Signs You Will Be Approved for Disability in WI: Do You Have a Strong Case?

When you’re hurt or sick, can’t work and need financial help, you’re on an emotional roller coaster. It’s normal to feel scared, angry, unsure and confused about what to do next.

Applying for Social Security Disability benefits is something you can do to get hope for relief, but it also comes with unknowns and long waits that leave you wondering what’s in store for your future.

You want to know: Do I have a strong case for disability benefits? How can I tell if I’ll be approved for disability?

The Wisconsin disability attorney team at Geary Disability Law has walked thousands of people through cases just like yours.

We know what it takes to win benefits. Signs that you have a chance of being approved for disability benefits in Wisconsin can start before you even fill out the first line on your Social Security Disability application.

If you clearly meet the eligibility requirements, you may be approved—but you still have to go through a challenging process with no guarantees.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss five signs that set you up to qualify for Social Security Disability.

Sign #1: You Paid Enough into Social Security

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits are designed for workers who have to stop working due to health problems.

At a minimum, you must have 40 credits to be eligible. You can earn up to four a year. And you must have earned at least 20 of those credits in the last 10 years.

The higher your earnings when you worked, the higher your ultimate monthly disability benefit payments may be.

Sign #2: You Can’t Keep Working, or Do Another Job

Social Security has three basic benchmarks to prove you can’t work or participate in what it calls “substantial gainful activity.” They are:

1) You can’t do the job you have.

2) You can’t do another job, including sedentary work (with more flexibility if you’re over 50. See below.)

3) Your medical conditions will keep you out of work for at least a year.

Sign #3: You Have Strong Medical Evidence

Social Security will want a lot of details about your health. If your condition appears in Social Security’s list of eligible impairments, you can follow their guidelines about medical reports and evidence you should provide.

Even if your diagnosis isn’t on the list, the impact of individual symptoms on your work life may be enough to prove your case.

The key is to gather all the medical information you can, including:

• • Doctor’s reports
  • Treatment plans
  • Medications
  • X-rays, MRIs, and lab test results
  • Diagnosis records
  • Outpatient care records
  • Hospital stays

  Sign #4: You’re over 50

  You’re more likely to win Social Security Disability benefits if you’re 50 or older.

  Social Security recognizes that as you age fewer jobs may be physically possible or open to you. It may be harder to retrain for other jobs and switch to new lines of work at this stage in your work history.

  Even though qualifying for Social Security Disability usually requires you to be nearly completely unable to work in any capacity, the rules say if you’re over 50 and could do some sedentary work, you still can win disability benefits.

  Sign #5: You Kept Up with Your Treatment

  If you can show that you did all that you could to get better and still can’t work, Social Security will see your condition as chronic and could be more willing to award benefits.

  Failing to continue your care, especially around mental health conditions, is a common reason many cases are denied.

  Working with a Social Security Disability Lawyer

  Your disability attorney can help you show Social Security that you meet its requirements for disability benefits.

  Your attorney can’t control what Social Security does. And it’s not a requirement to have a disability lawyer when you apply for benefits or appeal a denial.

  But there are many reasons you might want a lawyer:

  • • To reduce the work and stress that falls on you
    • To guide you in answering Social Security’s questions effectively, such as making sure your Work History Report is thorough
    • To identify if you have any special circumstances that add support to your claim
    • To have the confidence of knowing your claim is being handled by professionals who do this for a living

    Geary Disability Law has won benefits for thousands of people in Wisconsin.

    We would be happy to discuss your claim with you and whether your case shows signs that you might be approved for disability benefits. The  conversation is always free.

    You don’t pay any fee to a disability attorney until you’ve won your case.

    Talk to Geary Disability Law today.

    Disclaimer: Blog entries are not intended to be a substitute for actual legal advice. It is important for a representative to understand the specific facts and circumstances of your case before they can provide you actual legal advice. If you have questions about your Social Security Disability benefits, please contact a qualified representative to discuss your case.

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