Giles County Social Security Disability Lawyer

According to the most recent figures from the Social Security Administration, as of December 2016, about 8.8 million workers and 1.8 million children and spouses of workers were receiving Social Security Disability benefits. In Giles County, Tenn., roughly 800 people – or about 2.74 percent of the county population – receive SSD benefits. That’s a low percentage, compared to many other states. However, it doesn’t mean Giles County has a lower rate of disability.

The SSA rejects the majority of first-time claims for SSD benefits, so people with disabilities often endure long wait times for benefits, and some never receive benefits. Even when an SSD application is approved, the beneficiary still must wait five months from the date of disability before receiving a check. In Giles County and elsewhere in Tennessee, there may be many people who need SSD benefits but aren’t receiving them. The process of applying for benefits can be so complicated and frustrating, some people stop trying.

If you live in Giles County and need help applying for SSD benefits, contact the Law Office of John R. Colvin. Our firm has more than two decades of experience handling SSD cases, as well as appeals when an initial claim for benefits was denied.

Work Ending Injuries in Giles County

Many of our clients come to us for help because they have suffered serious life-altering injuries. We help people apply for SSD benefits after suffering serious injuries that prevent them from ever being able to return to the workforce. The state caps workers’ compensation benefits, and in many instances fail to provide enough resources to meet one’s needs when seriously injured and unable to return to work ever again.

Applying for SSD is often the only way injured workers can provide for their families. Giles County employment is mostly in the manufacturing sector. In Pulaski, the Frito-Lay plant, Johnson Controls, and Magneti Marelli are among the largest area employers. Manufacturing occupations are especially hard on the human body, causing repetitive stress injuries, back injuries, burns, and other health problems. If you develop a disability due to illness or injury, the SSA will demand proof that your disability prevents you from doing any type of work. But when you’ve always worked in manufacturing and suffer a serious injury, you can’t easily find alternative work.

• Only 14 percent of the Giles County population age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, so most workers can’t easily find a “professional” job in an office. Employment options are limited, especially in the smaller cities of Ardmore, Elkton, and Minor Hill.

Options for Families

Nearly 17 percent of people in Giles County earn incomes that are below the federal poverty threshold. Many families can barely afford the necessities of daily life, and when an injury or illness strikes, the results can be devastating.

To apply for SSD benefits, a person must have earned enough “work credits” in their life to be eligible. But the spouse and children of a worker who qualifies might be eligible for SSD benefits, even if they’ve never worked. In some cases, an ex-spouse may qualify for benefits if they were married for at least 10 years. The SSA has many rules about who can qualify for benefits and how much they can receive, and it limits the total amount of benefits within a family.

• If you need to know more about getting SSD benefits for your spouse, children, or dependent grandchildren, make sure you talk to an attorney.

Trusted Experience

Attorneys who handle SSD cases must have a thorough knowledge of the applicable rules and procedures, including how to successfully launch an appeal when the SSA denies a claim for benefits. The Law Office of John R. Colvin has more than 20 years of experience with SSD cases and appeals.

If you need help with either your initial SSD claim or an appeal, contact our office today. We work on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront for our services – our fee comes from any SSD benefits you may receive. Request your confidential, no-obligation consultation online or by calling 931-962-1044.