More than 100 different neighborhoods make up the city of Norfolk. It is also home to the world’s largest naval base. With a population of more than 240,000 people, Norfolk is the second-largest city in Virginia. The city is rich in history and some of the area’s history can be seen in the architecture of the area. It is also one of the nine cities that make up the Hampton Roads metro area.
According to the data provided by the Social Security Administration, the state of Virginia currently has nearly 130,000 residents who are currently receiving Social Security Disability benefits.
If you live in the Norfolk area and you are suffering from a disabling physical or mental condition that is preventing you from supporting yourself or your family, then you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. In order to qualify, the condition that you are suffering from must be listed in the SSA’s “Blue Book” and must be expected to last for a period of 12 months or more.
The Blue Book is a published SSA document that provides a list of the diseases and disorders that qualify an individual for Social Security Disability benefits. If your condition is not listed, it is still possible to obtain disability benefits but you will have to prove beyond a doubt that the condition has resulted in a complete inability to perform any type of work activity whatsoever. This proof will be furnished to the SSA in the form of residual functional capacity forms and objective medical evidence.
If you are determined to be qualified for disability benefits, you will start receiving your Social Security Disability payments after the six-month waiting period has ended. This initial waiting period is counted from the first day your disability started. If you have already been disabled for six months your benefits will likely begin immediately. If you have been disabled for longer than six months, you may even be eligible for back pay from the Social Security Administration.
Apply for Norfolk Social Security Disability Benefits
If you are in need of Social Security Disability in the Norfolk area, you should contact a qualified Norfolk Social Security Disability attorney before you submit your disability application. An application for Social Security Disability can be confusing and overwhelming. It is not uncommon for applicants to improperly fill out their claim forms or provide insufficient medical evidence. This results in a denial of a disability claim, which is likely why nearly 70 percent of the initial claims received each year are denied by the Social Security Administration. If you consult with a Norfolk Social Security lawyer before filing your claim, you can be sure that the claim forms will be completed properly and submitted without mistakes and with proper medical documentation.
While it is highly recommended that you hire a Norfolk Social Security Disability attorney before filing your disability claim, many people wait until after they have been denied benefits before consulting with an attorney. If your initial claim for disability benefits is denied by the Social Security Administration, it is likely that you will need to attend a disability hearing in order to obtain the benefits you are entitled to. If you did not choose to have legal representation during the initial claim stage, it is crucial that you do so during the disability appeal process.
Fortunately, hiring a Norfolk Social Security Disability lawyer does not have to be cost prohibitive. These professionals work on a contingency basis, collecting either 25 percent of the back pay that you are awarded by the Social Security Administration, up to a maximum amount of $6,000. If you do not win your case, your attorney does not collect a fee.
For Norfolk residents who are in need of Social Security Disability benefits, the office that will handle your claim is located at 5850 Lake Herbert Drive on the first floor in the city of Norfolk.
When filing a disability claim or appealing a denied application, it is important that you provide the SSA with updated medical documentation. If you are out of work and have no access to medical insurance, getting the medical evidence you need can be a financial challenge. Below are some low-cost clinics that can help you in your efforts to obtain the medical evidence that you will need:
American Red Cross Adult Dental Clinic
611 West Branbleton Avenue
Norfolk VA 23510
757-446-7756
Hampton Roads Community Health Center- Norfolk office
3415 Granby St.
Norfolk VA 23504
757-533-9108
Your Norfolk Disability Claim
While it may be tempting to represent yourself during the disability claim and appeal process, it is crucial that you understand that your chances of obtaining benefits are significantly impacted by legal representation. Statistics have shown that applicants who choose to hire a Norfolk Social Security lawyer are more likely to be awarded benefits than applicants who chose to represent themselves. When you contact a Norfolk disability attorney, that attorney can discuss your case with you and will help you spot any issues that may pertain to your case as well as ways in which your case can be strengthened. If your initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits is denied by the Social Security Administration, your Norfolk disability lawyer will be able to represent you through each stage of the Social Security Disability appeal process, increasing your chances of obtaining the Social Security Disability payments you need to make ends meet.