SSDI & SSI Benefits in Erie

Direct Attorney Representation for Erie, Pennsylvania Claimants

We represent Erie residents pursuing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through initial applications and appeals. At Rubin & Badame, Attorneys at Law, P.C., clients work directly with an attorney at every stage instead of being passed between unfamiliar contacts.

Our dedicated team brings more than 35 years of experience to Social Security disability matters. We communicate through Zoom calls and direct texting, giving clients practical ways to stay in contact without traveling to meet with us. Client testimonials reflect the time, attention, and hard work we devote to each claim.

Discuss your SSDI or SSI claim with our attorneys. Call (610) 595-4917 for a free consultation.

Understanding SSDI & SSI Benefits in Erie, Pennsylvania

SSDI and SSI use the same general disability standard, but their nonmedical eligibility rules differ. Some applicants may need to consider both programs before deciding which benefits to pursue.

SSDI Eligibility

SSDI is funded through payroll taxes and requires a qualifying history of work covered by Social Security. Eligibility is measured through work credits, and the number a person needs depends on factors including age and work history.

SSI Eligibility

SSI is a needs-based program for people with limited income and resources. Prior work history isn’t required under the program’s financial rules. Social Security reviews financial eligibility separately from the medical evidence supporting the disability claim.

The Disability Standard

For either program, an applicant must have a qualifying disability expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Physical and mental impairments can qualify, but a diagnosis alone doesn’t establish eligibility. Applicants must provide medical evidence based on acceptable diagnostic techniques and show how their conditions affect their ability to work.

We help clients identify relevant records and present their limitations through the appropriate application or appeal process. Because eligibility depends on medical and program-specific factors, we assess each person’s circumstances instead of assuming a diagnosis establishes entitlement to benefits.

How Erie Social Security Disability Claims Proceed

After an Erie claimant contacts us, we discuss the medical conditions, employment history, current claim status, and any notices received from the Social Security Administration. We handle disability applications and appeals, including matters routed through the Social Security office serving Erie or assigned for an administrative hearing.

Social Security reviews the application and supporting records before issuing an initial decision. The review may involve medical records, employment information, and other evidence of the applicant’s functional limitations. Processing times vary, so we don’t assign an unverified timetable to a claim.

Administrative Hearings

If a claim reaches the hearing level, an administrative law judge reviews the issues raised in the appeal. Erie-area hearings are generally scheduled through the regional hearing office. We prepare clients and represent them before the administrative law judge.

The Social Security Administration has certified our firm to conduct qualifying disability hearings by video conference from our office. Not every hearing qualifies for video conferencing; the available format depends on how the matter is scheduled. When this option is available, we explain what to expect and how to prepare.

Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial

An SSA denial notice identifies the decision and explains the claimant’s appeal rights. A claimant generally has 60 days from receiving the notice to file an appeal. Because missing the applicable deadline can affect the next steps, anyone considering an appeal should have the notice reviewed promptly.

A disability appeal asks Social Security to review the denial at the next available level. The work may include examining the reasons for the decision, updating medical evidence, and preparing the claim for an administrative hearing when required. We handle these stages while communicating directly with the client.

Attorney Scott L.H. Rubin is a sustaining member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives. He has represented thousands of clients before administrative law judges of the Social Security Administration. That experience informs how we evaluate denial notices, prepare evidence, and present disability claims at hearings.

Request a Free SSDI or SSI Consultation

We offer free consultations to Erie residents who need assistance with a disability application or appeal. We handle Social Security disability claims on a contingency fee basis, so clients owe no attorney’s fee unless we win their benefits.

During your consultation, we can discuss your medical conditions, work history, application status, and any Social Security notices you’ve received. We can then explain the available next steps with no upfront attorney’s fee.

Call (610) 595-4917 to speak with us about your SSDI or SSI benefits claim in Erie, Pennsylvania.