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Are you thinking about applying for Social Security Disability benefits? If so, you may feel unsure about where to start or how to address issues if you have already been denied. Whether you need help with an initial application or an appeal, a lawyer from Stine & Associates, P.C. can guide you through every step of your claim. We build strong personal injury cases for people in Crabtree and throughout Westmoreland County, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and Western and Central Pennsylvania.
SSD Benefits in Crabtree, Pennsylvania
If you live in Crabtree, Pennsylvania, and cannot work because of a disability, you might qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. There are two main types of these benefits: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI pays benefits to people who have worked and paid into the Social Security system through payroll taxes but now have a medical condition that stops them from working. To qualify for SSDI, you must have a disability that the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers severe. Your disability must prevent you from doing any substantial work. You must also have earned sufficient “work credits” through your past employment. Most people must have worked at least five of the last ten years, but younger workers sometimes qualify with fewer credits.
SSI provides monthly payments to individuals with very little income and few resources. It is intended to help people in Crabtree and across Pennsylvania who meet certain financial eligibility requirements and are blind, have a disability, or are age 65 or older. To qualify for SSI, you must meet strict income and asset limits. Your disability must also meet the SSA’s definition of a qualifying condition. You can still qualify for SSI benefits even if you have never worked or have only worked part-time jobs in Crabtree or nearby areas like Greensburg.
How a Crabtree Social Security Disability Lawyer Can Assist
Filing for Social Security benefits can feel overwhelming, especially if you are trying to focus on your health. A Social Security attorney can handle the application process for you and help you avoid common mistakes that could delay or hurt your case. If you live in Crabtree or anywhere in Westmoreland County, a lawyer can help you with your Social Security claim by:
- Gathering medical records as proof of your disability
- Completing your Social Security application
- Filing your application with the Social Security office in Greensburg
- Reviewing your work history to evaluate your SSDI eligibility
- Advising you on other benefits you might qualify for
- Contacting your doctors to get detailed medical opinions
- Filing an appeal if the SSA denies your claim
- Representing you at disability hearings if necessary
- Tracking important deadlines so you do not miss your chance to appeal
Why Choose Stine & Associates?
If you need help applying for Social Security benefits in Crabtree, you want someone who knows the system and treats your case with care. Attorney Cindy Stine brings over 30 years of experience to every case. She has dedicated her career to helping injured, ill, and disabled clients get the benefits they need.
Stine & Associates, P.C., works with clients throughout Westmoreland County, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, and across Western and Central Pennsylvania. As a small, local firm based in Greensburg, we take pride in providing the personal attention every client deserves. Cindy Stine handles each case with care, from the first consultation through every stage of the application or appeal process.
Before founding the firm in 2007, Cindy worked for a large Pittsburgh firm where she handled personal injury, workers’ compensation, asbestos, and Social Security Disability cases. She uses that strong background today to guide clients through confusing government processes and help them avoid common mistakes.
We offer free consultations and do not charge any legal fees unless you win benefits. If you need someone to stand by your side and give you straight answers, Cindy Stine is here to help.
Common Reasons for Social Security Disability Denials in Crabtree
Applying for Social Security Disability benefits can feel stressful, especially since so many first-time applications get denied. People in Crabtree and across Pennsylvania often run into the same problems when trying to get approved, including:
- Insufficient Medical Evidence: The SSA requires strong medical records to demonstrate that your condition prevents you from working. If you do not submit enough documents or if your records do not clearly explain how your disability limits you, they might deny your claim.
- Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment: If you ignore medical advice or skip treatments your doctors recommend, the SSA might decide that you are not doing enough to improve your condition. If you don’t have a good reason for these oversights, it could hurt your case.
- Income or Work Activity Exceeds Limits: To qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you cannot earn more than a set amount each month from work activity. If you keep working after you apply and cross that income limit, the SSA could decide you are not eligible for benefits.
- Condition Does Not Meet Disability Standards: The SSA uses strict rules to determine whether a condition qualifies as a disability. Some claims get denied because the condition does not match the listings they use or because they believe you can adjust to another type of work.
- Incomplete or Incorrect Application: Simple mistakes on your application can cause big problems. Missing information about your doctors, treatment dates, medications, or past jobs can slow down your claim or lead to a denial.
- Failure to Cooperate With the SSA: When you apply for disability benefits, you must respond to letters, attend exams, and provide information when asked. If you ignore requests or miss appointments, the SSA could deny your claim for lack of cooperation.
The Appeals Process for SSDI and SSI in the Crabtree Area
Just because your SSDI or SSI claim gets denied does not mean you have to give up. You have the right to appeal and request a review of your case. The Social Security appeals process gives you several chances to prove your claim. Here are the four main stages of the Social Security appeals process:
- Reconsideration: If you disagree with the initial decision, you can ask for reconsideration. At this stage, a different SSA representative reviews your case. They review all the original evidence and any new information you provide.
- Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): If the Social Security Administration denies your claim again after reconsideration, you can request a hearing. This involves an administrative law judge (ALJ) reviewing your case and all the evidence.
- Review by the Appeals Council: If you do not agree with the ALJ’s decision, you can ask the Appeals Council to review your case. The Appeals Council decides whether to review the judge’s decision, send it back for a new hearing, or let the decision stand.
- Federal Court Review: If the Appeals Council refuses to change the outcome, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. At this stage, a federal judge reviews your case to decide if the Social Security Administration made mistakes when handling your claim. You must file a formal legal complaint and follow court procedures, so most people hire a lawyer to help with this step.
Contact a Social Security Lawyer Serving Crabtree, Pennsylvania
If you need help with a Social Security Disability claim in Crabtree or anywhere in Westmoreland County, Greensburg, Pittsburgh, or Western and Central Pennsylvania, contact Stine & Associates, P.C. We’re standing by to provide the answers and support you need. We offer free initial consultations and are paid only if you win benefits. Call us today or contact us online for your free consultation with a dedicated personal injury attorney.