If you are unable to work for a period of 12 months or more, you may be eligible for Social Security disability (SSD) benefits. You must have worked 20 of the 40 quarters before you became unable to work. If you have not built up enough quarters, then you may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

You may apply for Social Security benefits on-line at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

You may also go to your local Social Security office and apply in person. You should be prepared to furnish the names, addresses, and dates of service for all recent medical history, and to describe your work history for the past 15 years.

Social Security will then gather your information and forward it to the Disability Determination Services (DDS), who will then decide whether you meet Social Security criteria.

If your claim is denied, you have 60 days to appeal that denial. You should then contact your attorney immediately. If your claim is denied again, you should make sure your attorney has a copy of the notice, because an appeal of that denial must be filed within 60 days of that second denial.

As your attorney, I request a hearing on your behalf before an administrative law judge (ALJ), and it will be 18 to 24 months before a hearing is held. Under some unusual circumstances, I am able to obtain a decision on the record earlier than two years, but you should be prepared for a long wait.

If you are unable to work, but you have worked less than 20 of the past 40 quarters, you may be eligible for SSI. You may own your own home, and a vehicle that you use for personal transportation, but generally you may not have more than $2,000 ($3,000 for a married couple) in liquid resources to qualify.

Social Security benefits can be very confusing. Please feel free to call me at (503) 236-0068, and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

There is no fee for this consultation, or for any work I do on your behalf, unless I am successful in obtaining benefits for you.