SSD/SSI Cases Our Lawyers Handle in West Seneca
Disability law isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) case presents unique challenges, stemming from diverse medical histories, employment backgrounds, and documentation requirements. Some applicants are denied because their medical evidence isn’t detailed enough, while others miss out on benefits simply because a form was filled out incorrectly.
Our SSD lawyers know how to navigate these complex rules and build claims that hold up under the strict scrutiny of the Social Security Administration (SSA). We represent clients across West Seneca in a wide range of cases, including:
- SSDI Claims & Applications
- SSDI Denials
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Claims
- Disability Appeals & Hearings
- Veterans Disability Benefits
Our firm also assists with complex or overlapping disability issues, including long-term disability (LTD) insurance claims, workers’ compensation, and medical conditions that worsen over time. Our goal is simple: to turn denials into approvals and make sure every West Seneca resident who deserves benefits actually receives them.
Your SSD Claim in the Hands of Lawyers Who Get Results
If you’ve applied for Social Security Disability and been denied, you’re not alone. Most West Seneca residents who file for SSDI or SSI benefits receive a denial letter even when they’re too sick or injured to work. At Hiller Comerford Injury & Disability Law, we turn that frustration into action. Our attorneys build disability cases that can’t be ignored, using evidence, strategy, and persistence to turn “no” into “approved.”
Building a Claim the SSA Can’t Overlook
Winning disability benefits is about proving, with precision, how your medical condition prevents you from maintaining steady employment. We compile detailed records, test results, and doctor’s statements into a persuasive narrative that meets the SSA’s standards.
Local Advocacy With Real Commitment
We’re not a national firm that treats you like a file number. You’ll work directly with a disability lawyer in West Seneca who understands your challenges, explains every step, and fights to make your claim as strong as possible.
Coordinating Complex Disability and Injury Claims
If your disability results from a workplace or car accident, our expertise in personal injury law allows us to manage both your SSD claim and personal injury claims together. We ensure every avenue for compensation is explored and coordinated.
We Have a No-Fee Guarantee
You never pay us upfront. We only get paid if we win for you, so our success is directly tied to yours.
Free Case Evaluation
Speak with a lawyer at no cost. We’ll review your situation, explain your options, and help you understand the best path forward.
You’re More than a Case
We treat every client like family, taking the time to understand your story and guide you through every step with care and compassion.
Types of Disability Benefits You May Qualify For
Most people in West Seneca who apply for disability benefits qualify for more than one program without realizing it. Others are denied simply because they applied for the wrong type of benefit or didn’t provide the right evidence for each claim. That’s where working with an attorney can make all the difference.
We know how these programs interact, when you can receive multiple benefits at once, and how to avoid common conflicts that cost applicants time and money.
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Social Security Disability (SSD)
SSD benefits are for workers who have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes and can no longer perform substantial work due to a long-term disability. To qualify, you must have enough work credits and meet the SSA’s strict medical definition of disability. For many, SSD acts as the foundation for financial stability, and approval may also open the door to dependent benefits for spouses and children.
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SSD and SSI Combination (Concurrent Benefits)
Some applicants qualify for both SSD and SSI at the same time. This is called concurrent eligibility. If your SSD payment is lower than the SSI income limit, you may receive SSI to make up the difference. However, concurrent cases require careful coordination because income from one program affects eligibility for the other. We can manage both claims simultaneously to prevent underpayment and ensure that no benefit offsets or technical errors reduce your total award.
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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is designed for individuals with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. It’s often the only option for younger people or those who have been out of the workforce for years. Because financial eligibility is reviewed monthly, even small income changes can affect payments.
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SSD for Workers Over 50
Applicants over age 50 face different standards under SSA “grid rules,” which make it easier to qualify if retraining or changing careers is unrealistic. For example, a 55-year-old warehouse worker with chronic back pain may be approved even if a younger applicant with the same condition is denied.
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Widow and Widower Disability Benefits
If your spouse received SSD or was eligible before their passing, you may qualify for survivor disability benefits based on their record. This is especially important for spouses who didn’t earn enough work credits on their own.
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Disabled Adult Child Benefits
If you became disabled before age 22, you may qualify for benefits based on a parent’s SSD or retirement record. Many families miss this entirely, not realizing that these benefits can last for decades.
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Veterans Disability Benefits
West Seneca veterans can receive both VA disability and Social Security disability benefits at the same time. These programs don’t cancel each other out, but the evidence used in one can strengthen the other if presented correctly. We coordinate both claims, making sure the VA’s medical findings support your SSA application and vice versa.
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Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Private or employer-provided LTD coverage often interacts with SSD benefits, meaning your insurer may require you to apply for SSD and will offset your LTD payments if you’re approved.
Our law firm understands how the SSA, VA, and insurance companies communicate, and we leverage this insight to build claims that complement one another rather than creating conflicts. When you work with our disability lawyers, you secure a coordinated strategy that protects every dollar you’re entitled to receive.
How Can a Lawyer Help My SSD Claim?
Working with a Social Security disability attorney ensures that your claim aligns precisely with SSA standards, including meeting the Blue Book criteria, documenting functional limitations, and establishing work history and earnings records. Early legal intervention directly reduces the risk of procedural denials and strengthens the evidentiary foundation needed for approval or a successful appeal.
Here are the key ways an SSD/SSI attorney can safeguard your claim and maximize your chances of approval:
✓ Determine All Eligible Benefits: Identify every program you may qualify for, including SSD, SSI, veterans benefits, and long-term disability, and coordinate claims when multiple programs overlap.
✓ Collect and Organize Critical Evidence: Gather medical records, doctor statements, workplace documentation, and other proof to clearly demonstrate your inability to work.
✓ Handle All SSA Communications: We manage paperwork, respond to information requests, and correct technical errors so your claim progresses smoothly.
✓ Appeal Denials Aggressively: File reconsiderations, prepare for hearings, and develop persuasive legal arguments to challenge SSA decisions.
✓ Prepare You for Hearings: Coach you on presenting testimony, organizing evidence, and addressing SSA questioning with confidence.
✓ Maximize Your Financial Recovery: Ensure retroactive payments, dependent benefits, and any concurrent programs are fully claimed so nothing is overlooked.
✓ Coordinate With Other Claims: If your disability is linked to a workplace injury or personal injury settlement, we integrate those cases to protect your overall compensation.
✓ Protect Your Rights at Every Stage: From the first application to final approval, we act as your advocate, anticipating SSA challenges and safeguarding your benefits.
From initial filing through hearings and appeals, your attorney handles every technical detail of your claim. This includes securing consultative exams, documenting vocational limitations, aligning medical records with SSA requirements, and preparing persuasive briefs for judges.
By addressing procedural issues, ensuring consistency, and anticipating SSA challenges, we can maximize both the speed and amount of benefits, especially for applicants with complex medical histories, prior denials, or concurrent SSI claims.
Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits?
Determining eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits in West Seneca requires more than proving a disability. The Social Security Administration (SSA) applies strict criteria to ensure applicants truly meet the program requirements. Understanding these rules before applying can prevent delays, denials, or missed benefits.
SSD Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for SSD, you must meet both medical and work requirements:
- Your disability must prevent you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (SGA) for at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
- The SSA evaluates whether your condition meets its Blue Book listings or is medically equivalent.
- Complete documentation is necessary, including physician notes, test results, and treatment history.You must have earned enough Social Security work credits, typically 40 credits, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before your disability began. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.
- Your inability to work must be directly caused by the disability.
SSI Eligibility Requirements
SSI eligibility focuses on financial and medical standards rather than work history:
- Your income and resources must be below SSA thresholds, which vary depending on household size and living situation.
- Certain assets, like your home or personal items, may not count, but savings, additional property, and some income sources can affect eligibility.
- Like SSD, the disability must prevent substantial gainful activity for at least 12 months or result in death.
- Proof includes medical records, physician statements, and documentation of functional limitations.
A clear understanding of these eligibility requirements is crucial. By working with a knowledgeable SSD attorney in West Seneca, you ensure your claim accurately reflects your medical condition, work history, and financial situation, greatly increasing the chances of approval on your first attempt or after an appeal.
What Happens If My SSD Claim Is Denied?
Most applicants receive an initial denial, but a denial isn’t the end of the claim. You have 60 days to appeal, and the next steps depend on how strong your medical evidence is and where the procedural error occurred.
- Reconsideration (First Appeal)
Your file is reviewed by a new disability examiner. This stage is document-driven, so a lawyer will:
- Identify why your claim was denied (insufficient objective findings, inconsistent ADL reports, vocational mismatch, etc.).
- Update your medical evidence, request missing RFC forms, and correct errors in your Activities of Daily Living or Work History Forms.
- Submit a targeted legal argument tying your symptoms to specific SSA Listing criteria or proving that you cannot perform past relevant work under SSA’s grid rules.
- Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing
If reconsideration is denied (as it often is), your case is prepared for a hearing before an ALJ. Legal representation becomes far more impactful here. Your Social Security disability attorney will:
- Build a chronological medical narrative showing functional decline over time.
- Prepare you for the judge’s questions, especially credibility, daily limitations, and treatment compliance.
- Cross-examine the vocational expert (VE) to challenge job-numbers data, exertional classifications, and transferable skills assumptions.
- File a pre-hearing brief that addresses the precise legal standards the judge must apply.
- Appeals Council Review
If the ALJ denies the claim, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, which reviews legal and procedural errors. Your lawyer will pinpoint where the ALJ misapplied SSA regulations, ignored crucial medical opinions, or relied on flawed VE testimony.
- Federal Court (If Necessary)
At this stage, your SSD attorney files a civil action in federal court to challenge SSA’s decision. The process is highly technical (focused on judicial review, not new evidence), so legal briefing is critical.
Why Legal Representation Matters at This Stage
After a denial, the SSA no longer treats your case as a simple claim. It becomes a record-based challenge, and the outcome depends on how well the legal and medical file is developed, not just what your doctors have said. This is the point where small weaknesses in your evidence, timelines, or vocational history can carry far more weight than in the initial review.
A Social Security disability attorney in West Seneca ensures that your record is complete, strategically organized, and legally sound before it reaches a reconsideration examiner, an ALJ, or the Appeals Council. The goal is not merely to resubmit evidence, but to shape a file that can withstand increasingly strict review, eliminating gaps the SSA can use to deny the claim again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Social Security disability attorneys are here to provide clear, accurate answers to the questions we hear most, so you can make informed decisions about your claim. For more information, refer to our FAQ page or contact a lawyer today to discuss your case during a free consultation.
Why was my disability claim denied?
A Social Security disability claim can be denied for several reasons, even when you have a serious medical condition. The most common reasons include insufficient medical evidence showing how your condition prevents substantial gainful activity, incomplete or inaccurate forms, or a lack of documentation linking your symptoms to functional limitations.
Some claims are denied because the SSA determines your condition does not meet a Blue Book listing or is not medically equivalent. Other denials occur due to work history issues, missing deadlines, or errors in reporting income and resources. Often, a denial is not a reflection of the severity of your condition but rather of technical, procedural, or evidentiary gaps.
How long does it take to receive SSD or SSI benefits?
The timeline depends on the complexity of your case and the SSA’s workload. Initial SSD applications can take three to six months, while SSI claims often take two to four months. Appeals, especially ALJ hearings, may take 12 to 18 months or longer. Working with an attorney can expedite the process because your application is complete, accurate, and fully documented from the start.
Can I work while receiving disability benefits?
The SSA allows limited work under certain circumstances. SSD and SSI rules define substantial gainful activity (SGA), which is the income threshold that could affect your benefits. An attorney can advise you on how part-time work, trial work periods, or vocational rehabilitation impacts eligibility and monthly payments.
What medical evidence is required for approval?
The SSA requires comprehensive documentation, including doctor statements, treatment notes, test results, imaging, hospital records, and functional assessments that demonstrate how your condition limits your ability to work. Your attorney ensures all evidence meets SSA standards and presents a persuasive case that shows you are unable to perform substantial gainful activity.
How can I afford an SSD lawyer in West Seneca?
Our law firm operates on a contingency basis, which means you only pay legal fees if we win your claim. This ensures our success is directly tied to yours. During your free consultation, we discuss payment details and explain how our fee structure works, so you know exactly what to expect before deciding to move forward.
Do I qualify for disability benefits if I am a veteran?
Yes, veterans in West Seneca can qualify for Social Security Disability benefits even if they already receive VA disability compensation. These two programs are separate, and receiving one does not automatically disqualify you from the other. In fact, medical evidence from the VA can strengthen your Social Security claim if it clearly documents the severity and functional limitations of your condition.
When will I start receiving benefits after my claim is approved?
Once your claim is approved, the timing of your benefits depends on whether you receive SSD or SSI and whether any back payments are awarded. SSD benefits typically start after a five-month waiting period from the onset of your disability, with retroactive payments issued for any eligible months prior to approval. SSI payments can begin as soon as the SSA finalizes your claim, with retroactive payments often covering the period from your application date.
