FAQ - Why Hire a Disability Attorney?

Should I Obtain An Disability Attorney?

Social Security rules for determining disability and your job history are very technical and complicated. Social Security does not require a person to be represented by an lawyer.  Nevertheless, the government’s very own figures show that benefits are awarded far more frequently to individuals with lawyers than those who chose to handle their claims without having the assistance of an attorney. Also, the hearing in front of an administrative law judge is considered a legal proceeding.

Every case is unique. The function of an attorney will be based on the particular facts of each case. Lawyers in Social Security Disability cases do a great deal more than sit in a hearing and ask a few queries. Much pre-hearing preparing, analysis and evidence assembling go into adequate representation for each case.

As your lawyer, some of the things we may do are:

• Present an opening or closing statement at the hearing
• Request timely appeals to proper level of appeal
• Seek waiver of time limit
• Make sure that you receive the correct amount of benefits if approved
  
• Obtain documents from your Social Security Disability file
• Ask that prior application for benefits be reopened
• Gather medical or other evidence
• Provide a thorough evaluation and explanation of your claim
• Contact your doctor to obtain a report consistent with Social Security rules
• Prepare you to testify at hearing

FAQ - Why Should I Apply for Disability Benefits?

Why Should I Make an Application?

You should apply for disability benefits for several causes.

•     you will be eligible for Medicare health insurance or Medicaid according to the kind of Social Security benefit
•     you may receive cost of living increases each 12 months to your once a month disability benefit
•     you may profit from tax advantages or get your benefits tax-free
•     you may guard any coming future Social Security benefits (Retirement or Survivors benefits if qualified)
•     you may be eligible for work incentives or vocational rehabilitation training programs to assist you in returning to work
•     your spouse or kids may be eligible for benefits on your record.

What Social Security Administration Benefits Are Available?

There are two types of benefits, Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income. Social Security Disability is paid to disabled workers, and in some cases their dependents, based on the disabled worker's earnings paid into the Social Security system. Supplemental Security Income is paid to disabled individuals that have little or no work history, and is based on financial need.

You may qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits if you:

• are disabled and worked/earned enough credits to become insured
• were disabled before the age of 22 and either of your parents is disabled or deceased, and earned enough credits to become insured
• are a disabled widower or widow between the ages of 50 and 60 and your deceased spouse earned enough credits to become insured

Being disabled as an adult means that you have a physical or mental condition that:

• is expected to result in death
• has lasted or is expected to last for more than 12 months
• results in the inability to perform substantial gainful activity (earning less that $1,010 in an average month)

You may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Payments if you:

• are a U.S. citizen or national, or in one of certain categories of aliens and is a resident of one of the 50 States, Washington D.C., or the Northern Mariana Islands
• are not absent from the country for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more
• apply for any other cash payments or benefits (Social Security benefits, pensions, etc)
• are age 65 or older
• are blind (vision acuity of 20/200 or less in your better eye with use of a correcting lens) or disabled
• have limited income
• have limited resources
• file an application
• meet certain other requirements

 

Fees to Win Your Social Security - Disability Case

  Kassin & Carrow Fees

NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE!

 

In the economy today, many household budgets are stressed. At Kassin & Carrow, the last thing we want to do is to add extra financial burdens to you and your family. We believe that if you do not win your case, you should not pay our fee. 

For most cases, we work on a contingent fee basis of 25% of past-due benefits or $6,000.00, whichever is less. Any fee must be approved by the Social Security Administration. If you don not win your case, then you do not pay any fee.

We will ask you to reimburse us for cost of acquiring medical records, and for whatever your doctor charges for writing reports to help us win your claim. Total expenses usually are less than $100.00.

If you do not win your case, then you do not pay any expenses.

Getting the Social Security Disability Insurance You're Due...

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

You may be eligible to receive benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are "insured." This means that you worked long enough and paid taxes into the Social Security system. Your adult child may also be eligible for benefits under your earnings record if he or she has a disability that began before age 22. Medical and other information will be collected when the government makes a decision about benefits. According to the U.S. Social Security Administration's website, a 20-year-old worker has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age. 

When determining if a person is disabled, the government uses five questions:

1. Are you working? If you are working and your gross earnings are more than $1,010.00 per month, you generally cannot be considered disabled. If you are not working or your gross earnings are below $1,010.00 per month due to a medical condition, then SSA will go to the next question.
2. Is your condition "severe"? Your condition must interfere with basic work related activities for your claim to be considered. If your condition is not severe, then SSA will not find you disabled. If your condition is severe, then SSA will go to the next question.
3. Is your condition found in the list of disabling conditions? The regulations list impairment for each of the major body systems that are so severe they automatically mean you are disabled. If your condition is not on the list, then SSA has to decide if it is of equal severity to an impairment on the list. If your condition meets or equals one of the listed impairments, then SSA will find that you are disabled. If your condition does not meet or equal one of the listed impairments, then SSA will go to the next question.
4. Can you perform the work that you did previously? If your condition is severe, but not at the same or equal severity as a condition on the list then SSA must determine if the condition interferes with your ability to do the work that you did previously. If your condition does not prevent you from doing your past work, then SSA will not find you disabled. If your condition prevents you from doing your past work, then SSA will go to the next question.
5. Can you perform any other type of work? If you can not do the work that you did in the past, then SSA determines if you are able to adjust to other work. SSA considers your medical conditions, your age, education, past work experience and any transferable skills that you may have acquired. If you cannot adjust to other work, then SSA will find you disabled.

If you are found to be disabled:

• you will be eligible for Medicare health insurance or Medicaid, depending on the type of Social Security benefit
• you may receive annual cost of living increases
• you may receive tax advantages or receive your benefits tax-free
• you may protect any future Social Security benefits (with Retirement or Survivors benefits if eligible)
• you may quality for vocational rehabilitation programs or work incentives to get you back to work
• your spouse or children may be eligible for benefits on your record

Protecting Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

If you have a disability, you may qualify for a program managed by the Social Security Administration. SSI benefits are paid through the United States Treasury general funds and are generally reserved for people who have low income and few resources.  Children who are blind or disabled can also receive SSI benefits.  The basic amount of benefits are the same nationwide, but some states may add money to the basic benefit.  At Kassin & Carrow, we want to help you receive the maximum benefit possible. 

Receiving SSI depends on things like your income and resources.  Wages, Social Security benefits and pensions all count as income.  In addition, food and shelter benefits may count as income. If you are married, part of your spouse's income and resources may be considered. If you are a student, some of the wages and/or scholarships may not count.

If you are blind, Social Security does not count wages that you use for work expenses.  For example - using wages to pay for transportation to and from work are not counted as income. Also, some of the income you use for training or purchasing items needed to work may not count.

When it comes to resources, or things that you own, Social Security will look at things like real estate, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, and cash.  If your resources are worth no more than $2,000, you may be able to get SSI.  For couples, the resources may be worth no more than $3,000.

Social Security doesn't count everything you own. Things that are generally not counted are:

• Life insurance policies with face value less than or equal to $1,500
• Your car in most cases
• Burial plots for  you and members or your immediate family
• Burial funds up to $1,500 for you and $1,500 for your spouse
• Your residential home you live in and the land it is on

You may also qualify for SSI benefits:

• If you live in a public institute while attending approved job or educational training
• If you live in a public emergency shelter designated for the homeless
• If you live in a private or public institution and more than half of the cost of your care is paid by Medicaid
• If you live in a public community residence serving no more than 16 people

When we officially apply for benefits and to process your application quickly, we will need:

• Your Social Security number
• Information about your home - mortgage, lease, and landlord's name
• Birth certificate or other proof or your age
• Payroll stubs, insurance policies, bank statements/records, and other information about income and resources
• We will need the names, address, and telephone number of doctors, hospitals, and clinics that have treated you
• Proof of citizenship in the United States or eligible noncitizen status

Kassin & Carrow is here to assist you every step of the way. Remember, you never pay a fee unless we win your case.

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  Kassin & Carrow Only Practices Disability Law

Social Security Disability is all we do!
What does that mean to you?  It means that our 30 years of experience and knowledge is focused entirely on you and your Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income claims and payments.

Our past and continuing success is based upon that experience, knowledge, and a well-trained support staff.  Kassin & Carrow has a quality relationship with the local Office(s) of Disability Adjudication and Appeals. Our customer service is second to none. 

No one wants to think about a disability or injury. It is not an easy thing to talk about. Let our experience help you. If you have a physical or mental condition through an injury or illness, and have been or expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months - we can help.  You can rest assured that, even though you may feel overwhelmed or confused, that we will devote our time to you and do everything we can to help ease your anxiety and stress during the entire process.

At Kassin & Carrow, we strive to give the highest quality personal representation and service to each of our clients. You are more to us than "just another case." We focus on people in the St. Louis and Metro East Illinois area.  We take the time to get to know you and your specific case, situation, and needs. We are dedicated to secure a result that will give you the benefits you need. With offices in Edwardsville, Illinois and St. Peters, Missouri, we are well positioned geographically to help you.  Past clients have lived in many areas, including Wentzville, St. Charles, Kirkwood, St Peters, St. Louis, Collinsville, Litchfield and more.

Our Team

Martin T. Carrow, II - Founding Member-Attorney at Law
Bar Admissions:
State of Illinois, 1991
Southern District of Illinois
Central District of Illinois
 
Education:
Ohio Northern University
Ada, OH
Juris Doctor, 1990
 
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1987
 
Organizations:
National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
Illinois State  Bar Association
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

Christopher D. Syrup - Associate Attorney at Law
 
Bar Admissions:
Missouri, 1996
Illinois, 1997
 
Education:
The John Marshall Law School
Chicago, IL
Juris Doctor, 1996
 
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN
Bachelor of Science, Public Affairs, 1993
 
Organizations:
National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR)
Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL)
The Missouri Bar
Illinois State Bar Association

John R. Nelson - Associate Attorney at Law
 
Bar Admissions:
State of Missouri, 2002
 
Education:
Washington University School of Law
St. Louis, MO
Juris Doctor, 2000
 
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI
Bachelor of Arts, History and Political Science, 1996
 
Organizations:
National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
The Missouri Bar

Dawna M. Hale - Associate Attorney at Law
 
Bar Admissions:
State of Illinois, 2006
Southern District of Illinois
 
Education:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL
Juris Doctor, 2006
 
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL 
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, 2002
 
Organizations:
National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
Madison County Bar Association
Alton Wood River Bar Association
Illinois State  Bar Association
The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

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