Columbia, Maryland, which is located in Howard County, has a population of more than 99,600. There are several U.S. Department of Defense plants that call the city home, though the retail, biotech and finance industries also play a part in the local economy.
The Social Security Administration’s Region 3 office in Philadelphia, PA serves the residents of the City of Columbia. The Philadelphia regional office sees more than 16,400 new claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) annually and handles the distribution of payments to more than 151,900 beneficiaries.
SSDI is for individuals who’ve been unable to hold a job for an extended period of time as a result of a long-term or permanent disability. In addition to having a disabling condition, you must also have sufficient work credits built up over the last ten years in order to qualify for SSDI under the Social Security Administration’s guidelines. If you do not meet the requirements for SSDI, you may still qualify for SSI.
Apply for Columbia Social Security Disability Benefits
Applying for Columbia Social Security Disability benefits is a complex process and can take a number of months to complete. The Social Security Administration (SSA) approves about 31 percent of the initial claims seen in the Philadelphia regional office. The remaining claims – any which are initially denied benefits – must go through a second review, though only 12 percent of SSD applicants are found eligible at this juncture in the process.
The next step for those who are denied benefits is to file an appeal. This puts your case in the cue to be reviewed by an administrative law judge for final determination regarding eligibility. Having the assistance of a Columbia Social Security Disability attorney throughout this process increases your chances of receiving SSD benefits.
Most Columbia disability claims which are initially denied don’t have correct or sufficient medical records. A Columbia disability lawyer can review your case file and ensure that you receive the appropriate medical tests and other procedures for documenting your disability under SSA guidelines. He or she can improve your chances of receiving benefits during the initial or reconsideration reviews and can also argue your case at, and help you prepare for, the appeals hearing as well.
Below is the Social Security office location at which Columbia disability benefit claims can be submitted:
Columbia Social Security Disability Office
Lakeside Bldg, Suite 110,
8865 Stanford Blvd,
Columbia, MD 21045
Columbia Social Security Disability Resources
To be deemed eligible for Columbia disability benefits under the SSA’s guidelines, you must show you’ve gotten ongoing treatment for the conditions behind your disability. This can be challenging when you have limited income with which to pay for medical care. Here are some of the Columbia disability resources for free and low cost medical services.
Chase Brexton Health Services
5500 Knoll North Dr, Suite 370,
Columbia, MD 21045-2393
(410)884-7831
Howard County Health Department
7180 Columbia Gateway Dr,
Columbia, MD 21046-2132
(410)752-0954
Your Columbia Disability Claim
Having the appropriate medical documentation in your Columbia disability claim is critical to being found eligible for benefits. Before you submit your application to the SSA, you should consider having a Columbia Social Security Disability lawyer review your case file. He or she can tell you if any documentation is missing and can assist you in getting the right records included in your file.
A Columbia disability attorney can also walk you through the whole application and review process, making it easier to understand and more likely that you’ll be found eligible. Additionally, if you must file an appeal or request a reconsideration on your claim, your Columbia disability lawyer can assist with these steps as well, including arguing your case before the administrative law judge in the appeal hearing.
Columbia disability attorneys charge no upfront fees for their services and are only paid if you receive SSD benefits.