LOCAL ALABAMA DISABILITY ADVOCATES

If you live in Alabama, why not get an Alabama advocate to help with your Social Security disability problem?  Why not get a Huntsville advocate?

If you call one of those 800 numbers you see on late night TV, you will get an out-of-state firm which probably does not have an office in Alabama.  You may not meet your advocate until a few minutes before your hearing.  You will not be able to walk into an office, close the door, and speak on-on-one about your case.

The Forsythe Firm, on the other hand, maintains an office near Bridge Street in Huntsville, serving all of North Alabama.  We also have an office in Franklin, TN for our clients in middle Tennessee.

Call us at (256) 799-0297.  
Contact the Forsythe Firm

WHAT A LOCAL DISABILITY ADVOCATE SHOULD OFFER YOU

Sure, you could call one of those out-of-state 800 numbers for help with your Social Security disability.  But here is what a local disability counselor or advocate should be able to offer you that these 800 numbers may not:

1. a convenient, private, local office in which to counsel you personally and map out a plan to represent you individually.
2. face-to-face meetings anytime you need advice, have questions or need to drop off or pick up documents.
3.  a staff trained and dedicated to providing you with individualized, personal service.
4. prompt return of your phone calls.
5. in person preparation for hearings, meetings or conferences with Social Security - held with the representative who will actually represent you at the hearing.

Frankly, the boys at the 1-800 numbers generally don't have any local offices.  They don't specialize in personal service.  They usually focus on volume--handling as many cases as possible, a kind of wholesale approach to the business.  

Consider an experienced, dedicated but local disability advocate or attorney that you can walk in and meet.

The Forsythe Firm, offices located near Bridge Street in Huntsville, would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.  Free case evaluations.  Never an upfront fee.  (256) 799-0297

 Contact the Forsythe Firm: Social Security Justice

DISABLED VETERANS: GET VA DISABILITY AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY - HUNTSVILLE, AL

HUNTSVILLE / NORTH ALABAMA.....VETERANS MAY QUALIFY FOR FULL VA DISABILITY BENEFITS AND FULL SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS.

If you served your country in any branch of the armed forces and have become disabled, whether or not your injury is related to military service (as long as you were active duty at the time you became disabled) - you may qualify for full Social Security benefits in addition to VA disability.

• Does my disability have to be service connected?  No.
• What if I am disabled but still on active duty?  You may still qualify.
• If I get VA benefits, is Social Security automatic?  No, you must apply separately.  The approval process is a bit different.
• Must I have a 100 percent VA disability rating?  Not necessarily.
•  Will getting Social Security disability benefits reduce my VA benefits?  No.
• Can I get help in applying for Social Security without an upfront fee?  Yes.  We charge no fee unless you win with past due (lump sum) benefits payable.  Never an upfront charge.
• Who do I contact?

THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Charles W. Forsythe, MS
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297
www.Get-SS.com
 www.Get-SS.com

www.VeteransDisabilityHuntsville.com

Huntsville AL Disability Counselors and Advocates

Trying to sign up for Social Security disability benefits?

Find the process too complicated, confusing and frustrating?

I think Social Security is one of the most complicated and overwhelming things the average person will ever try to do.  The language is difficult, the process is burdensome, and the burden of proof is demanding.

That's why most people trying for disability benefits use professional representation.  Let the pros handle the government red tape while you go about your life. Your advocate will obtain the evidence required, complete the forms, and handle the mediation.   

Contact Huntsville's leading disability advocate firm.

The Forsythe Firm
7027 Old Madison Pike, Suite 108
Huntsville, AL 35806
(256) 799-0297

"Across from Bridge Street"

• Free case evaluations
• No fee unless you win and collect back pay
• If we take your case, we front the expenses
• Free street level parking - handicap accessible
• Friendly, local service by experienced professionals 

Free consultations are by appointment only.  Call today for an appointment at (256) 799-0297.

The Forsythe Firm Huntsville - click here for help 

WHY AN SSDI CLAIM IS BETTER THAN AN SSI CLAIM

SSDI = The regular Social Security disability insurance claim, also called Title 2.

SSI = Supplemental Security Income, also called Title 16.

Why should you file an SSDI claim instead of an SSI claim, if possible?  You may need to file both claims; however, here is why an SSDI or Title 2 claim is usually better:

1. SSDI will usually pay a much higher benefit than SSI.  (See below).
2. SSDI has no "means test," doesn't require you to be poor or have very limited resources or very restricted household income.  SSI qualification is based on resources and household income, including, for example, your spouse's income.
3. SSDI will come with Medicare, whereas SSI comes with Medicaid.

*The maximum SSDI benefit for an individual is $2,633 in 2016.  The maximum federal SSI benefit for an individual is $733 in 2016.

**To file an SSDI or Title 2 claim, the claimant must have acquired a sufficient number of quarters of work credits.  Generally, this means he or she has worked at least 5 out of the last 10 years.  

 Forsythe Firm webpage here

CONFUSING DISABILITY TERMS: WHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?

Some important terms stand out in Social Security disability regulations.  Here is what they mean.

Alleged Onset Date (AOD).  This is the date the claimant alleges to have first become disabled.  If it becomes the Established Onset Date (EOD), meaning that the Social Security Administration agrees that the claimant did indeed become disabled on that date, benefits may be paid back to that date.  So the AOD/EOD affects how many months of back pay or past due benefits the claimant is entitled to receive.

Waiting Period.  The waiting period for all Title 2 (regular disability) claims is 5 full calendar months.  This is really an elimination period.  5 months of benefits will be subtracted from the Established Onset Date.  For example, if you are found to have become disabled on March 15^th, your waiting period will include the months of April –August and your first benefit payment eligibility will be for the month of September.  This does not necessarily mean you would have to wait 5 months to get a benefit. It depends on when hour established onset date was. 

Duration Requirement.  Social Security regulations require a claimant to be disabled for at least 12 consecutive months in order to receive disability benefits.  And the 12 months must be from the same impairment(s).  For example, if a person is disabled for 5 months because of a heart attack, then becomes disabled again for 7 months because of back surgery, the two impairments cannot be combined to satisfy the 12 month duration requirement.  A claimant does not necessarily have to wait 12 months before filing an application for disability benefits, however.  If he/she expects to be disabled for a period of 12 consecutive months by the same condition or combination of conditions, the application can be filed immediately.  The requirement is that the claimant provides medical documentation that he/she can reasonably be expected to be disabled for at least 12 consecutive months.  Disability expected to last less than 12 consecutive months are not covered by Social Security.  Benefits may be awarded before the 12 month period expires.  The duration requirement is intended to eliminate benefits for impairments that are expected to last less than 12 months.

Date Last Insured (DLI).  This is the date the claimant’s Social Security disability insurance expires.  Yes, disability insurance does expire if you stop working and stop paying FICA taxes.  If your DLI is 12/31/17, for instance, you must file a disability claim before 12/31/17 or prove that you became disabled prior to 12/31/17.  Otherwise, you lose the right to file a new claim after 12/31/17.  If you are receiving disability benefits from Social Security, this date has nothing to do with when your payments will stop, when your case will be reviewed again, etc.  It simply means that there was a point in time beyond which you could not file a new disability claim.  That date is called The Date Last insured (DLI).  If you are receiving disability benefits, you obviously filed a claim prior to the DLI, so the date means nothing to you at this point.

2 WAYS TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS

#1 - Obtain Help From a Disability Advocate or Attorney who knows the system and the process.  The majority of claimants whose claims are approved are assisted by a Social Security disability advocate or attorney with experience in filing federal disability claims or handling appeals.  What does this representation cost?  The answer:  Nothing unless you win and receive back payments.  Representation is available on a "pay only if you win" or contingency basis.  There is no risk.  You never pay a fee unless you win your claim and receive a past due award settlement (back pay).

#2 - File your own claim and do your own paperwork and prep.  CAUTION:  Up to 75 percent of initial applications are denied and require an appeal.  Most of these claimants will end up getting professional help with the appeal.  You may want to consider getting professional help at the beginning.  In many cases, representation will cost you nothing -- even if you win.  Here is why:

There is a 5 months waiting period on all Title II disability claims.  You cannot be paid benefits during the first 5 months you are disabled.  If your claim is approved during this 5 month period, there would be no immediate benefit payable, thus no fee for your representative.  Fees are only paid out of back pay.  If there is no back pay, there is no fee.

However, if your representative is able to obtain back payments (perhaps dating back as long as 17 months prior to your application), or if a lengthy appeal is required, back pay may be awarded and a fee could be payable to your representative, which would be paid out of the back payments or past due benefits.

The Forsythe Firm will be happy to provide you with a free analysis of your claim and to answer any questions you may have about federal disability benefits---at no cost, no obligation. We will also explain how the contingency fee system works if we enter into an agreement to represent you.


THE FORSYTHE FIRM
Focused on Social Security Disability
7027 Old Madison Pike NW - Suite 108
"Across from Bridge Street"
Huntsville, AL 35806
PHONE (256) 799-0297         By appointment