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Our Fort Walton Beach SSD Attorneys Will Guide You Through Every Step
The Social Security application and appeals system is a bureaucratic maze. We do not just file paperwork — we build a powerful case for you. Our experienced lawyers manage the entire process, significantly increasing your chances of success.
Stage 1: Building a Strong Initial Application
Many claims are denied due to simple mistakes. We prevent these pitfalls by ensuring your application is meticulously prepared. We help you gather comprehensive medical records from your local doctors and specialists and present your work history and limitations in the precise way the SSA requires.
Stage 2: Fighting a Denial with a Strategic Appeal
If your claim has been denied, do not give up. This is where our experience is most valuable. We immediately file all necessary appeals on your behalf within the strict 60-day deadline and begin building an even stronger case for your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
Stage 3: Winning Your Case at the ALJ Hearing
The Hearing Office is located in Mobile, AL. All hearings are currently handled by phone and do not require you to travel or attend in person. Our lawyers will:
- Thoroughly prepare your testimony and your answers to the judge’s questions.
- Present all your medical evidence and records in a clear and compelling narrative.
- Cross-examine the vocational and medical experts hired by the government.
- Make a persuasive legal argument explaining exactly why your condition meets the SSA's definition of disability.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which Disability Program is for You?
The SSA offers two distinct disability programs. We can quickly help you determine which one fits your circumstances.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): Benefits You Have Earned
SSDI is an insurance program you have paid into through FICA taxes from your paychecks. If you have worked consistently in Fort Walton Beach, served at Eglin Air Force Base or Hurlburt Field, or worked in the surrounding areas, you have likely earned the "work credits" needed to qualify for these benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Federal Safety Net
SSI is a needs-based program for disabled individuals (including children and adults) who have limited income and financial resources and who have not earned enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.
We Handle a Wide Range of Disabling Conditions
Our Fort Walton Beach disability attorneys represent clients with many different physical and mental conditions. We understand how to document these impairments to build a successful claim. Common qualifying conditions in our community include:
- Service-connected disabilities & PTSD: We are honored to serve the many veterans and active-duty members in the Fort Walton Beach area. We have specific experience documenting service-connected injuries and mental health conditions like PTSD and TBI in a way that satisfies the SSA's unique requirements.
- Back, neck, and joint injuries: Debilitating conditions like herniated discs, bulging discs, spinal stenosis, and severe arthritis that cause chronic pain and limit your ability to perform job duties. These are a common medical condition for those in physically demanding service and construction jobs along the Emerald Coast.
- Mental health conditions: Severe depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder can be just as disabling as physical impairments, affecting your ability to concentrate, interact with others, and handle the stresses of a work environment.
- Heart disease & cardiovascular conditions: Serious heart conditions that significantly limit your physical exertion and ability to maintain employment.
- Cancer: The disease itself and the exhausting side effects of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can make sustained work impossible.
- Neurological disorders: Conditions like Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy that have a progressive and devastating impact on your physical and cognitive abilities.
