Murfreesboro Social Security Disability Claims | SSD | SSDI | Legal Questions
Murfreesboro social security disability lawyers can answer your most complicated disability related questions, whether they relate to medical conditions, amount of benefits, or even to an appeal after the government has denied your claim. The following topics just cover some of the many questions and concerns that people typically have when they are trying to recover benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
FAQ Topics
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Who is eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits?
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What are some things the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers when coming to a decision?
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Does the SSA handle anything differently in its treatment of blind or deaf individuals?
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Which family members can receive benefits and when are they eligible?
1. Who is eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits?
Social Security pays benefits to people who are unable to work due to a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year, or that is expected to result in death. Federal law has created this very restrictive definition of disability, making it more difficult to prove and collect disability benefits. Although there are some programs that give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.
Certain family members of disabled workers may also be able to receive money from Social Security. Murfreesboro Social Security Lawyers can explain whether you or your family members are eligible for benefits more fully.
2. How can you apply for Social Security disability benefits?
There are two ways that you can apply for disability benefits. You may either:
- Apply at www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityonline; or
- Call the government's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 to make an appointment to file a disability claim at your local Social Security office, or make your claim over the phone. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call the Social Security Administration's toll-free TTY number, 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on business days.
You will need to participate in a disability interview, which should last for about one hour. You can view Social Security office locations throughout the state of Tennessee by going to the Social Security Disability Office Locator and then choosing Tennessee. Social Security offices in the Murfreesboro area are as follows:
| Address | Phone | Hours | Directions |
| 2836 SAINT PATRICK CT | (615) 895-5790, 1-800-772-1213 |
MONDAY - FRIDAY:08:30 AM - 03:30 PM Except Federal Holidays |
FROM I-24 EAST OR WEST BOUND TAKE EXIT 78A AND TRAVEL HWY 96 WEST TOWARD FRANKLIN. TAKE THE THIRD STOP LIGHT WHICH IS ST ANDREW'S DR. TAKE THE FIRST STREET RIGHT PAST KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY WHICH IS ST PATRICK COURT. WE ARE AT THE END OF THE STR |
| 140 CUDE LANE | (866) 964-6302, 1-800-772-1213 |
MONDAY - FRIDAY:08:30 AM - 03:30 PM Except Federal Holidays |
E MAIL ADDRESS: !TN FO MADISON LOCATION: JUST OFF GALLATIN PIKE (31E) IN RIVERGATE BUSINESS CENTER 1/2 MILE NORTH OF TWO MILE PIKE//DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE RIVERGATE MALL BEHIND KRISPY KREME DOUGHNUT SHOP IN RIVERGATE BUSINESS CENTER |
| 1885 SHADY BROOK ST | (931) 381-5832, 1-800-772-1213 |
MONDAY - FRIDAY:09:00 AM - 04:00 PM Except Federal Holidays |
FROM JAMES CAMPBELL BLVD, TURN ONTO SHADY BROOK STREET. OUR OFFICE IS NEXT TO HOBBY LOBBY. |
3. When should you apply for disability benefits?
You should apply for disability benefits as soon as possible after you become disabled or otherwise unable to work. It can take a long time to process an application for disability benefits, from 3 to 5 months according to the government, or even longer. Contact an experienced Murfreesboro social security lawyer today to help get your application in order and moving.
4. What information do you need to provide your lawyer to submit in an application for disability benefits?
In order to help your lawyer properly complete your social security disability benefits application, you should provide the following information:
- Your Social Security number;
- Your birth or baptismal certificate;
- Names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors, caseworkers, hospitals and clinics that took care of you and dates of your visits;
- Names and dosage of all the medicine you take;
- Medical records from your doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics and caseworkers that you already have in your possession;
- Laboratory and test results;
- A summary of where you worked and the kind of work you did; and
- A copy of your most recent W-2 Form (Wage and Tax Statement) or, if you are self-employed, your federal tax return for the past year.
Additionally, you should be prepared to discuss any and all medical conditions you may have and have your medical records available.
5. Who decides whether you receive disability benefits or not?
You may wish to read the federal statute that discusses how the SSA makes Disability Determinations. However, what will basically happen is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will review your application to decide whether you meet the requirements for disability benefits. They will check whether you worked enough years to qualify and evaluate any current work activities you are performing. If you meet the SSA's requirements, they will send your application to the Disability Determination Services office in Tennessee.
The state agency makes the disability decision. Doctors and disability specialists working within the state agency will ask your doctors for information about your condition or disability. They will probably also ask your doctors for information about your ability to do work-related activities, such as walking, sitting, lifting, carrying and remembering instructions. Your doctors, however, will not be the final decisionmakers as to whether or not you will be considered disabled for the purposes of social security benefits.
If the state agency still needs more medical information to make a decision, they may ask you to go for a special examination. After all this has been done, the state agency will render a decision on your case. Even if your claim is denied initially, Murfreesboro social security disability lawyers can help you get back on track and get the money you deserve.
6. What are some things the Social Security Administration (SSA) considers when coming to a decision?
The SSA uses a five-step process to decide if you are disabled, taking into account the following considerations:
- Are you working?
- Is your medical condition "severe"?
- Is your medical condition on the List of Impairments kept by the SSA?
- Can you do the work you did before you developed your medical condition?
- Can you do any other type of work?
7. Does the SSA handle anything differently in its treatment of blind or deaf individuals?
Yes. There are a number of special rules and services for blind and deaf individuals. To find out more, visit the SSA webpage for blind or low-vision individuals. For more information on services available to blind individuals, you can also call the following toll-free phone number: 1-800-772-1213.
Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may also call the SSA at their TTY number, 1-800-325-0778.
8. What happens if you lose your claim for benefits?
Even if you lose in your application for social security disability benefits, you have the opportunity to appeal the decision. This is where a lawyer specializing in disability law can help you most. Winning an appeal can be difficult, but an experienced Murfreesboro social security lawyer can help improve your chances of winning an appeal.
9. What happens once a claim for social security benefits is approved and when will you start to receive your benefits?
If your claim is approved, the SSA will send you a letter letting you know that your application has been approved. The letter will also tell you the amount of your monthly benefit and the effective date when you will begin receiving these benefits. Your monthly disability benefits will be based on your average lifetime earnings. Your first disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began. For example, if the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. However, because Social Security disability benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, you won't actually receive your July check until August. Your Murfreesboro social security lawyer can explain the details to you based on the facts of your case.
For more information, see the statutory provision governing Delivery of Benefit Checks.
10. Which family members can receive benefits and when are they eligible?
According to the SSA, family members that may be entitled to receive benefits include:
- Your spouse, if he or she is age 62 or older;
- Your spouse, at any age if he or she is caring for a child of yours who is younger than age 16 or disabled;
- Your unmarried child, including an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. The child must be younger than age 18 or younger than 19 if in elementary or secondary school full time; and
- Your unmarried child, age 18 or older, if he or she has a disability that started before age 22. (The child’s disability also must meet the definition of disability for adults.)
- Additionally, the SSA notes that, in some situations, a divorced spouse may qualify for benefits based on your earnings if he or she was married to you for at least 10 years, is not currently married and is at least age 62. The money paid to a divorced spouse does not reduce your benefit or any benefits due to your current spouse or children.
Despite these guidelines, it can sometimes be difficult to get benefits for a family member, and you should speak with your Murfreesboro social security disability attorney about arranging for these benefits.
Social Security Disability Attorneys Serve Murfreesboro and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Central Tennessee, including Brentwood, Centerville, Columbia, Dibrell, Franklin, Hendersonville, La Vergne, Lebanon, Lewisburg, Manchester, McMinnville, Murfreesboro, Nashville, Shelbyville, areas in the vicinity of Murfreesboro Municipal Airport,and other communities in Rutherford County.
Call one of the Murfreesboro social security lawyers on this website today for a consultation regarding your claim for disability benefits.