309 Parrish Avenue · Adel, Georgia · M–F 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Phone · (229) 896-4513
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Social Security

Fighting for the Benefits You’ve Earned.

Since 2016, the Social Security Administration has routinely denied between 66.8% and 74.9% of all disability applications. But don’t let that discourage you. With the right legal representation, it’s completely possible to have a smooth and successful disability application process.

Carter, Carter & Carter helps clients across south Georgia pursue SSI and SSDI benefits, from initial applications through hearings before an Administrative Law Judge.

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How the SSDI Appeals Process Actually Works

Most people apply on their own, get denied, and don’t realize they can appeal. The appeals process has several stages:

  • ◆Initial disability applications
  • ◆Appeals of denied claims
  • ◆Reconsideration requests
  • ◆Hearings before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
  • ◆Guidance on medical documentation and evidence

The hearing stage is where having an attorney matters most. The ALJ hearing is your best opportunity to present your case. The way you prepare for it and present your evidence can be the difference between success and having to start over.

Our SSDI appeals attorneys help clients understand what the SSA is actually looking for, make sure the medical record is complete and documented in the way the agency evaluates it, and represent them at the hearing if it gets that far.

Who Qualifies for SSDI vs. SSI?

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is based on your work history. You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for enough years to be “insured.” The monthly benefit is based on your earnings record.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is need-based and doesn’t require a work history. It’s designed for people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or 65 and older. You can qualify for both programs at the same time.

In both cases, the definition of disability is the same: you must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that prevents you from doing substantial gainful activity, and the condition must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

We only get paid if you win. No out-of-pocket cost to hire us for a disability claim.

FAQ

Common Questions

Initial applications typically take three to six months. If denied and you go through reconsideration and then a hearing, the process can take a year or two in total. The backlog varies by region and by how backed up the local hearing office is.
Not exactly. The SSA evaluates whether you can do any substantial gainful work, not just your previous job. But the standard is stricter than most people expect, and the documentation has to back it up.
No. Social Security disability attorneys typically work on contingency, meaning we only get paid if you win. The fee is set by federal law: 25% of your back pay, up to a cap set by the SSA. There is no out-of-pocket cost to hire us for a disability claim.
Yes. A prior denial doesn’t permanently bar a new application, especially if your condition has worsened or you have new medical evidence.
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Denied Benefits, or Just Getting Started?

Call (229) 896-4513 or schedule your consultation to talk through your Georgia SSDI claim. We work on contingency, so there is no upfront cost to get us involved.

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Get Started Today

A ticket won’t go away on its own, and the deadline to respond is closer than you think. Call Carter, Carter & Carter today for a consultation.

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