Qualify For Social Security Disability In Yakima And All Across Central Washington

Monthly checks from Social Security Disability could be a financial lifesaver. First, you have to meet Social Security’s qualifications.

What It Takes To Win Disability Benefits

You know you can’t work because of bad health. Monthly checks from Social Security Disability could be a lifeline for your budget – and your dignity.

But those facts alone don’t guarantee that Social Security will award you benefits. This may be due to insufficient documentation or errors in filling out forms.

Social Security is a massive government agency with thousands of rules, a strict definition of “disability,” a complex legal system to decide who gets benefits and an even more stressful appeals process.

The attorneys at Bothwell Hamill & Sutton, PLLC, are not just advocates but skilled disability lawyers who know how to navigate this system for you.

If you’re wondering whether you qualify for disability benefits, we’ll evaluate your application for free as well as help you prepare for any disability hearings.

Social Security has some basic conditions to decide if your disability qualifies for benefits:

• You worked and have a substantial record of paying into the Social Security system.
• Because of health problems, you cannot continue in your job.
• You also cannot switch to another job.
• Your medical conditions have lasted or will last, at least a year – or eventually lead to death.

If you can’t work, let us go to work to get you benefits.

Do I Have A “Disability” According To Social Security?

You can ask five questions to get a good idea of whether you qualify:

• Am I working? You have to be off the job and no longer earn substantial income.
• Is my condition severe? Your health problem has to be serious enough that you can’t perform basic tasks from your last job.
• Is my condition listed by Social Security? Social Security maintains a list of qualifying health problems, but it’s possible to win benefits even if your condition isn’t on the list.
• Can I return to my old work? You may need to show Social Security that you wouldn’t be able to function in any job you’ve held for the past 15 years.
• Can I do another type of work? Social Security will also assess whether you could switch to a new line of work. Age, education and experience all factor into this decision.

As people age, it can become harder to adjust to new types of work. If you are 50 or older, your age may affect your disability case. Social Security has special rules for older workers. Our disability attorneys can explain how these rules might apply to you.

Does My Medical Condition Qualify For Benefits?

Just about any medical problem, if it’s severe enough to stop you from working, can qualify you for disability benefits. There are two main categories of qualifying conditions: physical and mental. At Bothwell Hamill & Sutton, PLLC, these are just some of the physical conditions we commonly see:

• Musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain or chronic pain, along with spinal injuries and even fibromyalgia
• Cardiovascular and respiratory issues like heart disease as well as lung disease
• Autoimmune and chronic diseases, including diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and also multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Other serious conditions that are cancer or hepatitis C, in addition to stroke and possibly edema