SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY & Supplemental Security Income

The Attorneys of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire are committed to getting people the SSDI or SSI benefits they need. We have over 25  years of experience helping people in Denver and the surrounding parts of Colorado. 

We will put forth every effort to see that you get the benefits you need to maintain your quality of life despite an injury or illness that prevents you from working. Our success rate in SSDI means we know how to get results. We have helped countless people through the system. Our team knows how to navigate the endless amounts of red tape and bureaucracy between you and the benefits you need. Having handled these cases many times, we understand what the administrative law judges look for when we appeal an SSDI denial. We know the specific habits, and we know the guidelines that they follow. At the outs of your case, we will design a legal strategy with these things in mind. We will gather medical records and testimonies to strengthen your case. Attorneys Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire will present a strong case in an administrative law hearing. We can stand by your side to pursue additional steps if you are denied at the hearing. We are here to observe your rights under SSDI law.  

Tom and Darla both work in the same field. They get to know each other through a community organization. Recently, they both suffered severe injuries. Darla’s was the result of being hit by a car while on a walk—Tom’s resulted from falling from his roof while putting on new shingles. Darla was surprised that her SSDI claim was denied while Tom’s was accepted, even though the only real difference in their situation is that Tom is 15 years older. Does Darla have any options? At Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire, we will not only help Darla understand why she was initially denied, but we will also help her understand the additional action she can take.  

Our attorneys are committed to SSDI law. We frequently lecture on the topic, sharing our knowledge with other professionals. This level of understanding is what we bring to every case. 

There is a lot of confusion between the Social Security  Administration’s two disability benefits programs: Social Security  Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you have questions about the difference between SSDI and SSI and which one makes the most sense in your case, you are not alone. 

At Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire, we can answer your questions and help you pursue benefits through the program that is right for you.  

The critical distinction between SSDI and SSI is eligibility. The first criterion that must be met for both programs is that you must be disabled and unable to work. To qualify for SSDI benefits, however, you must also meet criteria related to your work history. To get SSDI benefits, you must have earned sufficient work credits before becoming disabled. In other words, you must have worked for a certain period of time and contributed some of your income to  Social Security. Only after earning the required work credits are you considered insured under SSDI and eligible for benefits. SSI, on the other hand, is regarded as a low-income program. You are not required to work for any time before becoming disabled. You will only be eligible for these benefits with limited income and assets.  

The number of benefits offered through SSDI and SSI also differs. The amount of money you could receive in SSDI benefits is based on your lifetime earnings. This is substantially more than what SSI benefits offer for most people. The amount of money you could receive in SSI  benefits is set by law and could be impacted by other income you receive.  

Social Security disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits exist to help people who are unable to work due to illness or injury. You have the right to use them. At Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire, we are committed to protecting your Social Security disability rights and working hard to ensure that you get the benefits you need to move forward with your life. 

When we take a case, we have every intention of getting results. We work hard to ensure that your Social Security disability rights are observed. That dedication has allowed us to achieve an amazing success rate in cases involving SSDI and SSI  claims. The right to obtain Social Security disability benefits hinges on the amount of time you have spent in the workforce. The time you have spent working translates into credits, which determine whether and how much you can receive. 

Your right to receive Supplemental Security Income differs from your  Social Security Disability rights. These benefits are more flexible and do not necessarily require specific amounts of time spent in the workforce. However, the benefits are often not as substantial as SSDI's. 

Our lawyers will work with you to see that you understand your rights under Social Security disability law.

John used to manage a warehouse. While working in his home, he fell from a ladder and suffered severe injuries that prevented him from returning to work. John went to a doctor who does disability evaluations. The doctor agreed that John was disabled. However, after months of waiting, John's application for SSDI was declined. Is there anything he can do now? The lawyers of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire can help people like  John see that their Social Security disability rights are observed. 

When you choose us, you will get personal attention from an attorney who cares about you. Whether you suffered a work injury, were a car accident victim, or suffered any other illness or injury that interferes with your ability to work, we will stand by your side. 

Most people do not think about disability until confronted with the inability to work. Often, individuals have maintained regular careers up until a specific point, such as a car accident or workplace accident. When faced with the inability to work regularly and subsequent loss of income, the prospects can seem frightening.  

The Social Security Administration operates two programs to provide disabled individuals with financial assistance: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Though often confused as the same due to similarities, these programs are very different in nature and purpose. Both programs require proof of severe disability and the inability to return to regular, full-time employment. However, Social Security disability benefits are intended to provide financial assistance for workers who have paid sufficient Social Security taxes. Supplemental Security Income is intended to provide financial assistance for lower-income individuals who do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI benefits.   

At Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire, we represent the interests of those seeking financial benefits through the SSDI or SSI systems. Our legal team is available to answer questions, work with personal physicians, and assist through every step of the filing process.     

Countless  Social Security Disability claims result in denials. That does not mean a denied disability claim is not legitimate. You do not have to accept a denial. 

The attorneys of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire can stand by your side to appeal the decision and help you get the benefits you need. If you or a loved one has had a Social Security Disability claim denied, we are here for you. Since 1982, the law firm of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire has helped people who cannot work due to injury or illness. We can stand beside people in Denver and the surrounding parts of Colorado. When you choose us, you can be assured that you will have an experienced attorney from start to finish. Your case will not be passed around the office. We will be here for you when you need us. 

The Social Security Administration (SSA) may give a wide range of reasons for denial of an SSDI or SSI claim, including:   

• Injury or illness does not meet their criteria for a disability
• Not enough work credits
• Insufficient medical evidence of disability

No matter what reason you were given for your denied SSD claim, we can help. We will make every effort to ensure that your rights are observed and that you get what you deserve. How Do I Appeal a Denied Disability Claim? 

Understanding why your claim was denied is the first step to appealing the SSA’s decision. The next step involves ensuring the information presented to the SSA is as thorough and detailed as possible. Our attorneys have in-depth research and writing skills, a key element in any appeal process. We ensure our clients’ paperwork is complete and accurate, and the evidence they use to support the claim does that. We review the filing process to ensure deadlines are met and will be met during the appeal. Perhaps most importantly, we investigate the details surrounding our clients’ medical conditions by speaking with medical professionals, occupational experts, and financial analysts who can provide insight into the full scope of our client’s needs.

 In many cases, compounding factors, like one disability that coincides with another impairment, are what make the difference between an accepted and denied claim. We can ensure that no key information is overlooked.  

Due to an injury sustained in a severe truck accident, Harlan could no longer continue working at his job as a roofer. He sent in a  Social Security Disability claim and was denied. A few months later, he found out he could appeal the decision. He was told that the 60 days he had to appeal had expired, and he now needed to start again. In the meantime, he is having difficulty paying his bills. What should he do now? The attorneys of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire take great care to ensure that critical deadlines are met in cases like Harlan’s. We know what to do after SSDI claims denials. 

Our team’s hard work in Social Security Disability claims cases has earned us a 90 percent success rate for our clients. We want to make you one of our successes.  

Many people misunderstand Colorado Social Security law and their rights. At Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire, our attorneys are committed to removing those misunderstandings. We are here to educate you about how SSDI or SSI can benefit you.  

The help we provide starts by providing the information you need to understand Colorado Social Security law. We will clarify most misunderstandings, including those related to:   

• What the Social Security Administration considers a disability
• The difference between SSDI and SSI
• The relationship between a person’s age and their ability to get SSDI or SSI
• What documentation does the Social Security Administration need to see to provide SSDI or SSI
• How Medicare and Medicaid relate to SSDI and SSI
• Whether SSDI or SSI is based on a person’s  ability to continue in the current line of work or on the ability to  obtain an alternate form of employment

We will provide the knowledge you need to make educated decisions as we proceed with your case.  

Tina used to work as an electrician. Recently, she lost the use of her legs in a car accident. She is no longer able to pursue her work for the last decade. Her application for benefits was denied.  She was told that the information provided does not indicate that she cannot pursue a job in an alternate field. Can she still obtain benefits under Colorado Social Security law? The lawyers of Sullivan Sullivan and McGuire are dedicated to helping people like Tina get the answers they need to understand SSDI and SSI.  

You deserve personal attention, and we are prepared to provide it. At the outset of your case, we will learn about how your injury or illness has impacted your life and your ability to work. We will learn about your goals. As we move forward, we will only move in the direction that is right for you.