Auburn Social Security Disability Attorney

When a serious physical or mental health condition keeps you from working, it can feel like everything in your life is on hold. The bills keep coming, and the Social Security process can be confusing and slow. If you are looking for a social security disability attorney in the Auburn area, you are already taking a positive step for yourself and your family.

At Carmichael Law Group, we focus our work on Social Security Disability and disability insurance claims. For more than a decade, our team has guided thousands of people across the country through applications and appeals, including many who live in and around Auburn, AL.

We know that you are not just a case number. Our goal is to provide personal attention, clear information, and steady support at every stage of your disability claim. You can talk with us in English or Spanish, and we can often handle most steps over the phone or online if travel is difficult for you.

Call (888) 687-6022 to speak with our team today.

What is Social Security Disability?

Social Security Disability is a federal program overseen by the Social Security Administration (SSA) designed to provide financial assistance to individuals who cannot work due to a long-term, verifiable medical condition.

The SSA operates two primary disability benefit programs:

• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): This program is designed for individuals who have worked in recent years and paid into the Social Security system through Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) payroll taxes.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Unlike SSDI, SSI is a need-based program. It does not require a specific work history but is strictly limited to individuals with severe financial need, limited income, and minimal assets.

No matter which program aligns with your situation, the medical standard used to determine whether you are disabled remains the same.

Eligibility for Social Security Disability

To qualify for disability benefits, you must meet both technical and medical eligibility requirements. The SSA uses a strict five-step evaluation process to determine your eligibility:

Work History and Earning Capacity

For SSDI, you must have accumulated enough "work credits" based on your total yearly wages. Generally, you need 40 credits, 20 of which must have been earned in the 10 years leading up to your disability (the 20/40 rule).

Additionally, you cannot be engaging in what the SSA defines as Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA). If you are working and earning over a specific monthly threshold ($1,690 for non-blind individuals, or $2,830 if you are legally blind), your claim will be automatically denied.

Severity of Your Condition

Your medical impairment must be considered "severe" by SSA standards. This means your condition must significantly limit your physical or mental ability to perform basic work activities—such as lifting, standing, sitting, walking, or remembering instructions—for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

The Blue Book Listing

The SSA maintains a manual called the "Listing of Impairments" (commonly known as the Blue Book). This document categorizes severe medical conditions that automatically qualify an applicant for disability. If your exact condition and medical symptoms are not explicitly listed, you must prove that your impairment is equal in severity to a listed condition.

Many different medical conditions may qualify for disability benefits, including:

• Back and spinal injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• Arthritis
• Chronic pain disorders
• Respiratory illnesses
• Blindness or vision impairment
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• PTSD
• Bipolar disorder

Even if your condition is not specifically listed by the SSA, you may still qualify if your symptoms significantly limit your ability to work.

Ability to Do Past Relevant Work

If your condition is severe but does not meet a specific Blue Book listing, the SSA will evaluate your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). The evaluation determines whether your physical or mental limitations prevent you from performing any of the job duties required by your previous employment over the past 15 years.

Ability to Do Other Types of Work

If you cannot return to your past work, the burden shifts to the SSA to determine if there is any other type of gainful employment available in the national economy that you could perform. The SSA evaluates your remaining functional capacity alongside your age, education, and transferable job skills. If you cannot adapt to alternative work, your claim will be approved.