Social Security Disability

If you're suffering from an injury or physical ailment that makes it difficult or impossible for you to work, you may be entitled to
cash benefits.

We understand that when you can't work, things can get tough. You may be struggling to pay the bills. Family life could be stressful. Medical expenses might be piling up. And on top of all that, pain or discomfort may be making it hard for you to think clearly and see your way through this. We all need help at some point in our lives. If you need help now, please call us.

You can rely on us. O'Malley & Langan has successfully handled thousands of Social Security Disability cases. The process of applying for benefits can be long and frustrating. It can take over two years to receive benefits! Most people who apply for benefits receive a denial letter. Whether due to oversight, forgetfulness or embarrassment, many denials occur simply because people don't provide all of the necessary information. We can help you gather the relevant details required to effectively present your case.

Depending on your situation, you may be eligible for Disability Insurance Benefits (DIB) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). What's the difference? DIB is a program designed to provide support to people who cannot work due to a permanent disability, but have previously earned income and paid Social Security taxes long enough to meet the work credit requirements established by the Social Security Administration. SSI is a need-based aid program designed to provide a supplemental income to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with low levels of monthly income and other financial assets.

The Social Security law provides a limited time to seek DIB benefits, known as your "period of insurability" or your "date last insured (DLI)." If you don't file within that timeline, you may be denied benefits (there is no Statute of Limitations on an SSI claim). So, as soon as you become disabled, call O'Malley & Langan for help. If you've already filed an initial application and your claim was denied, we can submit an appeal to have your case reviewed at an administrative Hearing. There are specific time limits in which to file an appeal of the initial denial. Additionally, we need to submit all of your supporting information to an administrative law judge for review. We will do everything we can to speed up the process so your benefits start as soon as possible. But no matter how soon you file, after becoming disabled, you should know that disability benefits won't begin until the sixth full month of entitlement to benefits.

According to Attorney Jerry Langan, "In my opinion, hiring an attorney will absolutely provide you with a better opportunity for success - but not a guarantee. I believe that hiring an attorney familiar with the Social Security disability process provides several positive advantages. First, it should relieve some of your stress along the way. Second, an attorney may be able to uncover several alternative approaches to present to the Social Security Administration. Always keep in mind that the ultimate goal in the claims process is to obtain an award of benefits. Third, an attorney and his staff will seek to obtain all of the relevant and appropriate documentation in support of your claim. Finally, appearing with the support of an attorney will be more comfortable than appearing alone, should your claim require an appearance before an administrative law judge."

According to the Social Security Administration, a "disability" can be physical, emotional, or a combination of both. In order to obtain benefits, you must prove your disability is severe enough to keep you from working in any paying job for at least twelve consecutive months. Factors that influence the legal finding of disability are the claimant's age, education, work experience, compliance with medical treatment, daily activities and the kind and extent of treatment.

To determine if you are disabled, the Social Security Administration asks five questions.

Are you working?
Is your condition severe?
Is your condition found in the Administration's list of disabling impairments?
Can you do the work you did previously?
Can you do any other type of work?

If you are disabled and need help getting Disability benefits, call O'Malley & Langan right away. We will fight for you and help you get the cash benefits you deserve.