Social Security Disability Attorneys in Buffalo

Types of Disability Cases We Handle in Buffalo

Every disability claim is unique. Your story, your medical records, and your work history all matter. The Social Security Administration (SSA) often denies claims simply because a form was filled out incorrectly or because medical evidence wasn’t presented the right way. That’s where our Buffalo disability lawyers step in. We build strong, trial-ready cases that get noticed. We represent clients in claims involving:

• SSDI Claims & Applications
• SSDI Denials
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claims
• Disability Appeals & Hearings
• Veterans Disability Benefits

At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we know the evidence the SSA looks for, the deadlines you can’t miss, and the arguments that make a difference in front of a judge. With us, you don’t just file forms. You have an attorney who will build a case that demands results.

Disability Benefits Are Hard to Win, But Not With Us

Getting approved for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) shouldn’t feel like climbing a mountain without a rope. Yet, most first-time applicants are denied.

At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we don’t wait for a denial to take your case seriously, but we prepare it from day one as if it may need to go all the way to appeal. That’s why our clients are often better positioned for success than those who try to go it alone.

Building a Case That Holds Up Anywhere

The Social Security Administration wants detailed proof, not just that you’re hurt, but that you’re truly unable to work. We gather complete medical records, work history, and expert opinions to paint a full and accurate picture of your limitations. If your case ends up in a hearing, you’ll already have a case that’s airtight and ready to win.

Personal Advocacy, Not Paper-Pushing

When you work with us, you don’t get lost in the shuffle. You’ll have a dedicated Buffalo Social Security disability lawyer who knows your story, understands your struggles, and fights relentlessly for your benefits.

When Disability and Injury Overlap

Many of our clients come to us after serious accidents that left them unable to work. Because we also handle personal injury claims, we’re able to connect the dots. That means pursuing every possible source of compensation, whether it’s through a lawsuit, SSD benefits, or both, so no resource is left untapped.

Types of Disability Benefits You May Qualify for in Buffalo

Many people in Buffalo who are eligible for disability benefits often fail to apply because they are unsure which program best suits their situation. Others apply but are denied because they don’t provide the proper proof or miss important deadlines. Each type of benefit has its own rules, and choosing the right path can be the difference between months of waiting and finally receiving the support you need.

Our Social Security disability attorneys in Buffalo don’t let clients leave benefits on the table. Whether it’s SSD, SSI, or veterans’ benefits, we cut through the red tape, handle the paperwork, and build the strongest possible case so you and your family get the financial security you need.

• Social Security Disability (SSD) Insurance Benefits: For people who have worked and paid into the Social Security system but can no longer work due to a qualifying disability.
• SSD for Individuals Age 50 or Older: Rules are more favorable for workers over 50, making approval more likely if you meet disability criteria.
• SSD Widows’ and Widowers’ Benefits: If your spouse was eligible for SSD and passed away, you may qualify if you became disabled within seven years of their death.
• SSD Adult Child Benefits: An adult child who became disabled before age 22 may qualify based on a parent’s record if that parent is deceased, retired, or already receiving SSD.
• SSD Dependent Benefits: If your SSD claim is approved, certain dependents (such as minor children or sometimes a spouse) may also receive additional monthly benefits.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Provides benefits to adults who are disabled, blind, or over 65 with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
• SSI for Children: Children under 18 may qualify for SSI if they have a serious disability that causes severe functional limitations and their household meets strict financial requirements.
• Veterans Disability Benefits: Veterans with service-related disabilities and an honorable discharge may be eligible for monthly compensation through the VA.
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Plans: Employer-sponsored or private LTD insurance can provide income when you can’t work, but insurers often deny or underpay claims. We help with both applications and appeals.

We’re here to help you identify every benefit you may qualify for and push to maximize your financial recovery. If you’ve already been denied, we act quickly on appeals to protect your rights and get your claim back on track. With a Buffalo Social Security disability attorney on your side, you don’t just apply for benefits; you fight for every dollar you’re entitled to.

How Your Buffalo Disability Lawyer Handles the SSD/SSI Process

Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) isn’t as simple as filling out paperwork. The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies most initial applications not because people don’t qualify, but because the process is stacked with strict rules, confusing forms, and evidence requirements that many applicants don’t know about.

That’s where working with a disability lawyer in Buffalo makes all the difference. Here’s how our law firm will handle your case:

✓ Assessing Eligibility – We begin by evaluating your medical condition to determine if it meets the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) criteria for disability. This includes gathering comprehensive medical records, test results, and doctor opinions, as well as reviewing your employment history to assess eligibility for SSD or SSI benefits.

✓ Submitting Your Application – We assist in completing and submitting your application, ensuring all forms are accurately filled out and submitted on time, either through the SSA’s online portal or by mailing paper applications.

✓ Handling SSA Communication – From routine paperwork to complex correspondence, we deal with the SSA directly so you don’t have to navigate their bureaucracy alone.

✓ Appealing Denials Aggressively – A denial isn’t the end of the road. We act quickly to file appeals, correct errors, and push your case forward until every option is exhausted.

✓ Preparing You for SSA Interviews & Hearings – If you’re called for a hearing, we coach you on what to expect and how to present your limitations clearly and effectively.

✓ Maximizing Your Benefits – We calculate every benefit you may be entitled to and make sure the SSA doesn’t underpay or overlook what you deserve.

Too many applicants lose out on SSD and SSI benefits due to missed deadlines, incomplete records, or minor mistakes that can be costly. With a Buffalo Social Security disability attorney, you gain an advocate who anticipates SSA hurdles, corrects errors before they derail your claim, and aggressively fights for the benefits you’ve earned. For many people with disabilities, legal guidance makes the difference between a denied claim and financial security.

Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability in Buffalo?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers two primary disability programs for individuals who are unable to work due to a serious medical condition: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Each program has different eligibility rules, and many people are unaware of which one applies to them. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is for people who have worked and paid into the Social Security system but can no longer work due to a disability expected to last at least one year or result in death. To qualify, you must meet both work history and medical requirements:

• Work Credits: Most workers need about 40 credits, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before their disability began. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
• Medical Condition: Your disability must prevent you from performing “substantial gainful activity” (regular, paying work). The SSA will review your medical records, test results, and doctor statements to decide if your condition qualifies.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the credit requirements, especially if you’re younger or recently stopped working, a Social Security disability attorney in Buffalo will review your work history and help determine eligibility.

Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI)

SSI is different from SSDI. It does not require work history or credits. Instead, it is designed for:

• Adults who are disabled, blind, or over age 65 with limited income and resources.
• Children under 18 with serious disabilities that cause severe functional limitations.

To qualify, your disability must prevent you from working, be expected to last at least 12 months (or result in death), and your household must meet strict financial limits.

Denied Benefits? A Disability Attorney Can Win Your Appeal

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits in New York is a battleground. Nearly 60% of first-time applications are denied, often due to frustrating reasons such as missing forms, incomplete medical records, or technical errors. The odds don’t improve much at the reconsideration stage, where only about 17% of claims are approved statewide.

But persistence pays: once a case reaches a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), approval rates jump to 50–60% or higher, nearly doubling the chances of success compared to stopping early. That’s where a Buffalo Social Security disability attorney can make all the difference:

• Prevent technical denials: Missing a work credit or misreporting income can disqualify your claim before medical eligibility is even considered. Lawyers catch and correct these errors early.
• Build stronger medical records: SSA judges demand detailed supporting documentation. Attorneys know the kinds of treating physician statements and test results that satisfy SSA criteria.
• Meet deadlines—and protect your filing date: Miss a 60-day appeal window, and you lose eligibility for retroactive benefits. Your lawyer ensures the right paperwork gets filed on time.
• Prepare compelling testimony for hearings: At appeals, judges look for credible, well-organized presentations. We coach you through the process, organize medical experts, and anticipate SSA questioning.

Too many deserving people in Buffalo lose their cases because they try to navigate the process alone. A Social Security disability attorney doesn’t just file forms. They protect your eligibility, strengthen medical evidence, and fight for every dollar of benefits you deserve.

Whether you’re at the first denial or facing an upcoming hearing, having a skilled advocate by your side can be the difference between years of financial uncertainty and finally securing the stability you and your family need.

FAQ: Buffalo Social Security Disability Attorney

Navigating SSDI or SSI claims can be overwhelming, especially while managing a severe disability. Our Buffalo Social Security disability attorneys have answered the most common questions to help you understand the process. For more information, consult our FAQ page or contact Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law today.