Security Disability is run as an insurance program to benefit people who have paid into the system.
Last week we told you about some funding issues the Social Security Administration was facing. As baby boomers retire or become eligible for disability benefits, the system has been strained, with claimants taking the brunt of it with delays in approvals. Congress responded by boosting the SSA’s budget by $480 million. This is likely a start down the right path in terms of the changes that must be made so that people who’ve paid into Social Security can get the benefits they’ve earned.
If a claimant has been denied benefits on their initial application, they have the option of seeking legal representation for the appeals process. Attorney David Dopkin has 20 years of experience advocating for disabled clients, and he has handled over 2,500 Social Security Disability claims. At the law office of David Dopkin, Attorney at Law, we provide skilled, knowledgeable and experienced advocacy on behalf of our clients in their appeals from filing for reconsideration to federal appeals.
If you have 10 years of work experience, you may be eligible for SSD benefits. Even if you do not, you may be eligible anyway, or you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income. We are familiar with Social Security law and can help with determining possible eligibility and with guiding claimants through the appeals process. For more information on the services we provide, please see the Social Security disability page on our website.