Durham Social Security Disability Resources
If you have suffered an injury that prevents you from working for at least twelve months, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits in Durham, NC. The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays disability benefits to eligible workers who can prove that their disability is severe enough to prohibit gainful employment.
When you are first injured, it is very important that you seek qualified medical attention. Your Durham Social Security Disability case will depend heavily on the documentation in your medical files. Once you submit your application to the local SSA field office, your application will be sent to the North Carolina Disability Determination Services (DDS), a federally-funded organization that reviews Social Security Disability cases and makes decisions that the SSA uses to determine if you can receive Durham Social Security Disability benefits. If there is enough medical evidence in your case file to support your disability claim, the DDS will make a determination in your favor and send your Durham Social Security disability file back to the local North Carolina field office. If there is not enough evidence in your file to support your claim, your request for benefits may be denied.
In the state of North Carolina, only about 25% of initial disability claims are awarded. If your application is denied, you have the option to request a reconsideration within 60 days of receiving the determination letter. Beware, more than 90% of appeals are denied. If your claim is denied a second time, you have the opportunity to appeal once more and request that your case be brought before an administration law judge at a hearing. The Raleigh, NC hearing office which reviews second appeals in Social Security Disability cases from Durham has an award rate of 50.1%.
Durham Health Care Resources
In order to make a decision on your Durham Social Security Disability case, the DDS reviews both your application and your medical records, which are requested from your treating physician. That is why it is so important that you get the medical attention you need to document your disability and any related treatments you may be undergoing. You can never have too much information available. But too little information could cause your Durham Social Security Disability claim to be denied.
If you do not have access to medical care, there are free and low-cost health facilities in Durham that can serve you.
Samaritan Health Center
507 E. Knox St.
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 688-9641 x 5060
Mariam Clinic
3126 Blue Ridge Rd
Raleigh, NC 27612
(919) 824-4672
Lyon Park Clinic
1313 Halley St.
Durham, NC - 27707
(919) 536-4205
Lincoln Community Health Center
1301 Fayetteville St.
Durham, NC - 27707
919-956-4000
Mental Health Resources in Durham
Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you are suffering from a mental illness that has prevented you from working, you may qualify for Durham Social Security Disability benefits. The resources below can help to connect you with a Durham mental health professional.
The Durham Center
414 East Main Street, Second Floor
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 560-7200
Durham Supplemental Social Security Benefits
Disabled individuals living in an adult care home in the state of North Carolina can qualify to receive state supplemental benefits of up to $554 per month (or up to $887 per month for special care units) in addition to the Federal Social Security Disability benefit. The monthly Federal Social Security Disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple.
When to Find a Durham Social Security Disability Attorney
Trying to manage your finances and stay afloat while dealing with a severe disability can be difficult. Often people don’t seek the advice of a professional until after their Durham Social Security Disability claim has been denied.
A Durham Social Security Disability attorney has experience working with the SSA and may be able to expedite your case. Disability attorneys usually provide free initial consultations and typically don’t charge you a fee unless they win your case. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from past due benefits or through a fee petition. The maximum an attorney can collect is $6,000.
For a free evaluation of your case contact a Durham, NC Disability Attorney.
