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Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income

Content Reviewed by: A. Parker Trotz
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Memphis Lawyers Representing Claimants for Government Benefits

People who have very little income or assets and/or people who have worked in jobs covered by Social Security qualify for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits if they develop a medical condition that meets the appropriate criteria. These are monthly benefits paid to people who are expected to be out of work for an entire year or are unable to work for a year or longer. These benefits can last until they have medical improvement that allows them to return to work or reach their full age of retirement. Although these benefits are supposed to help injured and ill claimants, many people find the process daunting, and it is not uncommon to have a legitimate claim initially denied. Legal representation from an injury lawyer may make a big difference in these cases. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our Memphis Social Security Disability attorneys have over 30 years of experience in guiding people in Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Missouri through the process of seeking benefits. Our phones are answered 24/7, and we are available to meet with you at a location of your choice.

Seeking Social Security Disability Benefits or Supplemental Security Income

Social Security Disability benefits are only paid to people who are not able to work due to suffering from severe medical conditions. Under the Social Security Act, a claimant is disabled if they cannot engage in any substantial gainful activity because of a medically verifiable mental or physical impairment that is anticipated to end in death, that has lasted continuously for at least 12 months, or is likely to last that long. The Social Security Administration (SSA) follows a specific five-step process when analyzing whether to grant benefits to a claimant.

The first step of the analysis is the question of whether you are working at or above a substantial gainful activity level. This level changes each year, and if your earnings are greater than the level for that year, you will not be found disabled, and your claim will be rejected. If you are not working, or your earnings fall below the substantial gainful activity level, the SSA adjudicator will move on to analyze the second step.

The second step looks at whether you have a medically verifiable mental or physical impairment or a combination of them that is so severe and long-lasting that it interferes with your basic work activities. The impairment needs to have lasted or be expected to last 12 months or lead to your death.

At the third step, the adjudicator examines whether your impairment meets or equals the severity of one of the listed impairments. For this step, the SSA looks at the medical criteria listings that it maintains, which are impairments that are so severe that you are considered disabled if you have any of them or have an equally severe version of them. You will be considered disabled if your condition meets the criteria of a listing. If it does not, the adjudicator will analyze your residual functional capacity, which measures your ability to do full-time work. This analysis comprises steps four and five.

The fourth step looks at whether you can do any of your past relevant work. If you can, you will be denied. If you cannot, the adjudicator moves to step five, which looks at your work experience, education, and age to see if you can adjust to any other work. If you cannot, you will be found disabled and eligible for benefits.

Supplemental Security Income for Children

A child under age 18 may qualify for benefits if that child has a medical condition or conditions that prevent that child from functioning like other healthy children of their same age.

Consult a Social Security Disability Attorney in Memphis or Beyond

If you have become disabled, our Memphis Social Security Disability lawyers are ready to help you navigate the process of asserting your right to government benefits. At Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz, our 30 attorneys and over 100 staff members provide representation to claimants in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo, Columbus, Grenada, Starkville, Oxford, Hayti, and Caruthersville, among other communities in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kentucky. Contact our office toll-free by calling 800-529-4004 or by completing our online form to set up your free appointment. We also represent people who need a workers’ compensation attorney or representation in a personal injury claim. Let us explain to you why NST is the way to go.

Memphis Office

Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz Personal Injury Attorneys
488 S. Mendenhall Road
Memphis, TN 38117
Phone: 901-683-7000
Hours Available: Call 24/7

Our Memphis Offices
Main Memphis OFFICE

488 S. Mendenhall Road Memphis, TN 38117

Phone: 901-683-7000

Fax: 901-462-3350

Whitehaven Office

4466 Elvis Presley Blvd

Suite 143
Memphis, TN 38116

Phone: 901-300-2400
Fax: 901-462-3350

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Client Successes
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Content Reviewer Box for A. Parker Trotz with his awards and credentials