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Social Security.

LEGAL QUESTIONS? CONTACT US AT: 425-641-6000

Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are programs administered by the federal goverment through the Social Security Administration and are intended to provide a financial safety net for persons who become totally disabled during the course of their lifetimes. Social Security Disability generally runs until age of retirement when it converts to social security retirement benefits. SSI, unlike SSD, can last into the retirement years. Both SSD and SSI are subject to the same test for disability: whether the person is totally disabled from all substantial gainful activity, not just whether or not the person is disabled from his job at time of onset of disability.

"Disability" means:

• the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity;
• by reason of any medically deteriminable physical or mental impairment;
• which can be expected to result in death OR which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
  
  SSD benefits become payable at the beginning of the sixth month after the onset of disability; you can claim retroactive disability benefits up to 12 months prior to the date you first applied for disability, so it is important to file early if you believe you may be entitled to SSD or SSI benefits.
  
  Unlike SSD benefits, there is no waiting period to collect SSI benefits.
  
  Applying for SSD and SSI benefits often involves several levels of appeal:
  
• Initial application;
• Reconsideration
• Further Reconsideration and Request for Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge;
• Appeal to the Social Security Administration Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia;
• Appeal to United States District Court;
• Appeal to Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (and in rare cases to the US Supreme Court).
  
  As might be imagined, SSD and SSI can be quite lengthy, at times requiring years to reach a final outcome. An experienced social security attorney can help you build your case most effectivley by helping you to develop the most persuasive and powerful medical, vocational and factual evidence to maximize your chances for success. You should feel free to contact Joe Koplin with questions about social security claims at joekoplin@mandk.net or you can reach him directly at (425) 641-6000.

NOTICE: THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THESE PAGES IS INTENDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT AS LEGAL ADVICE. NO ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP IS CREATED BY VIEWING THESE PAGES NOR BY E MAIL INQUIRIES TO MOSCHETTO AND KOPLIN.