Applying for SSD Benefits

Memphis Bankruptcy, Social Security Disability & Long Term Disability Attorney

Memphis Disability Benefits Attorney

In Tennessee, approximately 5.7 percent of state residents receive disability benefits and thousands more apply every year. For many, their Social Security Disability is what keeps food on the table and a roof over their heads throughout the duration of their disability. However, the Social Security Administration is quite strict with its application standards, and many applicants have to apply a few times before successfully acquiring their benefits. In fact, the average disability application denial rate hovers around 75 percent.

It is, therefore, critical to get an experienced social security attorney when applying for SSD benefits. Disability attorney John E. Dunlap boasts more than 20 years of experience helping thousands of individual with their SSD benefits in the Memphis area. Before applying for your SSD benefits, contact John E. Dunlap to help build a stronger case.

Requirements For Disability in Tennessee

The foundational requirement for SSD benefits in Tennessee is the existence of a medical condition (physical, mental, or both) that eliminates the ability to work and earn a substantial and gainful income. Additionally, you need to have previously worked in jobs covered by Social Security, though there are exceptions to this for children under 18.

According to the Social Security Administration, some other of their requirements include:

  • You’re unable to do the work that you did before the disability
  • You cannot adjust to other work due to your medical condition
  • Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death

Proving Evidence For the Case

If you meet the requirements for disability in Tennessee, the next step is to prove evidence related to the case. This information is requested in the disability application, but you should always consider giving more medical and nonmedical evidence than is requested to build a stronger, more thorough case. For example, with regard to your job history, you should list all of your jobs from the past 15 years and include all job titles, the dates worked for each job, and the duties performed or each job.

With regards to your medical history, you need to include evidence of all diagnosed conditions, all sources of your medical treatment, the names and addresses of all hospitals where you were treated (which includes clinics and doctor’s offices), and the names of any physicians.

Contact the Leading Disability Attorney in Memphis — John E. Dunlap, P.C.

Like most states, the process of applying for SSD benefits will involve about three steps. The first step is the initial application, the second step is your appeal (a request for reconsideration), and the third step is a request for a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Throughout this process, disability attorney John E. Dunlap can make sure that you’re presented to the SSA in the best light possible. From preparing the initial application to, if applicable, taking the case to federal court, we’ll provide comprehensive legal guidance and aggressive representation.

Get the SSD benefits you deserve by calling disability attorney John E. Dunlap at  (901) 320-1603 today.