Social Security Disability Attorneys in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Social Security Disability benefits can be a lifeline for many injured and disabled workers right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our team of attorneys at the Law Offices of Jeff Martin understands the impact that a disability can have on your family and your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

If you or someone you love has suffered a disability that prevents them from working and earning income, you need the help of a Social Security Disability attorney to assist you with navigating the claims process and fighting for the desired outcome in your case.

Proving that you have a disability that qualifies for benefits can be complicated and stressful. At the Law Offices of Jeff Martin, our skilled and results-driven Social Security Disability attorneys are dedicated to helping clients understand their rights and work toward a successful outcome for their case. We represent disabled workers and their families in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Social Security Disability

There are two federal programs that provide monetary assistance to people with disabilities in the United States — Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Many people get confused about the differences between SSDI and SSI.

1. Social Security Disability Insurance — This program, which is commonly referred to as SSDI, is available to workers whose condition qualifies as a “disability.” SSDI benefits are also available to the disabled worker’s current or former spouse and children.

2. Supplemental Security Income — SSI benefits are only available to people with disabilities or those who are at least 65 years of age as long as their income and resources fall below the levels established by federal law.

While both programs are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the criteria for qualifying for SSDI and SSI are different.

Qualifying for Disability Benefits

If you become disabled and are unable to work and provide for yourself and your family, you might wonder, “What qualifies as a disability under federal law?” Social Security Disability benefits are not available to workers who suffer partial disability or short-term disability. These benefits are paid only to those who suffer a total disability.

According to the SSA’s website, the federal agency considers a worker to be “disabled” for the purposes of Social Security Disability rules if the worker:

1. Cannot perform the work they did before the disability

2. Cannot adjust to other work due to their injury or medical condition

3. Has a disability that has lasted or is expected to last for a minimum of 12 months or result in death

If your case does not meet the criteria above, you may not qualify for disability benefits.

Factors Considered in Determining “Disability”

The SSA uses the following step-by-step process when determining whether or not a person is eligible for disability benefits:

• If the person is not working, their application will be forwarded to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office to evaluate their medical condition.

• The applicant’s condition must be severe to qualify for disability benefits. In other words, it must significantly limit the person’s ability to do basic work-related activities, including sitting, standing, walking, and others, for at least a year.

• The applicant’s conditions must be found on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions or be severe enough to prevent them from performing any gainful work.

• The applicant’s condition prevents them from doing the work they did before the injury or condition.

• The applicant cannot do other work despite their impairments.

Your Right to Appeal

If you do not agree with the SSA’s decision on your claim, you may still succeed in appealing an SSDI denial. A skilled attorney could help you exercise your right to appeal to ask the SSA to look at your case again. At the Law Offices of Jeff Martin, we understand how the denial of a Social Security Disability claim can affect the disabled person and their family, especially if they rely on those benefits as their main source of income.