Missed a deadline, been denied, or unsure how to apply? Our Social Security Disability Insurance attorneys help people nationwide apply for disability benefits, pursue appeals, prepare for hearings, and move through every stage in between.
SSDI is a federal program, so you can work with us wherever you live in the U.S. Pinyerd Disability Law, LLC represents clients in all 50 states from offices in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland, and stays involved from your first call through the decision. We manage the Social Security Administration (SSA) paperwork, deadlines, medical evidence, and next steps while you focus on your health.
Talk with an attorney today and get a clear plan for your claim.
SSDI eligibility usually comes down to three questions:
Our Social Security Disability Insurance attorneys assess your medical records and work history together. We explain the strengths of your claim, flag potential problems, and identify any additional evidence you may need before filing.
Send us your medical records and work history before filing your initial application. An attorney will identify gaps, explain your options, and outline the next step.
Work credits are units you earn through wages or self-employment income. SSDI eligibility depends on your medical condition and your insured status, which is based on your work credits. The number of credits required depends on your age when your disability began.
Workers age 31 or older generally need 20 credits from the 10 years before disability, along with the total work history required for their age. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits under different rules. We compare your earnings record with the applicable requirements before you apply.
SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are separate programs with different rules, and some people qualify for both.
For SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration considers your work history, work credits, and medical condition. SSI benefits are instead based on limited income and resources. We review your medical records, work history, income, and resources to help you understand which Social Security benefits may be available to you.
| Comparison | SSDI | SSI |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Work history, work credits, and disability | Financial need and disability |
| Work credits | Required; requirements vary by age | Not required |
| Income and resources | No asset limit | Strict limits apply |
| Monthly amount | Varies by earnings record | Up to $994/month for an individual, as of 2026 |
SSDI does not have a fixed monthly amount. Your benefit is based on your earnings record and work history. Our attorneys can help you understand how those factors affect your potential benefit.
If you are unsure which application to file, we can explain your options, help you plan the next steps, and answer questions about receiving both benefits.
During an initial consultation, our attorneys review where you are in the process, your medical condition, your work history, and any denial notice or SSA correspondence. We then explain the available options, the documents to gather, and the next step for your claim.
SSDI eligibility turns on how a physical or mental condition affects your ability to work, how long those limitations are expected to last, and whether the medical record supports them.
Your diagnosis is the starting point. We assess the limitations documented in your treatment history, how they affect daily activities and job duties, and what evidence may be missing.
Examples of conditions that may affect a person's ability to work include:
These examples are illustrative. Diagnoses and combinations of conditions vary widely, so we assess the functional limitations and supporting medical evidence in each claim. Send us your records, your doctor's notes, and a description of the work you can no longer do, and we will help you understand how your condition may affect your claim. The process is the same whether you are pursuing disability benefits in Ohio or in any other state.
A claim may involve more than one condition, such as chronic pain alongside depression or anxiety. The SSA considers the combined effect of medically supported limitations and how they affect a person's ability to sustain work.
For mental health disability claims, the relevant evidence may involve concentration, persistence, social interaction, and adapting to changes or ordinary workplace demands. An early record review helps show whether the medical evidence captures those effects and whether the record has gaps that need attention.
Your treatment history should show the SSA how your condition limits your ability to work. We identify missing information, organize the supporting evidence, and address gaps that could weaken an application.
When appropriate, we may request additional records or functional evaluations. The result is a more complete, consistent account of your limitations.
If you are also pursuing veterans disability benefits, we can handle both claims under one roof.
Your attorney stays with you throughout the process, helping you understand where your claim stands, build the evidence, prepare for each stage, and present your case. You always know who is handling your file.
Several members of our team have worked inside the Social Security system, advising Administrative Law Judges and handling appeals and hearings. That experience gives us a direct view of how claims are evaluated and how to prepare yours.
David Pinyerd: Founded Pinyerd Disability Law, LLC and has represented people seeking disability benefits for more than twelve years.
Robert A. Morris: Spent nearly five years as an Attorney Advisor for the Social Security Administration's Office of Hearings Operations, advising Administrative Law Judges on disability claims.
James Barker: Worked as an appeals analyst and attorney advisor in the SSA's hearing and appellate operations.
You do not need to live near one of our offices to work with us. We represent SSDI clients across the country by phone and video, and you stay connected to the same attorney and support staff from start to finish. If you prefer to meet in person, consultations are available by appointment at our offices in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland.
Office/ Address
Indianapolis, Indiana
9201 N. Meridian Street, Suite 210
Chicago, Illinois
875 N Michigan Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio
9701 Brookpark Road
An initial denial gives us a specific decision to examine. Our Social Security Disability Insurance attorneys review the denial notice, explain the available options, and help you file the next request.
The notice usually gives you 60 days to request reconsideration or a hearing. We track that deadline and help you move to the next stage.
Your attorney answers your questions, explains what comes next, and provides direct representation through the hearing process. The process works the same way whether you meet with our Chicago disability attorneys in person or work with us remotely from another state.
Whether you are filing for the first time or responding to a denial, our Social Security Disability Insurance attorneys handle Social Security claims nationwide from offices in Indianapolis, Chicago, and Cleveland.
Book a call with us and tell us where your claim stands. There is no upfront fee. An attorney will review the details, explain your options, and outline the next step. You can decide how to proceed after the conversation.
The lawyer assigned to your claim remains your point of contact from the initial consultation through the final decision. They review your situation, help gather medical evidence, communicate with the SSA, prepare you for hearings, and explain each major step in plain language. You know who is handling your claim and where to turn when questions arise.
Start by checking the date on your denial notice, because the deadline for reconsideration or a hearing is generally 60 days. An attorney can assess the reason for the decision, identify helpful medical evidence, and prepare the appropriate request. Send us the notice promptly so we can confirm the deadline and the next filing step.
Your age and recent work history help determine the number of credits required for SSDI. The SSA checks your earnings record against those requirements. We can review that record with you, explain how the rules apply, and identify documents that may help support an application before you take the next filing step.
Yes. SSDI uses your work history and work credits, while SSI considers limited income and resources. A person may meet the rules for both programs. We look at your medical records, earnings history, income, and resources to help you understand which benefits may be available and what to consider before applying for Social Security disability benefits.
Conditions that may support an SSDI claim include musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, and mental health conditions, as well as cancer and other serious illnesses. The diagnosis alone does not determine eligibility. The SSA considers how the condition affects your ability to work, how long it is expected to last, and the medical evidence in your file.
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