IF I OWN MY OWN BUSINESS AND HAVE A DISABLING CONDITION THAT PREVENTS ME FROM TECHNICALLY "DOING WORK" WITHIN MY BUSINESS, AM I ELIGIBLE FOR RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?

Now more than ever you need help with your Social Security Disability claim

If you find yourself hurt and unable to work because of an injury or illness, Social Security Disability may seem like a much needed lifeline. After a serious injury or illness, some people who are unable to work have no other way to provide for themselves or their families. The benefits provided by the SSA disability program can mean everything.

Unfortunately, applying for disability benefits is not as easy as it sounds. Even before the economy started to suffer in this latest recession, the Social Security Administration was struggling with a massive disability claims backlog. Claimants had to wait months upon months for a decision, and even longer if they had to appeal a claims denial. It didn’t seem like things could get any worse.

However, things are in fact worse now. The worsening economy continues to drive sick or disabled workers to apply for SSD benefits, which has nearly crippled the agency with an unexpected flood of applications. People are now waiting longer than ever before for their claims to be approved, and with the majority of claims denied the first time, many will wait for months more if they file an appeal.

The SSA is aware of the problem, and is working on it – but even Social Security Commissioner Michael Astrue admits that it will take more time for changes to have any effect on the backlog. According to Astrue, “part of the difficulty is these are highly technical, difficult jobs. The people we hired over the summer won’t be fully trained and productive for the most part until next summer. So we’re still struggling and limping a bit."

What does this mean for you? It means if you need disability benefits as soon as possible, your initial application must be as strong as possible. Many times, SSD applications are turned down because of incomplete or missing information, which can happen if you don’t know exactly what claims processors are looking for on an application.

One way you can improve your odds of having your Social Security disability claim approved in New York the first time around is to get help from a law firm with a proven track record handing SSD claims. At Markhoff & Mittman, our lawyers have years of experience helping sick and injured workers get the disability benefits they deserve.

If you need help from a skilled New York Social Security disability claims attorney, please contact the law office of Markhoff & Mittman today.

Markhoff & Mittman, P.C.

14 Mamaroneck Avenue

Suite 400

White Plains, NY 10601

Toll Free: (866) 205-2415

Phone: (914) 946-1452

Fax: (914) 946-0810