Seeking Social Security Disability Benefits in MA?

Our experienced Social Security disability lawyers in Boston are here to help you through the process of filing for Social Security disability benefits or appealing a denied application!

Receive SMS Text Alerts
Stay updated by Jim Glaser Law! By checking this box, you are providing your signature to consent to receive SMS text alerts from Jim Glaser Law, even if such communications are considered advertisements, and you confirm that you are the subscriber or customary user of any phone number you submit. Text alerts may be sent using an automated dialing system. Your consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services, and may be revoked at any time by responding STOP to any SMS text alert you receive. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Please review our Privacy Policy.
Hidden
Hidden

A person in a wheelchair at an appointment in an office.

Your Boston Social Security Disability Lawyer

Disabilities can be painful, often resulting in the need for ongoing medical treatment to address secondary issues. Disabilities can also be stressful, preventing you from earning an income or participating in your community in the way that you would like. We realize that, with everything else you’re facing, the last thing you want to do is use your time and energy on a lengthy claims process. That’s where our experience comes in.

Jimmy Knows!® the difficulties that disabilities can cause. Social Security disability benefits, which are a monthly payment from the federal government provided to individuals who have a limited income and a lack of resources, can provide the money you need to live your life as best as possible. A Social Security disability lawyer in Boston can help you get the benefits you may deserve. All it takes is one call to get started with the help you need.

Get Your Free Case Review

1

Getting Help is Easy.

We understand how confusing the process of filing a claim can be and we are ready to put our experience with Social Security disability claims to work for you. Our attorneys will assist you every step of the way.

2

You Don't Have to Fight Alone.

Filing a claim for Social Security disability benefits is a multi-layered process with very strict requirements. Our experienced team knows this process inside and out, and we are ready to fight for the benefits you are entitled to receive.

3

It Costs Nothing to Start the Process.

We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning our services are available to you immediately, without an upfront payment. We don’t get paid unless there is a successful outcome to your claim.

Table of Contents

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Nearly 1 in 4 adults in Massachusetts have a disability, according to the CDC. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a federal program designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe disability. Administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), SSDI offers crucial support to those who have paid into the Social Security system through their work history.

Individuals apply for SSDI when they can no longer maintain gainful employment due to a physical or mental impairment. This impairment must be expected to last at least 1 year or result in death. 

SSDI provides several important benefits, including:

  • Monthly Cash Payments: Beneficiaries receive monthly payments to help cover living expenses. The amount is based on the individual’s earnings record.
  • Medical Benefits: After receiving SSDI benefits for 2 years, individuals become eligible for Medicare, which includes hospital and medical insurance.
  • Protection for Dependents: In certain cases, family members of the recipient, such as dependent children, may also qualify for benefits based on the recipient’s record.
  • Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA): SSDI benefits are adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation, ensuring that recipients’ purchasing power is maintained.

SSDI is a vital lifeline for many individuals with disabilities, providing financial stability and access to healthcare during challenging times. If you or a loved one are struggling with a disability and need assistance with your SSDI claim, Jim Glaser Law is here to help guide you through the process.

See What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

5 Star Rating

They were very knowledgeable and informative to all the issues I was experiencing. They also were very prompt in returning phone calls which is very important to me. Excellent experience.

-Linda R.

I contacted Jim Glaser Law on several occasions with some legal questions. Although I didn’t have a case, they were very knowledgeable and helpful. I also have several family members who have hired JGL and they were very satisfied with the service. Recommend.

-Barbara D.

Jim and his team at Jim Glaser Law have always been a pleasure to work with. I would recommend to anyone looking for a great, honest and hardworking legal team.

-Jake S.

Excellent service and advice. A true professional and responded very quickly to my questions.

-Robert L.

Jim and his team were fast, professional, understanding, and thorough. Jim made us feel at ease from the start, and was with us through the whole experience. I would recommend his firm to anyone.

-John C.

Excellent results! Very friendly and dedicated team! Five stars all the way.

-Corey M.

What can I say, Attorney Glaser and his team are the best! Was able to assist with all of my needs and get me the best results! I highly recommend these guys! Thank you Attorney Glaser.

-Anthony L.

Jim Glaser works hard and is incredibly responsive. He walked me through any questions I had with both my cases. I would refer him to anyone.

-Melissa P.

See More Reviews

Determining If You’re Eligible for SSDI Benefits

In order to qualify for Social Security disability benefits, the following eligibility criteria must be met:

  • Your condition must prevent you from working.
  • Your disability must either be on the administration’s list of covered conditions or be determined to be as severe as the conditions included on the list
  • Your condition must have significantly limited your ability to complete routing physical or mental tasks for at least 1 year.
  • You must have worked in a job that is covered by Social Security and made enough money at that job to earn the work credits required to claim benefits.

The SSA has a stringent definition of disability. To qualify for SSDI, an individual must meet the criteria outlined in the SSA’s “Blue Book,” officially known as the Listing of Impairments. This comprehensive guide details various medical conditions and the severity required for each to be considered disabling.

To be eligible for SSDI, an individual must have earned a sufficient number of work credits. Work credits are accumulated based on the individual’s total yearly wages or self-employment income. In general, you earn up to 4 work credits per year.

The specific number of work credits required varies depending on the age at which the individual suffered the disability. However, typically, an individual needs to have earned at least 40 work credits, with 20 of those credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year their disability was identified.

This means that generally, you need about 10 years of work, with 5 of those years being relatively recent, to qualify for SSDI benefits. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits, as the requirements adjust based on age.

The SSA has a Ticket to Work Program that is designed to help individuals with disabilities get back to work without losing their benefits in the interim. With this program, you’re able to work for a nine-month trial work period and receive full benefits, regardless of your income. For each month that you earn $1,110 or more, you receive a trial work month. After the trial work period, you can receive benefits for the next 36 months if you make less than the monthly substantial gainful activity (SGA) amount: $1,550 or $2,590 if you’re blind. If you earn more, you won’t receive benefits for that month.

If your disability payments stop because of excessive earnings, but your health condition worsens and you can no longer work, you may be eligible for expedited reinstatement of your benefits. An experienced Boston disability lawyer from Jim Glaser Law can help you navigate working while receiving benefits and the process of expediting the reinstatement of your benefits.

Get Your Free Case Review

Applying for SSDI Benefits in Massachusetts

The process of applying for Social Security disability benefits in Boston is overseen by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. The application process includes the following steps:

  • Submit your application, supporting documentation about your medical condition, and your work history for the past 15 years.
  • Your application will undergo an initial review to ensure that you meet the basic requirements and have provided the required documentation. If all of this information is in order, your case will be forwarded to the Disability Determination Service office in your area.
  • The state will make an initial determination on your application. If the application is approved, you will receive a letter noting that approval, the amount of benefits you are eligible to receive, and the date on which these monthly payments will start.

If you disagree with the decision that was made, you are permitted to undergo the disability appeals process.

Appeal a Disability Denial With an Attorney’s Help

There are a number of reasons why your application can be denied, including an arrest warrant or conviction of a crime that results in incarceration, the ability to return to work, or if you are not a citizen of the United States. If your claim is denied, you will be permitted to appeal the decision within 60 days after receiving your determination letter. There are 4 levels of appeal:

  1. Requesting reconsideration of your application
  2. A hearing before an administrative law judge
  3. A review by the Social Security Appeals Council
  4. A review by the federal courts

Our Boston social security disability lawyers can help you with all levels of appeals. A knowledgeable attorney from our firm can provide essential guidance, gather necessary evidence, represent you during hearings, and significantly increase your chances of a successful appeal. Don’t face this challenging process alone—contact us and let our skilled legal team support you every step of the way.

OUR RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES

Lowe’s Class Action (Employment)

$6,500,000

Auto Accident

$2,000,000

Transvaginal Mesh

$1,750,000

Starbucks Class Action (Starbucks Consumer Litigation)

$1,733,000

Workers’ Compensation

$1,600,000

Work-Related Wrongful Death

$1,450,000

Work-Related Motor Vehicle Accident

$925,000

Workers’ Compensation

$550,000

Workers’ Compensation

$500,000

Workers’ Compensation

$485,000

See More Results

Do You Need an SSDI Lawyer in Massachusetts?

While an attorney isn’t necessary for applying for SSDI, navigating all the deadlines and requirements is notoriously challenging. Dozens of applicants are denied every day for simple errors in applications. Hiring an attorney helps ensure that you are filling out your application correctly, seeking the maximum benefits you are entitled to, and giving yourself the best chance of approval. Attorneys can also help with the appeals process if your application is denied. Contact Jim Glaser Law today to learn more and get started on your application with the help of an experienced Boston disability lawyer. Jimmy Knows!® what to do to get you approved!

Get Your Free Case Review

Frequently Asked Questions: Boston SSDI

Other benefit programs such as workers’ comp can reduce SSDI monthly benefits. Contacting a lawyer can help you understand the maximum amount of benefits you’re entitled to and what programs you are eligible for.

Certain family members may obtain benefits through your work credits, including your spouse (if he or she is over the age of 62, is caring for a child who is under the age of 16, or has a disability), minor children, and adult children who have a disability that started before the age of 22.

In most cases, the initial determination for SSDI takes 3 to 6 months. If your application is denied, you may need to file an appeal. The different levels of appeals can take several months, especially if you have to request a hearing. In these cases, you will wait for a hearing for 12 to 17 months, and it may take another 2 to 3 months to get a decision from the judge.

In total, the process can take anywhere from three months to two years, depending on your case. Jimmy Knows® how precious your time is. That’s why he and his team work quickly and efficiently to file all your documents and ensure no errors are made that could prevent you from receiving your benefits. When you work with Jim Glaser Law, you will continually be updated on your case’s status and never wonder where it stands.

If you lack sufficient work credits for SSDI, you may still be eligible for benefits. People who haven’t worked or haven’t paid into Social Security in the past five years may qualify for SSI benefits, including cash payments and medical coverage. Disabled children may also qualify for SSI based on their parents’ work credits. The eligibility and benefits of SSI depend on your financial situation.

If you receive SSDI benefits, they’re usually permanent benefits. In some cases, however, your benefits can be terminated. These may include: working, attending school full-time, earning too much money each month, or becoming incarcerated or institutionalized. Your benefits may also be reduced or eliminated if the SSA believes your condition improved.

If your benefits have been terminated, you have the right to file an appeal. You have 10 days to file an appeal to continue receiving benefits while the case is pending. If your appeal is denied, but you received benefits during that time, you will have to pay that money back. If your benefits were terminated, contact Attorney Jim Glaser today for help in filing your appeal. Jimmy Knows® what you need to do to form the strongest appeal possible for your benefits.

If you reach retirement age while receiving Social Security disability benefits, your benefits will automatically change over to retirement benefits, assuming you meet the standard retirement qualifications for Social Security. In most cases, you cannot receive both retirement benefits and disability benefits from Social Security at the same time on the same earnings record. Contact us for a free case review to get advice on SSDI and retirement today.

In some cases, if you have a serious disability, you may qualify to have student loans discharged as part of your Social Security benefits. If this happens to you, don’t worry about losing benefits. Discharging your loans is a separate issue and will not affect the amount of money you get through your SSDI benefits. 

The Department of Education handles the discharge of your student loans. However, it is always a good option to get a lawyer’s advice when receiving any type of Social Security benefit to help ensure that the paperwork is in order and the process goes smoothly. Contact our Boston disability lawyers, today!

Get Your Free Case Evaluation

There’s absolutely no obligation

"*" indicates required fields

Address*
Receive SMS Text Alerts
Stay updated by Jim Glaser Law! By checking this box, you are providing your signature to consent to receive SMS text alerts from Jim Glaser Law, even if such communications are considered advertisements, and you confirm that you are the subscriber or customary user of any phone number you submit. Text alerts may be sent using an automated dialing system. Your consent is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services, and may be revoked at any time by responding STOP to any SMS text alert you receive. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. By clicking Submit, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. Please review our Privacy Policy.
Hidden
Hidden