Fighting for the Social Security disability (SSD) benefits you’re entitled to shouldn’t be a battle you face alone. If you’re having problems navigating what seems like miles of red tape, Dr. Ted Injury Law is here to help.
Why trust our law firm? We bring unique medical insight to disability claims. Our founder, Dr. Ted A. Greve, is a licensed chiropractor who focuses exclusively on practicing law. His extensive medical training helps him understand your disabilities and medical records in ways other attorneys may not.
If you’re concerned about not being able to afford hiring an attorney, there’s no need to worry when you work with us. We charge nothing to get started on your SSD case, and you pay absolutely nothing unless we recover the benefits you deserve. This means you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Don’t wait another minute to demand what you’re owed. Call the Lawyer Who’s Also a Doctor for your free, no-obligation consultation about applying for Social Security disability.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney for Your Social Security Disability Claim in Augusta, GA
An Augusta, GA SSD attorney from Dr. Ted Injury Law can guide you through the complex Social Security system. The Social Security Administration (SSA) rejects claims for about 70 percent of first-time applicants, even when people clearly qualify for benefits. Having the right legal help changes those odds dramatically.
Our legal team knows precisely what the SSA looks for when reviewing claims. We understand the medical evidence needed, the legal standards that apply, and the administrative procedures that must be followed to the letter. One missing document or missed deadline can destroy your claim.
Dr. Ted’s medical background provides crucial advantages. He reads medical records like a doctor, not just a lawyer. Dr. Ted understands how your condition affects your ability to work, both now and in the future. This medical knowledge enables us to present your disabilities in a clear and compelling manner, as required by the SSA for approval.
Contact our law firm today to speak with an Augusta, GA Social Security disability lawyer. Your case review is free and fully confidential.
What Is Social Security Disability (SSD)?
Social Security Disability (SSD) provides a monthly source of income to people who can’t work because of serious medical conditions. The program’s funds come from the Social Security taxes taken from your paycheck throughout your working years. If you become disabled, you’re entitled to access benefits you’ve already paid for.
To qualify, your condition must prevent you from doing any substantial work for at least 12 months. The SSA doesn’t care if you can’t do your old job; they want to know whether you can do any job at all. This strict standard causes many deserving people to be denied benefits they desperately need.
What Are the Different Types of SSD?
Social Security has two main disability programs, which are as follows:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which provides benefits based on your work history and what you paid into the system
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which helps disabled people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history
SSDI requires you to have earned sufficient work credits through employment covered by Social Security. The amount you receive depends on your average earnings before becoming disabled.
SSI has strict income and asset limits, but it doesn’t require work credits. Some people may qualify for both programs simultaneously.
When you meet with us for your free case review, we can assess your situation to determine which Social Security program is best for you.
Who Qualifies for Disability Benefits?
Qualifying for disability benefits requires meeting strict medical and non-medical requirements. Your Augusta, GA Social Security disability attorney will help prove that you meet all the criteria.
Medically, your condition must be severe enough to prevent you from performing “substantial gainful activity.” The SSA defines this as the level of work activity and earnings that determines whether you qualify for SSD.
The SSA maintains a list of impairments it considers disabling. However, you can still qualify with other conditions if they’re equally limiting. Common qualifying conditions include the following:
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Mental illness
- Back injuries
- Autoimmune disorders
Beyond the medical qualifications, SSDI requires sufficient work credits. This is usually 40 credits total with 20 earned in the last 10 years. Younger workers need fewer credits. SSI requires limited income and resources instead of work credits. U.S. citizens and certain legal residents can qualify for benefits.
How Much Can I Receive in SSD Benefits?
Your monthly SSDI payment depends on your average lifetime earnings before disability. The SSA calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, then applies a formula to determine your Primary Insurance Amount. Most recipients get between $800 and $1,800 monthly, with the average around $1,260.
SSI has maximum federal payment amounts that change yearly. In Georgia, you might also qualify for state supplemental payments on top of federal SSI benefits. Family members, including minor children and spouses caring for young children, might receive additional benefits based on your work record.
It’s also worth noting that back payments cover the time between when you became disabled and when the SSA approves your claim. These lump-sum payments can be substantial, especially if your claim takes months or years to approve.
When Should I Apply for Disability Benefits?
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as you realize you can’t work for at least 12 months. In other words, you shouldn’t wait until you’ve been disabled for a whole year. Instead, apply when you know your condition will last that long. The SSA has a five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits, and the application process itself takes months.
Starting early matters. This is because the SSA can only pay retroactive benefits (back benefits) for up to 12 months before your application date for SSDI. On the other hand, SSI does not pay benefits for months before your application date.
Don’t miss out on the benefits you’re entitled to. Get in touch with Dr. Ted Injury Law today.
What Happens After I Submit an SSD Application?
After submitting your SSD claim, the SSA sends it to Georgia’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office. Medical and vocational experts will review your application, medical records, and work history. They might request additional medical exams or documentation.
Initial decisions typically take three to five months, but complex cases can take longer. If you’re approved, you’ll receive an award letter explaining how much you will receive in benefits and when your payments will start. If you’re denied, you’ll get a detailed explanation of why the SSA rejected your claim.
Most applicants receive denials at this stage, even with strong cases. Don’t give up now, as the appeals process often leads to approval with proper legal representation. Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law to learn how a Social Security disability lawyer in Augusta, GA can help with your claim.
Why Was My SSD Application Denied?
The SSA denies applications for numerous reasons, and many of them have nothing to do with whether you’re truly disabled. They include the following:
- Insufficient Medical Evidence – The SSA requires detailed medical records to prove the severity of your condition. However, many applicants submit incomplete documentation or fail to include recent test results and treatment notes.
- Earning Too Much Income – Some SSD applicants may be working and earning over the substantial gainful activity limit (about $1,620 monthly in 2025 for non-blind individuals). This often triggers an automatic denial, regardless of your medical condition.
- Condition Won’t Last 12 months – The SSA might determine your disability is temporary or will improve with treatment before reaching the required 12-month duration.
- Failure to Follow Treatment – Not taking prescribed medications or skipping doctor appointments can lead to denial. However, the SSA must consider whether you can afford treatment.
- Missing Deadlines or Appointments – Failing to return forms on time or skipping consultative examinations scheduled by the SSA results in automatic denial.
- Ability to Do Other Work – The SSA might agree you can’t do your past work. Still, they can claim you can perform some other type of job based on your age, education, and remaining abilities.
- Drugs or Alcohol Contributing to Disability – If the SSA believes substance use is a contributing factor to your disability, they will deny your claim even if you have other serious conditions.
- Lack of Work Credits – SSDI requires sufficient recent work history, and many people discover too late that they don’t have enough qualifying quarters of coverage.
Our legal team understands how to counter these justifications for denial so you can get the help you deserve. Reach out to us today for your free, confidential case review.
What Should I Do If My SSD Application Was Denied?
A denial doesn’t mean your case is over. Rather, it means you need to start your Social Security disability appeal. You have 60 days from receiving the denial letter to request reconsideration. Missing this deadline means you’ll have to start over with a new application and lose potential back payments.
The appeals process has multiple levels: reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. Many denials get overturned at the hearing level when applicants have legal representation. Without an attorney, it can be challenging to know how to refute the SSA’s reason for denying your claim.
Don’t try to navigate appeals alone. The SSA knows the system inside and out, and you need someone equally knowledgeable fighting for you.
Contact an Augusta, GA Social Security Disability Lawyer Today
The challenges of living with a disability can be difficult to put into words. With so much riding on a favorable outcome to your SSDI case, you can optimize your road to approval with help from Dr. Ted Injury Law. We can handle every aspect of your disability claim while you focus on your health.
You’ve earned your benefits through years of hard work. Don’t let the SSA keep them from you. Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with an Augusta, GA SSD lawyer. There are no out-of-pocket costs for us to get started on your case, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Don’t be misled — call Dr. Ted!
