Florida Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income Attorney

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Chris R. Borgia, Esq. - Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A. has substantial experience in handling all aspects of the disability litigation process from Initial Claims to Federal Court appeals. Chris takes his knowledge and experience from the courtroom to the classroom at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida. Chris is an Adjunct Professor of Law at FIU teaching aspiring law students and paralegals about personal injury, medical malpractice, and disability law.

If you have been turned down for Social Security Disability, you know that the Social Security Administration is a complex bureaucracy. It may seem that no one cares about your disability and need for assistance. Our firm has helped hundreds of Florida citizens get approved for benefits, guiding them through the long, document-intensive process.

I am Chris R. Borgia, and my firm, Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A., practices exclusively in disability law. I became interested in disability litigation when I was in law school and my own mother became sick. She was denied benefits and no one from the SSA called and no one explained why. Today, my practice is dedicated to helping those who need help the most. People like you who are stuck in limbo: unable to work, but unable to qualify for disability benefits.

Areas of Law

Areas of Law Description

- Social Security Disability

The Social Security program for workers functions like an insurance plan. A claimant is required to have: contributed to the program (paid Social Security taxes) over a sufficiently long period to be “fully insured,”; and contributed to the program recently enough to have “disability insured status” In short, a worker must have paid Social Security taxes in order to be “insured,” just like paying the premiums for a private insurance policy. Generally to be fully insured, a claimant must have one quarter credit (“QC”) for every calendar year after the year in which he or she turned 21, up to the calendar year before becoming disabled.

- Supplemental Security Income

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is a federal welfare program for the disabled, blind, and those over 65. In contrast to social security disability, benefits are paid out of general revenues, not out of the social security trust fund. Many states supplement the federal SSI benefit. Thus, the SSI benefit amount varies from state to state. To meet all the requirements to receive SSI a claimant must: be “disabled” using the same definition as is used for the social security disability program; meet the income and asset requirements of the SSI program; be a U.S. citizen or fall into the group of limited exceptions to the citizenship rule; and file an application.

- Survivor Benefits

Disability claims of a widow, widower, or surviving divorced spouse require that the deceased spouse or ex-spouse was fully insured at the time of death. Only marriage of a required duration confers the right to benefits based on the work history of a spouse: 10 years for a surviving divorced spouse; or with some exceptions, 9 months for a widow(er). Widow(er)s and surviving divorced spouses must be at least 50; and their disabilities must start within seven years of the death of the spouse or within seven years of the time the widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse was last entitled to mother’s or father’s benefits or to widow(er)’s disability benefits.

- Denied Claims Appeal

The process of applying for Social Security disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits is often complex and lengthy. It can be hard to understand for first-time claimants, and as a result, most initial claims are denied. Anyone who has had his or her initial claim denied should know that there are opportunities to appeal that decision. At the Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A., we represent clients at various stages of appeal. We have helped hundreds of clients seek the disability benefits they deserve. Fort Lauderdale Social Security disability appeals lawyer Chris R. Borgia can help you through the SSDI appeals process in Florida.

- Administrative Law Judge Hearing

If you have been turned down for SSDI or SSI after the second submission of your claim, the Social Security Administration provides a hearing before an SSA judge. You have 60 days from receiving the Notification of Denial on Reconsideration to request a hearing. This is your first chance to talk face-to-face with a real person to explain why you are disabled and cannot return to work. You should certainly have legal counsel for the administrative law judge hearing. The Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A. will prepare you for your ALJ hearing and represent you when you appear before the judge. This is your chance to present evidence of your disability, including new documentation from your doctor(s).

- Disability Evaluation

Do you qualify for Social Security benefits? How does the Social Security Administration (SSA) determine whether to accept a claim? You must meet several criteria to be eligible for benefits, including: not gainfully employed at the time of filing; having a severe impairment as defined by the Social Security Administration; having an impairment that will last (or has lasted) 12 months or more, or which will result in death; unable to work at your former job; and unable to perform other generally available work. At the Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A., we represent those who have been turned down for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) or supplemental security income (SSI). Attorney Chris R. Borgia personally handles cases and uses his extensive knowledge to submit or appeal our clients' claims.

- Disability Dire Need / Congressional Inquiry

Inability to work because of a disability naturally causes financial consequences, and you may be unable to afford necessary medical care while you are waiting to be approved for Social Security Disability. In extreme cases, the Social Security Administration provides expedited claim processing (Dire Need claims), and our attorney can also seek help from your Congressman if the SSA is bungling your claim. The Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A. practices only in the area of Social Security Disability claims. We have helped many hundreds of people qualify for benefits, including many dire need cases.

More Information on Chris R. Borgia, Esq. - Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A.

Miami, Florida Social Security Disability Attorney
Miami, FL Supplemental Security Income Lawyer
Survivor Benefits Law Firm in Miami, Florida
Denied Claims Appeal Attorney in Miami, FL
Miami, Florida Eligible Impairments Lawyer
Miami, FL Dire Need Cases Law Firm
Administrative Hearing Attorney in Miami, Florida
Chris R. Borgia, Esq. - Social Security Disability Law Firm, P.A. Blog

Office Locations

• USA - Florida, Boca Raton
• USA - Florida, Miami - Main Office