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Ohio Social Security Disability Benefit Types

For some families in northeastern Ohio, it can be tough to get by when a loved one suffers from a serious disability. It could be a physical injury, long-term health problem or a mental impairment. If this is something that you and your family face, it will help you to speak with a disability law firm near you. You can see if you have options for getting assistance with your medical and financial needs.

Many people are surprised to learn that they may qualify for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits based on their own disability or a family member’s disability in Ohio. To help you to better understand your potential options, we discuss those different types of benefits below.

To speak with a skilled Social Security lawyer in Ohio about your specific circumstances, contact Heller, Maas, Moro & Magill Co., LPA. With more than 200 years of legal experience, we know how to help people to seek the benefits they deserve. Contact us today and schedule a free and private consultation.

What Is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is what most people think about when they think of disability income. It is a program based on medical necessity. However, it is also dependent on your ability to qualify based on past work history. If you have been working for at least 10-15 years, and you have worked during the last 10 years, there is a good chance that you would qualify for SSDI benefits, assuming you meet all of the other requirements.

SSDI is based on your age and your income history over the past 10 years of work. The more you have earned, the more you have likely paid into Social Security. So, the more you will likely be able to claim each month. If you are a younger individual, you may be able to claim benefits based on a parent’s work history.

It is practically impossible to get SSDI benefits without carefully documenting your medical care and health conditions. This means working closely with a physician (and often a number of trained specialists) in order to clearly establish your claim. Likewise, SSDI imposes a waiting period of five months before you can start getting benefits. In other words, even if you are approved when you first submit your claim, you may need to wait a bit to get paid. However, only a small percentage of claims are initially approved. Most people need to go through the appeals process before their claim is approved. Working with an attorney through the appeals process can make a major difference for you.

What is Supplemental Security Income (SSI)?

SSI is a means-tested program. It compensates disabled people who otherwise fail to qualify for SSDI. Unlike SSDI, eligibility for SSI benefits does not depend on your work history. Instead, it is paid to disabled individuals who fall into one of these categories:

  • Blind
  • Disabled
  • Over age 65

In addition to meeting one of the above requirements, an applicant must show a financial need. This is where the means-testing comes into play. SSI is used as a safety net of sorts to protect those who may not have any other means of paying their basic necessities on a regular basis. Examples of likely eligible candidates for Supplemental Security Income include:

  • An aging senior who has not earned enough work credits to meet the requirements for SSDI benefits, and who has not earned retirement benefits through work or through a family member.
  • A younger disabled person who was unable to qualify for SSDI based on his or her own work credits or those of a family member.

How Does Coordination Of Benefits Work?

Those who qualify for SSDI and SSI generally will receive health benefits through Medicare and through Ohio Medicaid. Coordination of benefits is the process by which multiple insurance plans or government programs make sure that services are billed and paid only once. For instance, through a complex system of federal and state laws, there are times when Medicare will be the primary payment source for medical care, and there are other times when Medicaid may be the presumptive primary payor.

Next, consider that some people will have long-term disability plans from a prior employer. These long-term care plans pay a portion of the salary or wages that the worker received while still working. You generally are not permitted to “double-dip” and get paid twice for your disability. However, there are ways to legally maximize and make the most of your benefits through careful coordination.

Finally, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation or personal injury compensation due to a workplace accident or other type of accident. When this happens, it is critical that you work with an experienced attorney who can help to make sure all offsets, liens and reimbursement amounts are properly handled.

Our Ohio Social Security Disability Benefits Attorneys Can Help You

The experienced SSI lawyers of Heller, Maas, Moro & Magill Co., LPA, are here to serve you and help you get back on your feet. We live and work right here in the communities we serve. With five offices conveniently located throughout northeastern Ohio, our goal is to make sure our clients can find compassionate and skilled legal representation when they need it the most.

We started our law firm in 1985, seeking to build a tradition of service. Today, our team of attorneys and dedicated office staff work tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people all over Ohio. If you are struggling to make ends meet due to a disability, don’t just wonder about your rights and options. Instead, call or reach us online to schedule a confidential case review with one of our knowledgeable disability lawyers. You may be surprised to learn how many options are available to you.

Our consultations carry no obligation, and we offer them free of charge. Additionally, we will accept a fee only if we are able to help you and your family to obtain Social Security benefits. Get in touch with us today to learn more.