Attendees will learn about the types of disability programs available through Social Security, how Social Security defines disabled, the steps in the process from filing an application to having a hearing with a judge, what evidence is needed to will a case and what benefits are available once the case is won.

1. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
I HAVE LUPUS –
CAN I GET SOCIAL SECURITY
DISABILITY BENEFITS?
© 2009-2015 Sharon A. Christie
SHARON A. CHRISTIE,
ESQUIRE

2. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
The Answer Is:
IT DEPENDS

3. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
The process is long and complicated
THE PROCESS
You could be denied twice and then go
to a hearing with an Administrative
Law Judge before you are approved for
benefits
DON’T GIVE UP!

4. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
The definition of disability for Social
Security disability purposes
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
The process from filing the application
to the hearing with an ALJ
What type of evidence is needed
to support a disability claim

5. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
SOCIAL SECURITY:
DIB/ SSDI
TWO DISABILITY PROGRAMS
Eligibility based on your
work history
Need certain amount of
“quarters” to qualify
Monthly disability
payment depends on
your earnings record
SSI
Supplemental Security
Income
Eligibility based on your
assets
Must have very limited
assets
Monthly disability
payment is capped at
$721/month

6. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
Defined as:
DISABILITY
“inability to engage in any substantial
gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable physical or
mental impairment which can be
expected to result in death or which
has lasted or can be expected to last
for a continuous period of not less than
12 months.”
42 USCA§423(d)
DEFINITION

7. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
Not limited to past work
“any substantial gainful activity”
$1090/month limit
DEFINITION

8. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
Medical evidence is the key to
obtaining disability benefits
“medically determinable
physical or mental impairment”
DEFINITION
The evidence must show
that your physical or
mental limitations
prevent you from
working

9. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
There must be evidence that
the condition has existed at a
disabling level for at least 12
months or is likely to
continue for that long.
“which has lasted or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less
than 12 months”
DEFINITION

10. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
1. FILE APPLICATION
THE PROCESS
Phone
Internet
3-6 Months for Decision
Based on Review of Medical Records
Most Claims Are Denied
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
In person

11. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
2. REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION
3-6 Months for Decision
Based on Review of Medical Records
Probably Denied Again
THE PROCESS
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
THE PROCESS

12. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
3. REQUEST FOR HEARING
18 – 20 months to get a hearing
Appear and testify before ALJ
Based on review of medical records
plus testimony
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
THE PROCESS

13. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
WHAT IS THE DIAGNOSIS?
EVIDENCE
WHAT SYMPTOMS DOES THE
CLAIMANT HAVE?
WHAT LIMITATIONS RESULT
FROM THOSE SYMPTOMS?
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
EVIDENCE

14. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
EVIDENCE: MEDICAL RECORDS
DISABILITY REPORTS
AND
QUESTIONNAIRES
CONSULTATIVE EXAMS
TESTIMONY
EVIDENCE
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
EVIDENCE

15. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
1. MEET A LISTINGTHE PROCESS
DEFINITION
HOW DO I PROVE MY CASE?

16. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200

17. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
Listing for Lupus

18. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
1. MEET A LISTINGTHE PROCESS
DEFINITION
HOW DO I PROVE MY CASE?
2. RESIDUAL FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY (RFC)

19. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
BACK PAYMENT
FUTURE PAYMENTS
MEDICAL INSURANCE
AWARD
THE PROCESS
DEFINITION
AWARD
EVIDENCE

20. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
ATTORNEY’S FEES
• Contingent fee
– 25% of back award
– Cannot exceed $6000
– Calculated and paid directly by SSA
• Reimbursement of expenses

21. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200
Law Office of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-8200
sharon@SharonChristieLaw.com
SHARON A. CHRISTIE,
ESQUIRE

22. LawOffice of Sharon A. Christie
201 W. Padonia Road, Suite 101
Timonium, MD 21093
410-823-3200