You work hard your entire life, paying into Social Security with the expectation that it will provide a safety net when you retire. But what happens when you become physically or mentally unable to work before retirement age? How do you pay your bills, take care of your family, and maintain your financial stability? Fortunately, Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI) are designed to provide support for individuals who can no longer work due to injury or illness. These benefits are monthly payments that may continue for the rest of your life, along with additional advantages like Medicare coverage.

Navigating the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be a daunting and confusing experience, especially when you are already dealing with a serious medical condition. At Brady & Kunz, we cut through the government red tape to help you get the benefits you deserve as quickly as possible. With over 30 years of experience, our attorneys know how to prepare strong applications, gather the necessary medical documentation, and represent clients at hearings to secure a favorable outcome.

Why Choose Brady & Kunz for Social Security Disability Cases?

  • Decades of Experience: With more than 30 years of experience, we have helped countless clients navigate the Social Security Disability process successfully.
  • Comprehensive Support: From the initial application to hearings before an administrative law judge, we provide full-service representation tailored to your needs.
  • Personalized Attention: We understand that every client’s situation is unique. We take the time to listen, understand your challenges, and build a case strategy that works for you.
  • Proven Results: Our team has a strong track record of securing benefits for clients, even in cases where initial applications were denied.

Understanding Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Benefits provide financial support to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying medical condition. Key facts about SSDI include:

  • Eligibility: To qualify for SSDI, you must have a condition that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.
  • Work Credits: Applicants must have earned enough work credits through prior employment to be eligible for benefits.
  • Monthly Payments: Approved individuals receive monthly benefits based on their average lifetime earnings.
  • Additional Benefits: Many SSDI recipients also qualify for Medicare coverage after a waiting period.

How Brady & Kunz Can Help You

Filing for SSDI can be a complex and frustrating process. Many applications are denied due to errors, incomplete information, or lack of supporting evidence. Here’s how we can help:

  • Application Preparation: We assist clients in completing the initial application accurately and thoroughly to improve the chances of approval.
  • Medical Documentation: Our team gathers the necessary medical records and reports to support your claim, demonstrating the extent of your disability.
  • Representation at Hearings: If your claim is denied, we represent you at hearings before an administrative law judge, ensuring that your case is presented effectively.
  • Appeals Process: For clients who need to appeal a denial, we handle all aspects of the appeals process, from filing reconsideration requests to preparing for additional hearings.

Common Conditions That Qualify for SSDI

The SSA recognizes a wide range of medical conditions that may qualify for disability benefits, including but not limited to:

  • Chronic Illnesses: Conditions such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, and severe arthritis.
  • Mental Health Disorders: Including depression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD.
  • Neurological Disorders: Such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and ALS.
  • Cardiovascular Conditions: Including heart disease and stroke-related impairments.
  • Musculoskeletal Disorders: Such as back injuries and joint disorders.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Dealing with the SSA on your own can be overwhelming. Many initial applications are denied simply because they lack sufficient documentation or fail to meet the strict criteria set by the SSA. By working with an experienced Social Security Disability attorney, you can:

  • Avoid Common Pitfalls: Ensure your application is complete, accurate, and supported by strong evidence.
  • Receive Expert Advocacy: Benefit from experienced representation during hearings and appeals.
  • Focus on Your Health: Let us handle the legal complexities so you can focus on your well-being.

Call Brady & Kunz for Experienced SSDI Representation

If you or a loved one is unable to work due to a disability, don’t navigate the Social Security Disability process alone. The attorneys at Brady & Kunz are here to guide you every step of the way, from the initial application to appeals and hearings. Call us today at (732) 240-4600 for a free consultation and take the first step toward securing the benefits you deserve.

CFR Title 20, Chapter III, Subpart P, Vocational Considerations, Section 404.1563

Your age as a vocational factor.

(a) General. “Age” means your chronological age. When we decide whether you are disabled under § 416.920(g)(1), we will consider your chronological age in combination with your residual functional capacity, education, and work experience. We will not consider your ability to adjust to other work on the basis of your age alone. In determining the extent to which age affects a person’s ability to adjust to other work, we consider advancing age to be an increasingly limiting factor in the person’s ability to make such an adjustment, as we explain in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. If you are unemployed but you still have the ability to adjust to other work, we will find that you are not disabled. In paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section and in appendix 2 of subpart P of part 404 of this chapter, we explain in more detail how we consider your age as a vocational factor.

(b) How we apply the age categories. When we make a finding about your ability to do other work under § 416.920(f)(1), we will use the age categories in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section. We will use each of the age categories that applies to you during the period for which we must determine if you are disabled. We will not apply the age categories mechanically in a borderline situation. If you are within a few days to a few months of reaching an older age category, and using the older age category would result in a determination or decision that you are disabled, we will consider whether to use the older age category after evaluating the overall impact of all the factors of your case.

(c) Younger person. If you are a younger person (under age 50), we generally do not consider that your age will seriously affect your ability to adjust to other work. However, in some circumstances, we consider that persons age 45–49 are more limited in their ability to adjust to other work than persons who have not attained age 45. See Rule 201.17 in appendix 2 of subpart P of part 404 of this chapter.

(d) Person closely approaching advanced age. If you are closely approaching advanced age (age 50–54), we will consider that your age along with a severe impairment(s) and limited work experience may seriously affect your ability to adjust to other work.

(e) Person of advanced age. We consider that at advanced age (age 55 or older), age significantly affects a person’s ability to adjust to other work. We have special rules for persons of advanced age and for persons in this category who are closely approaching retirement age (age 60 or older). See § 416.968(d)(4).

(f) Information about your age. We will usually not ask you to prove your age. However, if we need to know your exact age to determine whether you get disability benefits, we will ask you for evidence of your age.

10 Questions to Ask your Social Security Disability Lawyer

A fee agreement must be submitted to Social Security and approved before you must pay your lawyer. If you are awarded disability benefits before or at the hearing level, the fee is based on a percentage (25%) of past due benefits.

The most common expenses are the cost for copying your medical records and medical or vocational expert fees if they are used for your case. Social Security allows your lawyer to ask you to pay these costs while your case is pending, but the lawyer can pay the costs and you can reimburse him or her when your case is completed.

You can file for Social Security Disability benefits anytime but you must prove that your disability exists prior to your full retirement age. You can only collect past due benefits for 1 year from the date your claim is filed.

Yes, if you are awarded Social Security Disability Insurance benefits (SSDI). You will be covered by Medicare on the 25th month of your disability. If you are awarded Supplemental Security Income (SSI) only, you will be covered by Medicaid.

Yes. For 2025 you can earn $1,620 per month and still be eligible for your full Social Security Disability benefit.

Social Security allows a trial work period where you can return to work and continue to collect your disability benefits depending on how long you work and what your monthly earnings are.

No. Social Security calls psychological or psychiatric disabilities “non-exertional” disabilities and will award benefits if you meet the requirements.

If your initial application is denied you have the right to file what’s called a Request for Reconsideration. If that is denied, the next step is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You have the right to appear in-person before the Administrative Law Judge who will hear your case. The majority of hearings are now conducted by video on Microsoft TEAMS.

Yes, if it is determined that their testimony will be helpful to prove your claim. Medical and/or vocational experts may be called to testify on your behalf. In most cases the Judge will also have a vocational expert testify about your past work and whether you can currently work.

You have the right to appeal to what is called the “Appeals Council”. At that level, the Judge’s decision will be reviewed, and a determination will be made whether the Judge’s decision is correct or not.