Disability Attorney in Northbrook, IL

Do you need help navigating the challenges of social security disability? Or has your claim been declined, and you need guidance on planning your appeal?

If you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from working and earning a living, you are entitled to Social Security income. However, although you deserve financial assistance, the process of getting that aid is complex and filled with bureaucratic hurdles.

Having a Northbrook lawyer or an Arlington Heights disability attorney by your side can ease the burden of navigating a disability claim.

At our disability law firm, our team brings over ten years of experience handling various types of disability cases. We are prepared to help you make your case stronger.

What is Social Security Disability?

Do you have a disability that partially or entirely prevents you from working? Then, you might be eligible to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

SSDI provides a monthly income to individuals with a disability, such as an illness or impairment, that prevents them from earning a salary. This disability benefit is tied to your work; therefore, to be eligible, the following circumstances must occur:

• You must be unable to work due to a disability.
• Your disability is expected to last at least one year.
• You contributed to the system through your taxes over your working years.

Our disability lawyers can help you meet those requirements and secure Social Security Disability Insurance benefits for you and your family.

What Is The Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance and SSDI?

Most people claiming disability assistance confuse SSDI with short and long-term insurance. The main difference between them is that SSDI is a federal program providing financial aid to citizens with long-term disabilities. On the other hand, short-term insurance and long-term insurance are founded by private insurance institutions, such as group coverage or an individual disability policy.

These are the main features of each private insurance:

• Short-term insurance: It covers disabilities that are expected to last no longer than a year. These programs are designed to aid workers protect their paychecks for a few weeks or months. Here are some usual reasons individuals file for short-term insurance:
  • Injury from an accident.
  • Surgery recovery.
  • Side effects of medications or medical procedures.
• Long-term insurance: This insurance covers illnesses or impairments that are expected to last over 12 months or are permanent. Some conditions that qualify for long-term private benefits include:
  • Heart disease.
  • Arthritis.
  • Mental illness.

The main differences between these private disability insurances and SSDI are:

• Founding source: SSDI is funded by workers’ taxes, while short-term insurance and long-term insurance can be employer-provided benefits or acquired privately.
• Application requirements: Both private insurance and SSDI require the claimant to file a claim and prove a disability. However, each program has its unique application steps and requirements.
• Disability definition: The SSA defines disability as any body or mind condition that prevents one from working or performing certain activities. Each private disability policy has unique criteria for determining eligibility for disability benefits.
• Elimination period: SSDI typically involves a lengthy process that takes an average of 5 months after filing a claim. STI has an elimination period of about 2 weeks, while LTI has a longer waiting period of between 60 and 180 days.
• Benefits granted: SSDI benefits are calculated based on your working credit record, while private policy benefits are a percentage of your salary.

Our disability lawyers serve Northbrook and nearby Highland Park claimants, helping them navigate Social Security disability benefits and receive fair compensation without delays.

What Conditions Qualify for Disability in Illinois

There are a large number of physical and mental conditions that make you eligible to receive disability insurance benefits. Those illnesses or impairments are grouped into 14 categories, including:

• Musculoskeletal disorders.
• Special senses and speech.
• Respiratory disorders.
• Cardiovascular system.
• Digestive system.
• Genitourinary disorders.
• Hematological disorders.
• Skin disorders.
• Endocrine disorders.
• Congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems.
• Neurological disorders.
• Mental disorders.
• Cancer (malignant neoplastic diseases).
• Immune system disorders.

If your disability falls under any of those 14 categories, including mental disorders, you are likely eligible for disability benefits from the SSA.

However, the application process can be cumbersome, and many applicants’ compensation cases are rejected. That’s where a Social Security disability attorney in Northbrook comes into play. Some steps and areas of the process can get tricky, making it difficult for a file claim to move forward. Having knowledgeable disability lawyers by your side increases your application’s chances of success.

What Are Veteran Disability Benefits?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays monthly tax-free insurance to veterans who have a disability or made a previous illness worse while serving in the U.S. military. This program was created to help individuals who fought for their country and today face the consequences of their sacrifice.

These are the criteria veterans must meet to receive disability benefits programs:

• Medical Condition: You have a physical or physiological illness or injury (referred to as “condition”).
• Service Requirements: You served in the military on active duty, training activity, or inactive duty training.
• Connection Between Disability and Service: To be granted a VA disability aid, at least one of these assumptions must be true:
  • You got injured or developed your disability while on duty, serving in the military.
  • You had a previous illness or health condition that worsened due to your service in the U.S. military.
  • You have a condition related to your active duty in the military that didn’t appear until after you ended your services.
• Disability Rating: The Department of Veteran Affairs will grant you a disability rating from 0% to 100%. You will receive a lower or higher score based on the severity of your service-connected condition. Higher scores represent more significant impairments and qualify veterans for greater compensation.

The VA estimates that it takes an average of three months for them to review your claim and give you their verdict. However, some applications may take longer, even years. The waiting period depends on the type of file you placed, the severity of your condition, and the required proof and information the VA needs to determine the case.

A seasoned VA disability lawyer will help you gather the necessary evidence to win your case, deal with complicated paperwork, file the case for you, and attend a hearing if the procedure comes to it. Besides that, at the end of the process, disability lawyers ensure the rating the veteran has been granted is accurate with their condition, and they receive fair compensation.

Contact A Professional Northbrook Disability Lawyer

Are you swamped trying to figure out each step of your security disability insurance claim? The process can be overwhelming and complex, but experienced disability attorneys are well aware of its ins and outs and the insurance companies’ tricks.

Hiring a disability attorney in Northbrook can put you one step closer to receiving your disability insurance benefits. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any inquiry you have; we are always happy to help.

Schedule a free evaluation.