If you have sustained an injury that prevents you from performing the essential duties of your job for at least one year, you may qualify for Springfield social security disability. In order to qualify you have to be able to prove that your injury qualifies as a disability under the Social Security Act.
It is not difficult to apply for benefits. You can submit your application online or in person at a local Massachusetts Social Security Administration (SSA) field office. When you apply for benefits, the SSA will review your application to ensure you meet income, work credit and other eligibility requirements. The SSA may check your education, skill set, and work history to see if there are other jobs you can perform to earn at least $1,550 per month. Once the non-medical portion of the process is complete, the SSA will forward your application to the Massachusetts Disability Determination Services (DDS) where a trained disability examiner will review your medical records to determine if you do in fact suffer from a qualifying disability.
During the fourth quarter 2011, less than 40% of initial social security disability claims in the state of Massachusetts were awarded. If your claim is denied, you do have the right to request that your case be reconsidered. When that happens, the SSA will send your file back to the DDS to be reviewed by a second disability examiner. If your claim is denied a second time –nearly 80% of all SSD appeals in Massachusetts are denied – you can request that your Springfield social security disability case be heard by an administrative law judge out of the Springfield, MA hearing office. At the hearing level, nearly 50% of all social security disability claims are approved.
Health Resources in Springfield
The disability examiner at the DDS uses the medical information as provided by your treating physician. As well, an examiner may contact your school, employer, hospitals and other sources to gather information on your case. It is important that you are receiving medical attention for your injury throughout the course of your disability.
If you are denied SSD in Springfield because there is not enough information in your medical file to substantiate your disability claim, you will have a chance to submit any missing information during the reconsideration appeal. For assistance with free or reduced-cost health care in the Springfield area, there are several facilities which may be of service to you.
Annie's House
20 Wilbraham Ave.
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 747-5384
Baystate Brightwood Health Center
380 Plainfield St.
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) 794-4458
Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center
11 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 794-3710
Caring Health Center
1040 Main St.
Springfield, MA 01103
(413) 739-1100
Springfield Mental Health Resources
Your mental health is as important to your overall well-being as your physical health. If you are dealing with a mental illness that keeps you from being able to work a job, you may qualify for social security disability in Springfield. Get the help of a licensed mental health professional in the Springfield area.
Behavioral Health Services – Baystate Health
3300 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) 794-7035
Center for Human Development
332 Birnie Avenue
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) 739-3954
Springfield Supplemental Benefits
The monthly Federal social security disability benefit rate is $943 for an independent individual and $1,415 for a couple. The state of Massachusetts also provides a maximum state supplement (in addition to federal benefits ) of $114.39 per month to disabled adult recipients of federal social security benefits and $180.06 for disabled couples.
Your Springfield Social Security Disability Claim
Applying for social security disability in Springfield can be time-consuming. To expedite that process, consider hiring a Springfield social security disability attorney. Your SSD attorney may be able to help you to more easily navigate the process and keep you from making costly mistakes.
Many Springfield SSD lawyers will only charge a fee if they win your case. If they do win, their fees are distributed from past due benefits that become payable to you or through a fee petition. Current rates are 25% of the past due award amount, with a maximum fee of $6,000. If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click the "Free Disability Evaluation" link at the top of the page for your free case evaluation or to get more information about hiring a Springfield social security attorney.
