Tucked away in the southern part of West Virginia is the 9.5 square mile city of Beckley. Home to the Beckley Exhibition and the Tamarack, this city of roughly 18,000 people is rich in culture and community.
While Beckley has a vibrant workforce, not all individuals living in Beckley can work. Some Beckley residents face both physical and financial challenges as a direct result of a chronic health condition. Thankfully, there are resources available to those people who are unable to perform any gainful employment in Beckley. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has established disability programs aimed at assisting those who are unable to work as a result of a serious illness or injury.
Health Resources for Individuals Living in Beckley
Performing well at work can be challenging on a good day. For those individuals plagued by a sudden new health diagnosis or a chronic health condition, going to work may not even be a possibility. Even if an individual is able to push through pain or discomfort and make it to work, their medical treatments may impede their ability to be a reliable employee.
The federal government has two distinct programs that were developed to assist individuals who are unable to work as a result of a long-term disability. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is available to people with low incomes who have limited work experience. The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is available to those people who have paid taxes into the program by working enough hours throughout their lives.
Even if one has a solid work history, they may not qualify for SSDI benefits. The SSA follows strict guidelines as outlined in their medical guide, the Blue Book, to determine which individuals are sick enough to earn a financial award for their disability. To even be considered for a disability award, one must provide substantial evidence in the form of medical records.
The SSA will turn to the records and opinion of your medical providers to determine the severity of your illness. Further, the SSA will want to review your medical records over time. Therefore, it is essential that you have established a strong working relationship with your health care providers. Your doctor will know your case well, and therefore appointments with your doctor on a regular basis will enhance your claim.
There are many excellent health care providers in Beckley. If you are not yet working with a doctor in the area, here are three established practices that may be of assistance to you:
Beckley Primary Care
321 Dry Hill Road
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 250-0142
beckleyprimarycare.com
Primary Care Plus
124 Brookshire Lane
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 255-9205
primarycarepluswv.com
Stanaford Medical Clinic
451 Stanaford Road
Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 256-8227
stanafordmedicalclinic.com/index.html
Applying for Social Security Disability in Beckley
Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be a complicated process. The first step of the process involves determining if you are eligible for benefits. It’s important to note that only about one-third of applicants are initially approved for SSDI benefits.
Frequently, SSDI claims are denied due to insufficient medical evidence. Sometimes doctors’ offices have not submitted your medical records. Other times, important medical tests or procedures are missing from your file. It may be helpful for you to review the Blue Book with your doctor prior to applying. Together, you can determine if all of the required medical information has been gathered. Upon reviewing the Blue Book, your doctor may want to order additional tests or procedures.
Disability benefits are intended for those individuals who are considered permanently disabled. As such, your doctor must confirm that your health condition is severe enough to prohibit you from working for at least a year.
There are three distinct ways to apply for SSDI benefits. Most individuals prefer to complete an online application. However, you can also submit an application via the mail or in person by visiting a Social Security office around the Beckley area. Here are three offices close by:
Mount Hope Social Security Office 25801
5475 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Suite A-8
Mount Hope, West Virginia 25801
(800) 772-1213
Beckley Social Security Office 25801
307 Beckley Crossing
Beckley, West Virginia 25801
(800) 772-1213
Charleston Social Security Office 25301
500 Quarrier Street
Charleston, WV 25301
(800) 772-1213
Can a Social Security Lawyer Help Me Win My Claim in Beckley?
As you have probably gathered, winning a Social Security disability claim is not an easy task. The application itself is complex. Even if you’ve navigated the application successfully, the appeals process is equally challenging.
Many individuals choose to hire an experienced disability attorney to help increase the chances of success. Social Security lawyers know how to gather the evidence and records needed to win your claim. After reviewing your documentation, they can determine if you have a case. More, disability attorneys are only paid if you win your claim.
