Living with a disability that prevents you from working creates overwhelming financial stress for you and your family. Getting the Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits you’ve earned through years of working shouldn’t add to that burden. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our team understands both the medical complexities of your condition and the legal challenges of the disability system.
Dr. Ted A. Greve brings a unique advantage to every SSD case: he’s a licensed chiropractor who now practices law exclusively. His medical training allows him to understand your disabilities and medical records in ways other attorneys cannot. Combined with our team’s 100+ years of legal experience, this medical insight helps us build stronger cases and fight more effectively for your benefits.
If you have concerns about not being able to afford a lawyer, there’s no need to worry. That’s because we charge nothing to start working on your SSD case, and you pay nothing unless we recover the benefits you deserve. This means you have everything to gain and nothing to lose.
Call the Lawyer Who’s Also a Doctor for your free, no-obligation consultation about applying for Social Security Disability and how we can fight for the benefits you deserve.
Why You Should Hire an Attorney for Your Social Security Disability Claim in North Carolina
The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies nearly 70 percent of initial applications, even when applicants clearly meet the requirements for benefits. Having a North Carolina SSD attorney on your side can dramatically improve your chances of approval.
Our North Carolina Social Security disability lawyers know exactly what the SSA examines when reviewing disability claims. We understand the specific medical evidence required, the legal standards that apply, and the precise administrative procedures. One missing piece of documentation or a missed deadline can destroy an otherwise valid claim; we can make sure that doesn’t happen for you.
Dr. Ted’s medical background provides significant advantages over traditional law firms. He reviews medical records with the trained eye of a healthcare professional, not just as a lawyer going over legal documents. Dr. Ted understands how your medical condition affects your ability to work, both presently and in the future. This medical knowledge helps us present your disabilities in a clear and persuasive manner, as required by the SSA for approval.
We’ll handle all communications with the SSA, ensure your claim meets every deadline, and fight to secure maximum compensation for your SSD claim. Reach out to us today to learn more.
What Is Social Security Disability (SSD)?
Social Security Disability (SSD) provides monthly income to people who cannot work due to severe medical conditions. The program uses funds from the same Social Security taxes deducted from your paychecks throughout your working years. When disability prevents you from working, you’re entitled to access benefits you’ve already earned through your contributions.
To qualify for benefits, your medical condition must prevent you from performing any substantial work for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death. The SSA doesn’t consider whether you can perform your previous job; they simply evaluate whether you can perform any job in the national economy.
The North Carolina disability system follows federal guidelines. Having a lawyer who’s familiar with state-specific procedures and regional SSA offices can provide significant advantages during the application and appeals process.
What Are the Different Types of SSD?
Social Security operates two primary disability programs designed to help different groups of people. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits based on your work history and Social Security tax contributions. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) assists disabled individuals with limited income and resources. SSI does not take work history into account.
SSDI requires sufficient work credits earned through employment covered by Social Security taxes. The monthly benefit amount depends on your average earnings before becoming disabled. Most SSDI recipients also qualify for Medicare coverage after receiving benefits for 24 months.
SSI has strict income and asset limits, but it doesn’t require work credits to qualify. This program helps disabled people who never worked long enough to earn SSDI eligibility or whose benefits would be very low. Many individuals qualify for both programs simultaneously, receiving combined benefits from each program.
When you meet with a North Carolina SSD lawyer from Dr. Ted Injury Law, we can go over what you need to know based on your situation. Contact us today to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
Who Qualifies for Disability Benefits?
Qualifying for disability benefits requires meeting several requirements, both medical and non-medical. Your North Carolina Social Security Disability attorney can help prove that you satisfy all the necessary criteria for approval.
Medically, your condition must be severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity for at least 12 consecutive months. The SSA maintains a detailed list of impairments that it considers to be automatically disabling. However, you can still qualify with other conditions if they’re equally limiting.
Common qualifying conditions include the following:
- Cancer – Most malignant tumors qualify automatically, though treatment outcomes may affect continuing eligibility
- Cardiovascular Disease – Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and other serious heart conditions that limit physical capacity
- Mental Health Disorders – Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and other conditions that significantly affect cognitive or emotional functioning
- Musculoskeletal Disorders – Back injuries, arthritis, joint problems, and other conditions affecting movement and strength
- Neurological Conditions – Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other disorders affecting the nervous system
Beyond medical qualifications, SSDI requires you to have earned enough work credits, typically 40 total credits with 20 earned in the last 10 years before disability. Younger workers need fewer credits based on their age when disability begins. SSI requires limited income and resources instead of work credits, with strict financial eligibility limits.
How Much Can I Receive in SSD Benefits?
Your monthly SSDI payment depends on your average lifetime earnings before the onset of your disability. The SSA calculates your Average Indexed Monthly Earnings, then applies a complex formula to determine your Primary Insurance Amount. Most recipients receive between $800 and $1,900 monthly.
Back payments cover the period between when you became disabled and when the SSA approves your claim. These retroactive payments can be substantial, especially if your claim takes months or years to resolve. The five-month waiting period for SSDI means your first payment covers the sixth month of disability, but SSI has no waiting period.
When Should I Apply for Disability Benefits?
You should begin applying for Social Security disability as soon as you realize your medical condition will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. Don’t wait until your disability has lasted a whole year; apply when medical evidence shows your condition will last that long. Time is of the essence, as the SSA imposes a mandatory five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits. Moreover, the application process itself takes several months.
Starting your application early protects your rights to retroactive benefits. The SSA can only pay SSDI retroactive benefits for up to 12 months before your application date. SSI doesn’t pay any retroactive benefits before the month of application. Every month you delay filing can cost you money you’ll be unable to recover later.
Working with a Social Security disability lawyer in North Carolina from the beginning helps ensure your initial application includes all necessary evidence and documentation. Strong initial applications have better approval chances and can save months or years of appeals.
What Happens After I Submit an SSD Application?
After submitting your disability application, the SSA forwards it to North Carolina’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) office for review. Medical and vocational specialists examine your application, and they might request additional medical examinations or documentation from your healthcare providers.
Initial decisions typically take three to five months, though complex cases can take longer. If they approve your application, you’ll receive an award letter explaining your monthly benefit amount, when payments begin, and any retroactive benefits owed. If denied, you’ll get a detailed explanation of the SSA’s reasoning for rejecting your claim.
Most applicants receive initial denials, even those with strong cases. The system is designed to reject many legitimate claims at the first level, making the appeals process crucial for obtaining benefits. Don’t give up after an initial denial; many cases succeed during appeals with proper legal representation.
Why Was My SSD Application Denied?
The SSA denies applications for numerous reasons, many unrelated to whether you’re genuinely disabled. Understanding the following common reasons for denial helps strengthen your case or Social Security disability appeal:
- Insufficient medical evidence
- Earning too much income (approximately $1,630 monthly in 2025 for non-blind individuals)
- Questions about the duration of your condition
- Failure to follow prescribed treatment (though the SSA must consider your ability to afford treatment)
- Missing deadlines or appointments
- Ability to perform other work appropriate for your age, education, and remaining capabilities
- Drug or alcohol involvement contributing to your disability
- Insufficient work credits
What Should I Do If My SSD Application Was Denied?
A denial doesn’t end your case; it begins your opportunity for a Social Security disability appeal. You have 60 days from the receipt of the denial notice to request reconsideration. Missing this strict deadline means starting over with a new application and losing potential retroactive benefits.
The appeals process includes multiple levels, such as the following:
- Reconsideration
- A hearing before an administrative law judge
- An Appeals Council review
- Federal court
Many denials get overturned at the hearing level. However, preparing for these hearings requires extensive legal knowledge and understanding of disability law, which most applicants lack.
Contact a North Carolina Social Security Disability Lawyer Today
You’ve earned your benefits by working hard. You shouldn’t let the SSA keep them from you. The attorneys at Dr. Ted Injury Law can handle every aspect of your SSD claim while you focus on your health and family.
Call us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a North Carolina SSD lawyer. You pay no out-of-pocket costs for us to start working on your case, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Don’t be misled — call Dr. Ted!
