In addition to securing longshore benefits for our injured workers, the lawyers at Injured Worker’s Legal Center have represent their clients in claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Workers pay into the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program throughout their career and deserve to receive disability benefits when they are no longer able to work. In order to qualify for SSDI benefits, a person must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security, including periods of military service. Additionally, a person must have worked in a social security eligible job five out of the 10 most recent years.
There are many types of disabilities that may make people eligible for benefits. When a person experiences a disabling injury or illness, the SSDI program should step in and offer financial assistance. However, more than half of all initial stage SSDI applications are denied. Most people give up and never appeal the denied claim, but the Injured Worker’s Legal Center strives to turn around these denied claims through the appeal process and has successfully secured benefits for hundreds of Mainers.
SSDI filing deadlines are strict. It is important for clients to call the Injured Worker’s Legal Center as soon as they have received a denial of their claim. We will work with you to answer your questions, put together a persuasive claim, and represent you at a final hearing. The social security process can often take more than a year before a decision is reached. Injured Worker’s Legal Center receives no compensation unless they are successful on your claim and then are paid from a portion of retroactive benefits you are awarded.