Social Security Disability Lawyer in New Bedford
When you are ready to file for either SSDI or SSI benefits, contact our attorneys for help. With years of helping the disabled get their Social Security Disability Income, we know how to navigate the system and help speed up the process. Call your New Bedford disability lawyer today.
Find out what your case is worth.
Legally Reviewed by:
Rob Levine
Last Updated:
January 22, 2025
How an Experienced Disability Lawyer Can Help
When you file a claim for SSI benefits, you will need to provide certain documents to Social Security. These documents may include your Social Security card or number, proof of age, citizenship or alien status record, proof of income, proof of resources, proof of living arrangements, medical sources, and work history. Social Security needs to see original documents, but they will be returned to you.
If you believe you qualify for SSI benefits, do not delay in contacting us. The earliest Social Security will pay SSI is the month after the filing date of your application or the month after you first meet all eligibility requirements, whichever is later. We’ll work with you and your local Social Security office to get you the benefits you deserve as quickly as possible. Know your rights and responsibilities for SSI.
Denied SSDI? Get a New Bedford Disability Lawyer
In addition to meeting Social Security’s definition of disability, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits. Social Security work credits are based on your total yearly wages or self-employment income. You can earn up to four credits each year. The amount needed for credit changes from year to year.
If you are approved for SSDI, certain members of your family may qualify for benefits based on your work. They include: your spouse, if he or she is 62 or older; your spouse, at any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is younger than age 16 or disabled; your unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be younger than age 18 or younger than 19 if in elementary or secondary school full time; and your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22 (the child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability for adults).
FAQs About Your SSDI Case
What is a compassionate allowance?
In order to decrease the decision time for a claim, the SSA has identified a list of conditions that have already met their standards for disability benefits. This initiative was created to help those with serious disabilities by simplifying the process. There are two ways your condition will qualify you for benefits under the CAL Initiative.
- If you have a listed illness or disease that is the same as listed in the schedule of diseases listed on the SSA website, you may automatically qualify for benefits.
- If your disability has the same signs and symptoms as a disease listed on the schedule under the CAL Initiative, then you may qualify for benefits as well.
Can I receive SSI and SSDI benefits at the same time?
In order to receive concurrent benefits, there are going to be two separate tests. The standard to receive benefits medically is the same in both programs. The difference between the two programs is your work history and income level. In order to qualify for SSDI, you must have worked for the last five years and paid into the Social Security system. If you qualify for SSDI and your monthly compensation is less than the maximum amount, currently $783, you could be eligible under the SSI program. Remember, you must qualify for each one individually. In order to qualify for SSI, you must not have income greater than the maximum nor can your net worth be greater than $3,000. This looks at both your income and your household income. For example, if you were receiving $500 for SSDI, you could qualify for $283 under the SSI program.
Why do I need a lawyer to help me apply for SSDI?
Hiring an attorney to help you with your Social Security Disability application is beneficial as it can decrease the length of time it takes for you to get an approval. Their experience in these cases allows them to know what information and documentation you need to receive the maximum amount of benefits.
What happens if my SSDI claim has been denied?
There are two reasons for the denial. The first is that the SSA indicates that you are not qualified for either the SSDI or the SSI program, or both. This is based on your work history, your household income, and your net worth. Generally, unless you believe they are making an error as to what you paid into the social security system or your income level, this is not something that attorneys generally appeal. The second is that the SSA determines that you are not medically qualified for benefits–meaning they believe that you are able to perform gainful employment or your medical condition doesn’t qualify. This could be grounds for appeal. There are four levels of appeal at the administrative or agency level. In order of application, you begin by filing an initial claim. You then file for reconsideration, you then go before an administrative law judge for a hearing, and finally, you can appeal the administrative law judge’s decision before the appeals council. You can be approved or denied at any of those four levels. After you have exhausted all four agency levels, you can either start your application over and remain at the administrative level by filing a new initial claim. Or, you can file an appeal by the appeals counsel leaving the agency level and appealing to the federal district court.
If I don’t have enough work history, or any at all, can I still receive benefits?
Although you may not be able to receive SSDI benefits, you can still apply for Supplemental Security Insurance. Since this is a program based on financial need, you can qualify for these benefits if you do not exceed the Social Security Administration’s limit for income and/or assets.
Get Your Free Consultation Now
"*" indicates required fields
Notable Case Results
$90,000
Veteran living in North Dartmouth served in both the Navy and the Coast Guard during the 60’s and 70’s. Veteran served in Vietnam in the 60s and suffered exposure to Asbestosis which lead to breathing issues. He also had PTSD. We earned the veteran over $90,000 in benefits.
$77,913
Client living in North Dartmouth MA Anterolisthesis ,Chronic Pain, Arthritis, Spinal Stenosis, Migraines, High Blood Pressure.
$90,000
Client was riding their motorized scooter at night, and was hit by a car. The insurance companies argued about liability as our client did not have lights on their scooter. The insurance company was forced to pay 90% of the policy out as they accepted 90% responsibility for this case. The client did suffer broken bones and needed months of rehab.
$330,000
Client fell on poorly maintained stairs on Hazard Court in New Bedford. Lost conciousness when the fall happened. Was rushed to St. Lukes, but the injuries, including internal bleeding of the brain were so severe they rushed him to Boston Medical Center where the client was in ICU for several days.
$70,000
Client was driving in New Bedford on Chaffee Street, Defendant ran a stop sign. Client was rushed to St Lukes Hospital with left side pain and numbness. Treated with PT and ortho and settled the file months later.
$18,000
The client was in Wareham driving on Swift’s Beach Road when the defendant failed to stop at the intersection, hitting our client. The client suffered from neck, back, and shoulder injuries.
$75,000
Client was driving straigh, defendant had a medical emergency cross lanes and hitting our client head on. The client suffered from broken ribs and time missed from work. This occured on Chase Road in Dartmouth Massachusetts
This law firm is truly amazing.
Everything from start to finish is handled with care and precision. Truly a law firm that helps veterans with their cases. They know how the VA works and what’s required to get your case moving forward and resolved with appeals if necessary. This is not an overnight process. As with any cases that deal with due process, it takes a little time because the VA is busy trying to work through each case as best as they can. Usually it’s a 4 to nine month process. To veterans like myself, be patient and be ready to share your details when asked for it.about your case and your service so you can prove your case so they can gather all information necessary to complete your case. And don’t worry things work out smoothly having this Law Firm on your team. Literally don’t worry.
Eric Sumner
I am extremely grateful for the office of Rob Levine on all of his employees there!!!
Everyone there in his office go out of their way to make sure I’m okay and to respond quickly to any concerns or questions I might have. I am so thankful for having them as representation on my disability claim. They care about the clients they represent and will bend over backwards to help them in any way they can. God bless you Rob Levine Law!!!!
Jennifer L.
Your kindness and compassion have made a world of difference in my life, and I will always be thankful for your assistance.
I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for all your help in assisting me with my disability application. Your guidance and support were truly invaluable, and I am so grateful for everything you did to help me through this process. Without your expertise and dedication, I would not have been able to navigate the complexities of the system on my own. Thank you for going above and beyond to ensure that I received the support I needed.
Devon S.
Additional Resources
Related Pages
It’s the season filled with amazement, appreciating the piles of costumes, bags full of candy, and the creepiest decorations seen...
