Social Security Disability Insurance Lawyer in Kokomo, IN
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides a monthly cash benefit to disabled individuals who are unable to maintain gainful employment. Even with a qualifying diagnosis and sufficient work history, obtaining these benefits can be difficult. Applications require substantial documentation, and denials are common. Individuals must follow a variety of deadlines and other requirements established by the SSA, which can be complex.
An experienced SSDI attorney in Kokomo can be a valuable resource as you navigate the claims and appeals process. Whether you’re just starting a claim or need to file for reconsideration, learn more about how an attorney can help.
Client-Focused Representation
SSDI lawyers in Kokomo are here to ensure that you receive all benefits you’re entitled to. Working with a qualified attorney can help you expedite your claim and appeal.
In-Depth Knowledge
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a unique administrative law process to hear disability claims. Connect with an attorney who is well-versed in all aspects of SSDI cases for assistance with this process.
Free Case Reviews & No Upfront Costs
Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation. There are no upfront costs, and your attorney only gets paid if you successfully recover benefits.
Table of Contents
What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
Social Security Disability Insurance is a federal safety-net benefit administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). It provides monthly payments to working-age adults who are unable to maintain gainful employment due to an accident, injury, illness, or disability expected to last at least 12 months. Individuals who are blind or have a potentially fatal disease also qualify.
Nationally, over 7.4 million disabled workers and 1.2 million survivors and dependents qualify for this safety-net program. In addition to providing a monthly cash benefit based on your work history, SSDI makes you eligible for Medicare starting 24 months after your benefits begin, or approximately 29 months after your disability started.
Am I Eligible for SSDI in Indiana?
Unlike many disability-related benefits, SSDI eligibility depends not only on your physical limitations but also on your work history. To qualify, you must have earned a sufficient number of Social Security credits based on your age. Credits are accumulated through work and self-employment income, with a maximum of four credits available each year, typically one per quarter. The number of credits required to qualify for benefits varies depending on how old you are when you become disabled. Here’s how it breaks down:
- If you’re under 25, you may qualify for SSDI with as few as 6 credits earned after your 21st birthday.
- Between ages of 24 and 27, you must have worked at least half the time since turning 21.
- Anyone who is 31 or older must have at least 20 credits earned in the past 10 years.
- Credit requirements gradually increase by age up to 9.5 years of work history or 38 credits by age 60.
Anyone who has already reached full retirement age is not eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance. Individuals who are disabled but don’t have sufficient work credits to qualify for SSDI may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). This program provides a flat-rate benefit for individuals or for qualifying couples as of 2025. Individuals who provide essential care to someone on SSI may be eligible for a secondary payment.
Understanding the SSDI Claims Process
SSDI is a federal benefit, so all aspects of the claims and appeals process are determined by the SSA. The system can be highly complex, so it’s wise to consult an attorney early in the process before you need to file an appeal.
What Evidence Do I Need to Prove My SSDI Claim?
Your Kokomo SSDI lawyer can provide advice specific to your case, but in general, you will need medical records going back at least 12 months, which is the threshold for permanent disability. The following items can help to establish a strong case:
- Diagnostic summaries
- Medical records
- Treatment history
- Labs and imaging
- Doctors’ notes
- Functional capacity forms
- Reports from vocational experts
- Personal journals
What Medical Conditions Qualify for SSDI?
Eligibility for SSDI is based on several factors, including work history and your medical diagnosis. However, simply having a qualifying diagnosis isn’t enough. You must show that the condition limits your ability to work, which is measured as residual functional capacity. Medical conditions that are likely to cause a disability are listed in the SSA’s Blue Book. Other conditions may qualify, and certain illnesses allow you to pursue a fast-track application using a Compassionate Allowance. Here are some of the disabling medical conditions recognized by the SSA:
- Major depression and mental health challenges
- Advanced-stage cancer
- Blindness or hearing loss
- MS, ALS, and neurological conditions
- Degenerative disc disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Amputations
- Cystic fibrosis
- Congestive heart failure
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
How To Appeal a Social Security Disability Denial in Indiana
In Indiana, only 34% of SSDI claims are approved after the initial application, which means that about two-thirds are initially denied. The good news is that many applicants are able to access benefits by providing additional evidence during the appeals process. You can learn more about the 4 types of appeals below.
If you receive a denial letter after submitting your initial application, you have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. This process takes 2-5 months on average. It’s an ideal time to provide additional evidence and medical records. About 10-15% of appeals are approved at this stage.
If your claim has not been approved upon reconsideration, you have the right to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). It can take about 12 months to secure a date for your hearing. Although the process is lengthy, the good news is that about 50% of appeals are approved at this level.
The Social Security Administration Appeals Council has offices in Virginia and Maryland. If you are denied an administrative hearing or the ALJ rejects your appeal, you can request a review from the Appeals Council. Requests can be made using the iAppeal online portal or by completing Form HA-520, Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order. This final appeal can take several months to a year to complete.
Pursuing a federal lawsuit against the Social Security Administration is a last resort if all other appeal options have been exhausted. Your SSDI lawyer can prepare a lawsuit if the Appeals Council has denied your request for review or if it issued an unfavorable decision. Every year, about 13,000 workers file these types of claims.
How a Kokomo SSDI Lawyer Can Help
While you don’t need an attorney to file an SSDI claim in Kokomo, working with one can increase your chances of a successful outcome, especially if your initial application was denied. Attorneys have a thorough understanding of SSA regulations, forms, and filing deadlines. Additionally, they can help you gather medical records and other documentation needed to build a strong case.
Hiring an attorney isn’t expensive. Most lawyers have a contingency fee structure, which means that you won’t pay anything unless compensation is recovered. You only pay if compensation is recovered, so there’s no financial risk in getting the help you need. Contact a Kokomo SSDI lawyer today to see if you’re entitled to benefits.
Kokomo Social Security Disability FAQs
If you have a long-term disability lasting 12 months or more and a sufficient work history, you can apply for SSDI through the Social Security Administration. There are several ways to apply:
- In Person: 353 W. Alto Road, Kokomo, IN 46902
- Online: https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/dib
- By Phone: 800-772-1213
The timeline for receiving benefits varies widely. If you establish a strong case and your initial claim is approved, you can start receiving benefits in 6-7 months. If you claim proceeds through reconsideration or an administrative hearing, the process could take 1-3 years. Processing times may be faster for individuals with certain medical conditions, such as cancer or ALS, who qualify for fast-track approval.
Most likely, yes. Once your SSDI benefits begin, you’ll enter a trial work period (TWP) that spans at least nine months. Any month in which you earn above a certain threshold before taxes counts toward this period, and those months don’t need to be consecutive. After the TWP, you move into an extended period of eligibility (EPE), which lasts 36 months. During this time, if your monthly income goes over a set limit, referred to as substantial gainful activity, your SSDI benefits may stop. Different income thresholds apply for individuals who are blind.
If your benefits ended in the last 5 years because you returned to work, you may be eligible for expedited reinstatement. You’ll need to answer a few questions, but you can receive up to 6 months of benefits while your claim is reviewed. If your SSDI benefits ended more than 5 years ago, you’ll need to start a new application.
Waiting months for your SSDI benefits to begin can create financial hardships for you and your family. Fortunately, you may be eligible to receive back pay. SSDI benefits do not begin on the date that your disability started or you were first unable to work. There is a 5-month waiting period. However, you may be entitled to a lump-sum payment covering the time that you were waiting for your claim to be reviewed. For example, if your disability started 18 months ago, you may be entitled to 13 months of back payments after the 5-month waiting period is factored in.
Contact Us for a Free Disability Case Review
If you’re unable to work due to a physical or mental disability, you may be eligible for SSDI or SSI depending on your work history. An experienced Social Security Disability attorney in Kokomo can guide you through the appeals process and increase your chances of a successful claim. It all starts with a free initial consultation and case evaluation. There’s no risk to you.
The Ken Nunn Law Office proudly assists individuals not only in Kokomo but also in Bloomington, Indianapolis, Columbus, Greenwood, Anderson, Muncie, and Avon—as well as communities throughout Indiana. Contact the Ken Nunn Law Office to begin the process of recovering the benefits you deserve.