You earn your Social Security benefits when you work and pay FICA taxes. That includes Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits when you need them. But too often, people face obstacles securing the SSDI benefits they deserve. The process can be long and complicated, and simple mistakes can trigger a denial or set your claim back by months. In Jacksonville, it takes an average of six months just to get an appeal hearing scheduled, and then a few months more to get a decision.
The best way to avoid errors that can delay your SSDI benefits is to work with an experienced Jacksonville Social Security disability lawyer from the beginning.
In Florida, about 60% of initial claims for SSDI benefits are denied. In order to qualify for benefits, the applicant must meet technical requirements such as having collected sufficient work credits. The applicant must also prove that they meet the Social Security Administration (SSA) definition of “disabled.” An experienced disability lawyer can help ensure that you have all of the documentation needed to establish your claim before you apply, improving your chances of being approved on the first try.
It typically takes about five months to get a decision on the initial application. During that time, the applicant may have no income, or be reliant on state-level public benefits for basic necessities. If the initial application is denied, the appeals process can add months–or even years–to that gap in income. While an experienced Jacksonville SSDI attorney can help you at any stage of the application and appeals processes, getting help at the outset can significantly cut down the time required to secure benefits.
Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) both provide income to disabled people, and both are administered by the SSA. But they are very different programs.
SSDI is a disability insurance program funded through payroll deductions, and is available to any qualifying worker regardless of income and assets. SSI is a need-based program funded through the U.S. Treasury that provides monetary benefits to elderly and disabled people with very limited income and assets.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, a worker must have accrued the required number of Social Security work credits and show that they are medically disabled.
The number of work credits required will depend on how old the worker was when they became disabled. Most workers must have collected 40 work credits across their career, with 20 of those credits having been earned in the 10 years leading up to disability. However, younger workers who have had less time to earn work credits have lower requirements.
To establish a medical disability, the applicant must show that a medical condition or combination of conditions that will last at least 12 months prevents them from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” (SGA). The first thing the SSA looks at is your current earnings from work. In 2025, if you earn more than $1,620/month ($2,700 if you’re blind), the SSA will determine that you are engaged in SGA and are not disabled. Note that only income from work or self-employment is counted.
If that’s not the case, they’ll go on to assess your medical condition. You may be found medically disabled in two different ways. First, the SSA will check to see whether your condition meets or equals a listing in the Social Security Blue Book, also known as the Listing of Impairments. If you don’t qualify on that basis, the SSA goes on to consider the limitations you face due to your medical condition. They’ll assess your ability to work based on those limitations and other factors such as your age, educational level and past work experience.
For SSI benefits, the medical assessment is the same as it is for SSDI. However, since SSI is need-based, most income is considered in determining eligibility–and the cut-off is lower. In 2025, the federal benefit cap for SSI is $967/month. Any countable income you have is deducted from that amount in determining your benefits. Your assets are also considered in determining eligibility for SSI. Some states supplement the amount of federal SSI benefits, but Florida does not.
When thinking about filing a Social Security disability claim, I encourage people to visit the Social Security Administration’s website at ssa.gov. There, you can follow the links to filing a claim and read more about the process to see if it’s the right option for you.
Our firm takes cases at any stage — whether it’s filing a new application or helping with an appeal. There’s a lot involved in a Social Security disability claim, and our goal is to guide clients through the process toward a favorable outcome.
We make sure nothing is missed and everything is handled properly. Clients don’t pay directly — our fee is contingent on a successful outcome.
Sometimes, SSDI claims are denied because someone truly doesn’t meet the requirements. For example, someone may not have enough recent work credits to qualify. More often, though, denials happen due to mistakes or missing information such as:
As you can see, most of these issues come down to a lack of understanding of the process. Our Social Security disability lawyers have deep knowledge of the process and of the types of evidence the SSA is looking for.
Whether you’re just starting the SSDI application process or appealing a denial, the right disability attorney can make all the difference. The Social Security disability lawyers at Harrell & Harrell have experience with all stages of the process. That includes:
The best way to know if a disability lawyer is right for you is to speak with them directly. At Harrell & Harrell, our personal injury attorneys will meet with you for free, no-obligation consultations to make sure you have the information you need to make the right decision.
We’ve been representing people in and around Jacksonville for decades, and have extensive experience with the SSA offices in the Jacksonville area and the local healthcare systems that will likely be providing the documentation you need for your SSDI or SSI application.
The earlier you get knowledgeable guidance from a disability attorney in Jacksonville, FL, the better. Call us today at (904) 251-1111 to schedule your free consultation.
The primary Social Security disability benefit is Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. SSDI benefits are generally available to workers who have accrued enough work credits prior to becoming disabled, and who are no longer able to participate in “substantial gainful activity.” SSDI benefits may also be available to certain people who became disabled in childhood.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) also offers a need-based benefit, called Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI isn’t strictly a disability benefit–it is available to the elderly, blind, or disabled who have very limited financial resources.
The SSA does maintain a list of medical conditions that may constitute a disability. However, determining whether or not you qualify for SSDI benefits is not as easy as simply checking to see whether your condition is on the list. First, certain criteria must be met for a listed condition to be considered severe enough to qualify for Social security disability benefits. So, it’s possible to suffer from a listed condition and still not meet the eligibility requirements associated with that condition.
Second, it’s possible to qualify for Social Security disability even if your condition isn’t on the list, though more documentation may be required and you may be more likely to have to fight for your benefits through the appeals process.
First, make sure that your application is complete and you provide adequate, well-organized documentation. Leaving out information, skipping questions, failing to provide information from all of your medical providers and other omissions can delay your claim or result in a denial. Working with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer from the beginning can minimize the risk of this type of error and delay.
Even if you do everything right, your initial claim may be denied. In fact, most SSDI applications are initially denied. To increase your chances of ultimate approval, you must read all communications from the SSA promptly and move your case along to the next step. Many, many applicants who were initially denied secure benefits at a later stage in the process, so it’s important not to get discouraged and drop out too soon. It’s also to your advantage to consult a Social Security disability lawyer if your claim is denied–those who work with lawyers for Social Security disability appeals are more likely to be approved.
Social Security disability claims may be denied for medical or non-medical reasons. One common non-medical reason is that the applicant has not accrued enough work credits during the appropriate time period. Applications may also be denied if they are incomplete or required documentation isn’t provided.
A medical denial may be because the medical condition doesn’t meet the SSA’s definition of disability. But, don’t assume that a medical denial is correct. Sometimes, a claim is denied because a disability hasn’t been established, but that just means that more information and better presentation is required to show the SSA that you do meet their requirements. An experienced disability lawyer can help.
Don’t give up! Many claims that are denied are later approved. Your first step should be to carefully read the information you receive from the SSA. There are tight deadlines for submitting a request for reconsideration or requesting a hearing, and missing a deadline can set your claim back by several months.
You should also consider consulting an experienced Social Security disability lawyer to help you navigate the next steps.
At Harrell & Harrell, we say “as soon as possible.” Many SSDI lawyers won’t take on a case until after a claim has been denied. But, we know that having the strongest possible application from the start can mean an earlier approval–and no one who is disabled and in need of income should unnecessarily wait months or years for benefits.
We’re ready and able to help you with your Social Security disability application and/or appeals no matter where you are in the process.
First, make sure you’re working with a disability lawyer who has specific experience with the Social Security disability application and appeals process. While any lawyer can technically represent you in the SSDI application and appeals process, these cases are substantively and procedurally different than many other case types and it is important for your attorney to be familiar with both. Ideally, the law firm will have experience with your type of disability.
You should also use your free consultation to ensure that your attorney takes your concerns seriously and answers your questions in a way that makes sense to you. You’ll be discussing personal medical information and details of your daily life with the attorney, and it is important that you feel comfortable fully sharing the necessary information.
Absolutely not. Some SSDI law firms only accept clients whose claims have been denied, but that’s just their preference. The truth is that working with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer from the beginning can help you avoid missteps, missing information, missed deadlines, and other errors that could delay your claim significantly.
At Harrell & Harrell, we recommend setting yourself up for success by getting knowledgeable help and guidance as early in the process as possible.
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