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Will Hiring Morgan & Weisbrod Speed Up My Social Security Disability Claim?

Hiring an attorney does not automatically speed up the Social Security disability application process, but there are ways that a Social Security disability attorney can make sure that your claim is not delayed. Our staff of attorneys, paralegals, legal secretarial assistants and legal clerks is dedicated to keeping your claim running smoothly.

We Can Make Sure There Are No Unnecessary Delays

Specifically, our Social Security disability attorneys can:

  • Save you time by doing the legwork for you. Necessary tasks such as obtaining medical records, special reports, and interrogatories can be very burdensome to you, but they are routine for us. We know what materials to ask for, how to ask for them, and how to ensure that they are received in a timely fashion.
  • Make sure that your initial application contains all of the relevant information. Many initial Social Security disability applications are denied for failing to meet specific requirements. Our experienced lawyers can help prevent this from happening to you by making sure that your application contains all relevant information in the required format. This will help your application be approved on the first try.
  • Monitor the status of your claim to make sure that it is being processed properly. Sometimes it is necessary to stay on top of the status of an application to make sure that it is being processed correctly.
  • File any necessary appeals within the required time limits. We will also make sure that your appeal is received and processed correctly by the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Additionally, we can answer all of your questions in a timely manner and make sure that you are well informed about the status of your case.

The SSA has professionals working hard on its behalf and you deserve the same advantage. To find out more about the difference a board certified Social Security disability lawyer can make for you, please read our FREE report, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know, or contact us directly via this website or by phone to schedule an initial consultation.

How Much Will I Receive In Social Security Disability Payments?

Once you are approved for Social Security disability, you will receive Social Security disability benefits beginning in the sixth full month after your disability began. Your monthly benefits will likely be directly deposited into your bank account.

What to Expect in Your Account

The amount that you receive each month is unique to you and is based on a complicated formula used by the Social Security Administration. The exact amount that you will receive will depend on your:

  • Average lifetime earnings before you became disabled
  • Other government provided disability benefits

In 2017, the average Social Security disability payment is $1,171 per month. However, it is important to note that many workers get more than or less than this average payment.

Social Security disability is not an entitlement program and your financial need should not be taken into account when determining the amount of your benefits.

Each year, the Social Security Administration considers cost of living adjustments according to a specific formula. Thus, at the beginning of each calendar year you may (or may not) see a small increase in your monthly deposits.

Make Sure You Get the Social Security Disability Benefits You Deserve

Our firm’s payment department exists solely to ensure the accurate payment of benefits to our clients. Many other law firms discontinue their services after you have won your case, but Morgan & Weisbrod continues to help clients even after claims are approved. We make sure that any benefits payable to you are computed and paid correctly.

We understand that your Social Security disability payments are important to you, that you’ve earned them, and that you depend upon them. Thus, we will do everything we can to help you get your initial application for Social Security disability benefits approved, to help you win an appeal if your application has been wrongly denied, and to make sure that you get the fair monthly benefits to which you are legally entitled.

To learn more about your rights, please download a free copy of our report, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Social Security Disability Lawyer?

You ask a good question. Before you can decide whether or not to hire a Social Security disability lawyer, you need to weigh the costs and benefits so that you can make an informed decision.

We Charge No Fees Unless We Are Successful

Our fees are governed by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, therefore, we charge no more than 25 percent of your back benefits, up to a maximum of $6,000, if we are successful. Because the fees are set by the SSA, it will not cost you more to be represented by an experienced Social Security disability attorney at our firm than it would cost you to be represented by a lay advocate who is not an attorney.

The Financial Consequences of Failing to Hire a Lawyer Can be Costly

The majority of Social Security disability applications are denied. The SSA requires very specific information to be provided in a very precise way by Social Security disability applicants. Any application that fails to meet the SSA’s requirements will be denied and the applicant will be unable to recover Social Security disability benefits even if the applicant has a disability that qualifies him for such benefits—unless the applicant is successful on appeal.

You risk nothing by hiring a board certified Social Security disability lawyer, but you risk quite a bit if you fail to hire an attorney to protect your rights. Without Social Security disability benefits, you may find it difficult to pay for your medical bills and living expenses.

You don’t have to take this risk. Instead, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no obligation consultation. We will review your case and give you information about how we can help you so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a board certified Social Security disability lawyer to protect your rights. For more information, please contact us via this website or by phone to schedule your free consultation.

How Can Morgan & Weisbrod Help Me With My Social Security Disability Claim?

We can help you get the benefits you deserve by assisting you in all aspects of your Social Security disability claim. The specific actions we take depend on where you are in the Social Security disability claims process.

Actions We May Take to Help You

Our experienced board certified attorney may help you:

  • Determine whether you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. You have to meet specific requirements in order to meet the definition of disability set forth by the Social Security Administration. Specifically, your disability must be permanent and you must have paid in to the Social Security system.
  • File an initial Social Security disability application. Many initial applications are deniedfor technical reasons. An attorney can help increase your chances of getting approval on your initial application.
  • Appeal a denial of Social Security disability benefits. This may include representing you at administrative hearings and filing appeals in federal court. In preparation for your appeal, we will explain what issues are most important and prepare you for the questions the judge is likely to ask. If your case goes to federal court, we will provide written and oral arguments to support your claim.
  • Get the monthly benefits you deserve. We won’t abandon you once your application has been approved or your appeal has been granted. Instead, we will make sure the monthly benefit being deposited into your bank account is the right amount.

Regardless of the specific stage of your Social Security disability claim, our attorneys can help you by reducing the stress you are under. You will no longer have to worry about whether your rights are being protected or about whether you are going to get the fair Social Security disability benefits you have worked for and deserve.

Instead, you will be able to trust that our board certified Social Security disability lawyers will protect your rights. To learn more, please read our free report, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know, or contact us directly to schedule a free consultation.

Can I Automatically Qualify For Social Security Disability Benefits If I Have Lymphoma?


In many cases, the answer to this question is “yes,” you can automatically qualify for disability benefits if you suffer from lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a condition that is listed in the Social Security Administration’s blue book of disability listings. This means that some patients may automatically be approved for disability benefits.

Common Lymphoma Symptoms

When lymphoma symptoms prevent patients from being able to support themselves financially, Social Security disability benefits can be a valuable lifeline. Examples of some of the more common symptoms of this condition include the following:

  1. Weight loss
  2. Fatigue
  3. Swollen lymph nodes
  4. Fever
  5. Anemia
  6. Weakness

Treatments for Lymphoma

Social Security disability benefits can also help lymphoma patients focus on their treatment rather than worrying about how they are going to pay their bills. Some of the treatments that victims may have to endure include the following:

  1. Radiation therapy
  2. Chemotherapy
  3. Surgical procedures
  4. Other biological therapies, such as interferon

Qualifying for Disability Benefits Due to Lymphoma

In order to qualify automatically for disability benefits as a result of lymphoma, your Social Security disability application should:

  1. Include a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
  2. Demonstrate that the lymphoma is aggressive, also known as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and that the aggressive lymphoma did not go away after an initial round of chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
  3. In the alternative, demonstrate that you suffer from indolent lymphoma, also known as mycosis fungoides or follicular small cleaved cell lymphoma that requires more than one chemotherapy or radiation treatment within a time period of one year.

It is also important to note that if your lymphoma required that you obtain a bone marrow transplant or a stem cell transplant, you can automatically qualify for disability benefits for a time period of one year.

As is the case with all Social Security disability eligibility determinations, your application must be complete in order to recover benefits.

If you are interested in learning more about Social Security disability benefits, we encourage you to view our free guide, Social Security Disability: What You Need to Know or to start a live chat with us at your convenience.

How Do I Check The Status Of A Pending Social Security Disability Claim?

It can take several months for your disability claim to be decided, and during that time you may have questions about the status of your claim. It is important to be proactive about tracking your Social Security disability claim as it moves through the system, but first you need to know how and why to do it.

How to Check the Status of a Social Security Disability Application

You can check the status of your Social Security disability claim by:

  • Calling the local Social Security Office and speaking with a disability claims representative.
  • Checking the status of your claim on the Social Security website.
  • Speaking directly with the disability examiner assigned to your case. This person likely works in the Texas Disability Determination Services (DDS) office.
  • Contacting your Social Security disability lawyer. Your attorney can make the appropriate calls to the SSA or DDS on your behalf and help you get the information you need.

You, or your lawyer, can usually get the most information by contacting DDS. When you call the DDS office, tell them you are calling to check the status of your application. The disability examiner will be able to tell you if your case is pending or if a decision has been made. If your claim is still pending, ask if there is any way you can help move the process forward. Remember not to say anything that could hurt your chances of obtaining Social Security disability benefits, and instead, keep any conversations with the SSA or DDS limited to the status of your case.

Why You Should Check the Status of a Social Security Disability Application

Now that you know how to check the status of your Social Security disability application, it is important to know why you should do so. You should check on your application’s status because:

  • Paperwork may get lost. It is possible that the paperwork for a Social Security disability benefits application was lost. When this happens, the case will not progress, and valuable time may be lost. In some cases, the applicant may even have to prepare and file an entirely new application. This occurs when the Social Security Administration determines that the appeal deadline was missed, even if that missed deadline was the fault of the SSA itself.
  • The Social Security Administration may fail to notify you that your claim has been denied. Applicants have only 65 days from the date on which the denial was issued to file an appeal. Naturally, it is extremely difficult to comply with this deadline if you are not aware that your claim was denied.
  • Contacting your claims examiner at the Disability Determination Services to inquire about the status of your case could potentially speed the matter along.

The approval of your claim may be just part of another workday for the government worker assigned to your case, but it is critically important to you, and the wait for an answer can be excruciating. If you are handling your claim yourself, on the day you file your initial claim or first appeal, make a note on a calendar to remind yourself to check the status of your claim in 30 days. That way you won’t forget to follow up on this important matter.

If you are working with a disability attorney, you should trust that your lawyer will stay on top of your claim. An experienced Social Security disability lawyer will already be in communication with your disability examiner and can keep you up to date on the status of your claim. It’s just one of the services a legal representative will provide for you. Call Morgan & Weisbrod at (214) 373-3761 today to learn more.

Do You Need Help Finding Medical Care For Your Disability?

If you are disabled and not working, finding adequate health insurance and medical care can be challenging if you are not covered by a spouse’s insurance plan. The cost may be prohibitive, but failing to get medical care can result in significant harm.

Know Your Options

While health insurance and medical care is expensive, it is important to understand your options so that you can get the health care you deserve. You may be able to afford medical care by:

  • Enrolling in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act
  • Visiting one of the 537 free clinics in Texas
  • Working out a payment plan with your doctor or hospital

Medical Care Is Important for Two Reasons

It is very important to any disability case to get regular treatment in order to have medical evidence which shows the severity of your condition. However, even more important than medical evidence is the pain relief or life-extending treatment that you might receive if you visit a doctor.

For these reasons, you should make every effort to find some way to get to a doctor to be treated so that you can protect your health and your potential Social Security disability claim now.

It is also important to keep in mind that if you are eligible for Social Security disability, you will also be eligible for Medicare beginning two years after your Social Security disability entitlement date—which may be sooner than two years from now. This can make a significant difference in the amount you pay for health care and can help ensure that you get the medical care you deserve.

Contact the Board Certified Attorneys at Morgan & Weisbrod today for further suggestions on how to get the medical care you deserve and how to protect your Social Security disability claim. We are available to you via this website or by phone at (214) 373-3761.

Can I Receive Social Security Disability In Texas If I Am Incarcerated Or If I Have A Criminal Record?

There are a number of serious consequences to committing crimes—and many people don’t realize that the extent of those consequences go beyond jail time and fines. In some instances, your criminal record or your criminal status could affect your ability to receive Social Security disability benefits.

How Your Criminal Record Could Impact Your Social Security Disability Benefits

Generally, you cannot receive Social Security benefits if you:

  • Currently have an outstanding warrant for your arrest for a felony
  • Are currently incarcerated for a felony
  • Are currently institutionalized by court order for a crime for which you were found not guilty due to insanity or for which you were found incompetent to stand trial
  • Became disabled while committing a crime for which you were convicted—or your disability became worse while committing a crime
  • Were injured or became disabled, or your disability became worse, while serving time for a felony. However, you may apply to receive benefits for this disability after being released from prison.
  • Committed the crime of fraud to obtain Social Security benefits or if someone in the Social Security Administration committed fraud on your behalf
  • Are violating a condition of your parole
  • Are violating a condition of your probation

But You Can Receive Social Security Disability Benefits in Some Cases

Specifically, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits if you:

  • Have a criminal record but you are not currently in prison for a felony and you are not currently wanted for a felony
  • Are incarcerated but participating in a rehabilitation program such as a work-release program, and if your release will take place in a reasonable amount of time
  • Are injured but are not convicted of the crime associated with the injury

We have all made mistakes. You may have paid the price for your mistakes and learned important lessons from these mistakes. In many cases, if you serve your time and follow the conditions of your probation or parole, your criminal past will not affect your ability to secure Social Security disability benefits. To learn more about your specific case, contact Morgan & Weisbrod today via this website for a free, confidential consultation.

If I Enter A Job Retraining Program, Does That Help Or Hurt My Disability Benefits Application?

If you have become disabled and are no longer able to work at your current occupation, it is important to know if job retraining will hurt your chances of receiving Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.

At Morgan & Weisbrod, LLP, our Social Security Disability attorneys advise clients to participate in job retraining programs if they are able to do so. In many cases, the approval or denial of your Social Security disability benefits comes down to the issue of whether or not you could perform some different kind of work than the jobs you had in the past.

Participating in a job retraining program through the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) may help establish that you are unable to perform any type of regular job. DARS may also pay for examinations and testing to help determine what kind of retraining would be suitable for you. This is valuable documentation that can help your SSDI application or appeal.

If you participate in a rehabilitation and job retraining program and you find out you are able to work, you will most likely make more money through employment than you would collect in Social Security disability benefits. In these cases, our disability benefits attorneys may still pursue payment of benefits for the time during which you were unable to work. Your chances of receiving these benefits may be enhanced because, in most cases, we will be asking for benefits for a year or two and not for the rest of your life.

If you have questions about receiving Social Security disability, please start a free live chat with us today.

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From offices in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, the Social Security Disability Claims attorneys of Morgan & Weisbrod, LLP help disabled people throughout Texas receive the disability benefits they deserve. Cities we serve include Tyler, Longview, Austin, El Paso, Lubbock, San Antonio, Waco, Amarillo, Bryan, College Station, Angleton, Galveston, Sugar Land, Beaumont, Arlington, Irving, Denton, McKinney, Plano, Carrollton, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and Abilene.

How Much Money Can You Earn Working If You Are Receiving Social Security Disability?

People who have applied for Social Security disability benefits as well as those currently receiving benefits may work—up to a certain limit. It can be beneficial financially and psychologically for people to work and earn money, even if it only amounts to a few hours of work a day or a couple hundred dollars a month.

And the Social Security Administration Allows It—Up to a Certain Point

That point is known as the point of substantial gainful activity (SGA). Very generally, substantial gainful activity is just a fancy way to say the word “work.” If you are unable to work at all, or if you are not able to work enough to earn a substantial amount of income, you are eligible for disability benefits. Taking a closer look, the Social Security Administration defines SGA as:

  • Work that involves significant and productive duties, and
  • Work that results in a certain monthly income.

The specific amount that you can earn changes regularly according to the national average wage index. In 2016, substantial gainful activity is a monthly income of $1130 for non-blind Social Security disability recipients and $1820 for blind Social Security disability recipients.

Social Security disability recipients who earn the SGA amount or more may no longer be considered disabled under the Social Security Administration rules. It is important to note that if you are performing services that the SSA values at the SGA amount or more, you may be disqualified from receiving benefits even if you do not receive wages for your work.

What If You’re Not Sure If You Can Go Back to Work Successfully?

If you would like to return to Substantial Gainful Activity after a disability but you are unsure if you will be able to support yourself, you may take advantage of the SSA’s trial work period.

Going back to work after being on Social Security disability can be confusing. If you have questions about your eligibility for Social Security disability benefits or about how substantial gainful activity could affect your disability payments, you may wish to speak to an experienced lawyer. The Social Security disability lawyers at Morgan & Weisbrod offer free, private consultations. Call us today to learn more.

Free Consultation ∙ Handicapped Accessible ∙ Se Habla Español

From offices in Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston, the Social Security Disability Claims attorneys of Morgan & Weisbrod, LLP help disabled people throughout Texas receive the disability benefits they deserve. Cities we serve include Tyler, Longview, Austin, El Paso, Lubbock, San Antonio, Waco, Amarillo, Bryan, College Station, Angleton, Galveston, Sugar Land, Beaumont, Arlington, Irving, Denton, McKinney, Plano, Carrollton, Amarillo, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, and Abilene.

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