When an injury or illness takes away your ability to work, the loss reaches far beyond your paycheck. Bills keep arriving, medical appointments pile up, and the future you planned can suddenly feel out of reach. Social Security Disability benefits exist for exactly this situation, but getting the Social Security Administration (SSA) to approve them is rarely as simple as it should be. At Ligori & Ligori, Injury Lawyers, our Social Security Disability attorneys help people across Florida build applications and appeals that show the SSA the full reality of what they live with every day.
We know how discouraging it is to hear that you don't qualify when you can barely get through a day. Many legitimate claims are denied the first time around, often because medical records are incomplete, the paperwork misses something important, or the application never clearly connects your condition to the work you can no longer do. We work to close those gaps, whether you're applying for the first time or pushing back after a denial.
If a medical condition or injury has kept you from working, or is expected to, we want to talk to you.
You've already been through enough. Our team leads with empathy in every conversation, because we understand that you're reaching out during one of the hardest stretches of your life. How we handle your claim can shape what the months and years ahead look like for you and your family, and we take that responsibility seriously.
Ligori & Ligori has served the injured throughout Florida since 2003, and our attorneys bring more than 145 years of combined legal experience to every client relationship.
Many people who need disability benefits are living with the aftermath of a serious accident, from spinal cord damage and brain injuries to amputations and nerve damage. Those are the kinds of life-altering injuries our firm has spent more than two decades helping people through. Spanish-speaking staff work at every level of our firm, and we can meet you at home, in the hospital, or wherever is easiest for you.
To get started with a free consultation, call Ligori & Ligori today at 813-701-9280 or contact us online.
Who Can File a Social Security Disability Claim?
Social Security Disability is a term people often use for two separate federal programs.
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is tied to your earnings record and the payroll taxes you've contributed while working.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed for people with very limited income and assets, regardless of how much they've worked.
For adults, both programs apply the same medical standard, so the question of whether your condition is disabling is the same either way. Depending on your history and finances, you may be eligible for one program or both.
In general, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits if:
- You have a physical or mental condition documented by acceptable medical sources.
- Your condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or to result in death.
- Your condition keeps you from earning above the monthly limit the SSA sets for substantial gainful activity.
- You can no longer do the work you did before and can't reasonably adjust to other work given your age, education, and experience.
- For SSDI, you've worked long enough, and recently enough, in jobs covered by Social Security to earn the required work credits.
- For SSI, your income and financial resources fall below the program's limits.
Benefits may also reach the people who depend on you. Certain spouses and children can receive payments based on a disabled worker's record, and children with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for SSI based on their household's finances.
You don't have to figure out on your own whether you meet these requirements. During a free consultation, we'll listen to the details of your situation, review where your claim stands, and give you our initial opinion on how to move forward.
Don’t Wait to Get Help Applying for SSD Benefits or Appealing a Denial
Timing matters more than many people realize. After a denial, you generally have just 60 days to request the next level of review. Waiting too long to apply in the first place can limit the past-due benefits you're able to receive.
Reaching out to Ligori & Ligori now costs you nothing and can help protect the benefits you're counting on.
Qualifying Conditions and the SSD Benefits You Could Receive
The SSA doesn't approve claims based on a diagnosis alone. What matters is how your condition limits what you can do, from sitting and standing to concentrating, remembering instructions, or keeping a reliable schedule.
Two people with the same diagnosis can receive very different decisions, depending on how thoroughly their records document those limitations.
Conditions Common in Social Security Disability Claims
A wide range of physical and mental health conditions can support a disability claim. Some of the conditions we see most often include:
- Spinal cord injuries and severe back or neck conditions
- Traumatic brain injuries and other neurological disorders
- Amputations and loss of use of a hand, arm, or leg
- Joint and bone disorders that limit standing, walking, or lifting
- Nerve damage and chronic pain conditions
- Heart and lung conditions
- Cancer
- Autoimmune and immune system disorders
- Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Your condition doesn't have to appear on this list, or match one of the SSA's published impairment listings word for word, to qualify. A combination of conditions that together prevent you from working can also support a successful claim.
The Toll a Disabling Condition Takes on Your Life
The effects of a disabling injury or illness rarely stay contained to one part of your life. You may be dealing with constant pain, exhaustion from treatment, side effects from medication, or symptoms that flare up without warning. Tasks that used to be routine, like driving, grocery shopping, or getting dressed, may now take far more effort or require help from someone else.
Then there's the financial strain. Losing your income while medical costs climb can put your home, your savings, and your family's stability at risk.
Many people we talk to have tried to keep working through the pain, only to find their bodies or minds simply won't allow it anymore. That struggle is real, and it deserves to be taken seriously.
Benefits Available Through an Approved Claim
Social Security Disability benefits are meant to give you a foundation to stand on while you focus on your health. Depending on the program and your circumstances, an approved claim may provide:
- Monthly payments to help cover everyday living expenses
- Past-due benefits, often called back pay, for qualifying months before your claim was approved
- Medicare coverage for SSDI recipients after a waiting period
- Medicaid coverage, which often comes with SSI eligibility
- Benefits for qualifying family members based on your SSDI record
For us, a disability claim isn't about a number on a check. It's about what you need to keep a roof over your head, get the medical care you rely on, and make life after a serious injury or illness a little easier.
We build every claim with that goal in mind, gathering the medical records, treatment history, and work details that show the SSA the full picture of your limitations.
Why Choose Ligori & Ligori to Handle Your Social Security Disability Claim
More Than Two Decades of Standing Beside Injured Floridians
Since 2003, our firm has helped people across Florida through the aftermath of catastrophic injuries, and our attorneys bring 145+ years of combined legal experience to every case. That background gives us a deep understanding of how serious injuries affect the body, the mind, and a person's ability to earn a living.
Details That Make the Difference
We leave no stone unturned, because a missing record or an overlooked symptom can be the reason a claim is denied. We prepare every claim as if it's headed for a hearing before an administrative law judge, so your evidence is organized, complete, and ready for whatever comes next.
Personal Service From People Who Care
Our clients are our top priority, and more than 200 five-star reviews reflect how we treat the people we serve. We'll travel to meet you at home, at the hospital, or wherever is most convenient, and our Spanish-speaking staff at every level of the firm help you communicate without language barriers.
No Upfront Fees and a Free Consultation
You pay nothing to talk with us about your claim, and you pay no attorney fee unless your benefits are approved. When a fee is owed, it must be authorized by the SSA and generally comes from a limited share of your past-due benefits, so cost doesn't have to stand between you and the help you need.