Lowell Social Security Disability Lawyer

The Social Security Administration pays disability benefits to people with medical conditions that prevent them from maintaining gainful employment. In a recent year, the Social Security Administration paid over $122.3 million in monthly benefits to 65,205 people in Lowell, including 8,325 disabled workers.

The complicated application process often prevents eligible applicants from receiving their rightful benefits. Our experienced Lowell Social Security disability lawyers have over 25 years of experience handling Social Security claims. We understand the disability review process and what it takes to get your application approved if you are eligible. Call (800) 742-3920 today for a free consultation.

Find out what your case is worth.

Legally Reviewed by:

Rob Levine

Last Updated:

May 30, 2025

Table of Contents

What a Lowell Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Do for You
Who Qualifies for Social Security Benefits in Lowell?
The Social Security Disability Claims Process
What Happens if My Claim Is Denied?
Why You Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer
Hear from Our Satisfied Clients.
Let Rob Levin Law Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve
Social Security Disability FAQs

What a Lowell Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Do for You

The SSA denies an average of 68 percent of applications and only approves 19 to 21 percent during the initial application process. The average approval rate for appeals ranges from just two to seven percent. Our Social Security attorneys can dramatically improve your approval odds by ensuring your application and supporting evidence are correct and complete.

We are a nationwide Social Security disability law firm in Lowell, Massachusetts, dedicated to helping disabled individuals access the benefits they deserve. We started as a small local law firm and received national attention thanks to Rob Levine’s outstanding leadership and compassion for those with disabling conditions. Our firm has recovered over $2 billion in disability benefits and injury compensation for more than 50,000 people.

Our Social Security Case Results

Our Massachusetts Social Security case results include the following:

We are ready to work just as hard for you. Contact Rob Levine Law today for a free case evaluation.

Who Qualifies for Social Security Benefits in Lowell?

The SSA offers two disability benefit programs: SSDI and SSI. MassAbility is a program funded by the Commonwealth that empowers disabled individuals. It provides career services, job training, assistive devices, and information about SSDI and SSI. If you cannot perform any type of work because of your disability, you may qualify for SSI, SSDI, or both. The eligibility criteria vary.

SSDI Eligibility

Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI, pays benefits to those with disabling conditions that prevent them from working. To qualify, the applicant must have earned enough work credits. Workers can earn up to four credits per year. The required work credits vary based on your age, as follows:

31 and older – You generally need at least 20 credits during the past ten years.
Younger than 24 – You generally need at least six credits during the last three years.
24 to 31 – You generally must have worked at least half the time between the date you turned 21 and your disability began.

To qualify medically, you must be blind or have a medical condition that meets the program’s strict definition of disability. The condition must be expected to last at least a year or result in death. It must also prevent you from working and earning more than the substantial gainful activity limit. In 2025, the substantial gainful activity limit is $1,620 per month. If you are blind, the limit is $2,700. The SSA updates these amounts annually. The substantial gainful activity limit may be different if you are self-employed.

SSI Eligibility

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a needs-based program for individuals with disabilities and older people with limited resources. To qualify, you must have little or no income and assets and meet one of the following criteria:

You are blind.
You meet the same strict definition of disability required for SSDI.
You are 65 or older.

You need not have earned work credits to qualify for SSI. Instead, your income must be below the maximum SSI payment amount. In 2025, the threshold amount is $967 for a single individual and $1,450 for a couple. If an essential person lives with you, your limit may increase by $484. Your assets must also be below certain limits. As of 2025, the asset limit is $2,000 for a single person or $3,000 for a couple. These amounts are adjusted annually.

Massachusetts is one of several states that offer supplemental SSI benefits. The Massachusetts State Supplement Program pays up to $128.82 per month to Massachusetts SSI recipients over 65 or $114.39 to those who are disabled. If your income or assets are too high to qualify for SSI, you may still qualify for the State Supplement Program. However, you must first apply for SSI. Our SSI lawyers can help you apply for federal SSI benefits and the State Supplement Program.

The Social Security Disability Claims Process

An SSDI or SSI claim begins with an application. You can apply online through the Social Security Administration’s website, by phone, or in person. The toll-free number is (800) 772-1213. The Lowell Social Security office is located at 151 Warren Street, Suite 300.

You will need the following documents when you apply:

Proof of age
Proof of citizenship
U.S. military discharge paperwork if you served before 1968
Tax information
An Adult Disability Report
Any medical records, test results, or doctor’s reports in your possession
Payment verification if you receive workers’ compensation or similar benefits

Your original birth certificate or passport can serve as proof of age and citizenship. Social Security does not accept photocopies of these documents, but photocopies of other documents are acceptable.

What Happens After You Submit Your Application?

The Lowell Social Security office will determine whether you have the required work credits for SSDI or meet the income and asset criteria for SSI. If you are working, the reviewer will determine whether you are performing substantial gainful activity. If your application survives the initial review, the reviewer will send your application to the Disability Determination Service in Boston or Worcester.

The SSA will assign a disability examiner to review your medical evidence and gather more evidence as needed. The examiner may contact you by phone or mail to ask questions or request documents. If you do not respond promptly, the examiner will continue without the requested information, which could hurt your claim. The examiner may require that you undergo a special physical examination if your medical records are insufficient.

The examiner will review the evidence and consider the following sequence of questions.

Is Your Condition Severe?

The examiner will determine whether your condition significantly limits your ability to perform basic activities required for work, such as lifting, standing, walking, sitting, and remembering. They will also determine whether the limitations will last for 12 consecutive months or more. The SSA will deny your claim if the examiner does not find that your condition is severe enough. If your condition is severe, the examiner will consider the next question.

Is Your Condition on the List Of Disabling Conditions?

The SSA’s Listing of Impairments, also known as the Blue Book, has 14 categories of qualifying conditions. If you have a listed condition or the examiner finds your condition is as severe as a listed condition, you have a qualifying disability. If not, the examiner moves to the next question.

Can You Do the Work You Did Previously?

The examiner will determine whether you can perform any of your past work. If the answer is yes, you do not have a qualifying disability. If no, the examiner proceeds to the final question.

Can You Do Any Other Type of Work?

The examiner will consider your age, experience, training, and transferable skills to determine whether you could adapt to another type of work. If the answer is no, you have a qualifying disability. If it is yes, Social Security will deny your application.

You will receive a decision letter. If your benefits are approved, there is a five-month waiting period, beginning with the onset of your disability. Your waiting period may have already passed by the time the SSA decides your claim.

What Happens if My Claim Is Denied?

A denial is discouraging and frustrating, but it is not final. The SSA allows you to appeal for up to 60 days after the denial. It presumes you received your denial letter five days after it was dated. There are four levels of appeals:

Reconsideration – a review by someone who did not participate in the initial decision
Hearing – a review by an administrative law judge
Appeal Council review – a request for a review of the administrative law judge’s decision
Federal district court action – a civil lawsuit in the federal district court

You may need to include additional evidence with your appeal, depending on the reason for the denial. Our experienced Lowell disability attorneys can determine the evidence you need and file your appeal. Your attorney will need the following information from you:

What is your disability?
How long have you been disabled?
What is the date of your most recent denial?
How long has it been since you worked?
What reason did Social Security give for the denial?

Common Reasons SSDI Claims Are Denied in MA

The SSA may deny an SSDI claim for multiple reasons, including the following:

Insufficient medical evidence
Failure to follow prescribed treatment
Failure to attend a scheduled special medical examination
Earnings beyond the substantial gainful activity limit
The condition does not meet the definition of disability
Insufficient work credits
Application errors

Regardless of the reason for the denial, it is important to speak with a well-versed Lowell disability lawyer as soon as possible to explore your options.

Why You Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer

The SSA often denies eligible applicants because of application errors. Having an attorney who knows the process can ensure your application is correct and complete.

Our knowledgeable Social Security Disability lawyers in Lowell can review your case and determine your eligibility. We can determine whether you need additional medical tests or physical examinations to prove your case. We can help you find a doctor who will document your condition correctly. We will ensure your application is correct and that your evidence is strong.

Whether you are applying for the first time or appealing, we can guide you through the process and do the work for you. You can count on us to take care of the following:

Gather evidence
File your application correctly
Answer correspondence from the SSA
File your appeal
Represent you in a hearing or federal court

Our skilled Lowell disability lawyers know the legal system and the program’s requirements. Many of our clients have praised their results.

Hear from Our Satisfied Clients

Thank you for your services, AWESOME JOB!

This law firm did an awesome job for me and I advise anyone that needs help getting approved for social security disability this is the law firm to call.

Alphonso Stewart

Thank you!

Rob Levin were with me the whole 15 months this operation took to complete. They kept me informed and up to date on my case and procedures of the Social Security Disability system.

Joseph C.

Once again, me and my family thank you.

First, I want to say I appreciate the patience this office Rob Levine gave me and my family work…to help me to file my disability Social Security case. I put in a lot of hours and hard work. I highly recommend if you have a Social Security or disability case, get in touch with this office.

Arthur G.

Let Rob Levin Law Help You Get the Benefits You Deserve

Being disabled should not be synonymous with not having your basic needs met. Rob Levine is an experienced Lowell Social Security Lawyer with over 25 years of experience and a proven track record. Win or no fees, that’s the Fee Free Guarantee™! We are available 24/7.

Call us today at (800) 742-3920 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Social Security Disability FAQs

Do I Need an Attorney to File for Social Security Disability?

If you apply for SSDI or SSI without an attorney, your application will likely be denied. An experienced Lowell Social Security disability lawyer can ensure your application and supporting evidence meet Social Security’s stringent requirements.

How Long Does It Take To Get SSDI Benefits?

Social Security generally imposes a five-month waiting period for SSDI, which begins on the date Social Security determines you became disabled. Your benefits should start in the sixth full month after the SSA determines your disability began.

Can I Apply For SSDI And SSI At The Same Time?

You can apply for both programs simultaneously, but your combined benefit must not exceed the maximum SSI benefit. This is known as concurrent benefits.

Get Your Free Consultation Now

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Case Type*

Message*

Checkbox*

By submitting your request via our online forms or chat, you grant permission to our law firm or any affiliate or law firm we refer you to contact you by phone, text messaging, automatic telephone dialing system and/or a telephone dialing system using artificial or prerecorded voice message, and/or email using the phone number or email address that you provided so we may assist you with your request for a free case evaluation and you consent to our use of an automatic telephone dialing system, even if the number you provide us is a wireless line. Being contacted is not a condition of purchase or acceptance of services of any kind.

Unique ID

CAPTCHA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Comments

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Office Location

Lowell, MA

1 Merrimack Plaza Suite 5,
Lowell, MA 01852

(800) 742-3920

Notable Case Results

$100,000

Client was a passenger in vehicle in Ashland MA where he broke his right arm, leading to an open reduction procedure. I was able to secure $8,000 in PIP for his lost wages immediately, and then was able to settle for one $100k policy and argued that the other drive in the crash was at […]

$11,500

Client was driving in Bellingham MA. Def pulled out of driving and hit the drivers side to our clients car. Client suffered from whiplash and was stiff. Required physical therapy for several weeks.

$75,000

Air Force veteran who served in the 1960s is currently fighting for additonal benefits with our office. We have already earned him $75,000 in benefits but we are working to get more for the client. He is suffering from mental health and orthopedic issues.

Thank you.

I would like to thank the Rob Levine Law team for their very efficient, thorough, and most professional care in guiding me through the ss disability process. They did exactly what was promised. I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish the final outcome without the help of Yessica Castrillo. She was so much help and very patient with me. I lack the modern phone skills, most definitely. Again, I would like to thank the whole team. Without all your help, I would still be struggling along, behind on all the bills, stressed out to the max. I have a life that can be enjoyable again.

David S.

Jany was extremely helpful with getting the process started.

I went into this aimless and not really knowing where to go or who to speak to and she worked with me and my off schedule to make sure she got in contact with me and got the information needed. First impressions are everything and through her I feel stress has been lifted and I’ve chosen the right people to represent me. Thank you!

Kevin G.

I've had such a great experience throughout the entire process.

Manuela Ramirez was my point of contact every step of the way keeping me informed and up to date with the entire process. Ultimately they were able to get me a favorable outcome as a team and I am forever grateful to all involved. Thank you again!

Rob L.

I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of personal injury legal help.

I had a fantastic experience with Rob Levine Law Personal Injury Lawyers. They provided excellent support throughout my case, and I want to give a special shout-out to Yessica, the secretary, who was incredibly helpful. Her assistance made a significant difference in my experience with the firm.

Mateo Efstathopulos

Additional Resources