New Hampshire Social Security Disability Attorneys

Serving clients throughout New Hampshire, Maine & Massachusetts

Shaheen & Gordon … because the best legal minds belong in your corner.

The attorneys and staff in the Social Security Disability law group at Shaheen & Gordon have experience and expertise in all aspects of Social Security Disability law practice in the New England courts of New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts, and at Federal courts and agencies.

Shaheen & Gordon is proud of our history fighting to protect the rights of injured or disabled people in our community. Over the years, we’ve helped literally thousands of individuals make ends meet after suffering a disabling injury or a chronic illness. If you have recently become disabled and cannot work, you need to understand your rights and responsibilities. Shaheen & Gordon has the experience and expertise to help you.

Most people know about the Social Security Retirement Program, but few are familiar with the Social Security Disability program until they are personally affected by a disability. Generally speaking, there are two programs which provide benefits to qualified individuals who are deemed “disabled” under the law.

Social Security Disability Benefits (SSD) are paid to individuals who suffer a disabling injury and/or disease, which prevents them from continuing to work. Generally, to be qualified for the program, the individual must have worked in recent years, usually five out of the last ten years.

Supplemental Social Security Income Benefits (SSI) are paid to qualified individuals depending upon certain income and asset limitations, regardless of whether or not the person has worked in the past. There are also benefits available under this program for disabled children depending on the income of the child’s guardian.

Commonly Asked Questions:

Q: What is a “disability” for Social Security purposes?

A: A person has to have an injury, disease, or medical condition which prevents that person from engaging in any “substantial gainful activity.” Basically this means your disability must be so severe as to prevent you from doing not only the work you performed in the past, but also any other type of work within the national economy. For instance, if a severe back injury prevents you from returning to a job where heavy lifting is involved, you may be able to do a lighter job, and therefore you would not be entitled to Social Security benefits.

Q: If I’m receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, am I entitled to Social Security benefits?

A: Yes, although the Social Security system has a different standard which has to be met, you could receive Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Disability benefits at the same time. However, if you are receiving Workers’ Compensation benefits, the amount that you may be entitled to receive from Social Security will be reduced to count your Workers’ Compensation benefits. Fortunately, both benefits can be coordinated so that you receive the most money possible for your disability.

Q: I’ve been hurt in an automobile or other type of accident where I am suing another party. I have been out of work and am receiving Social Security Disability benefits. If I settle my lawsuit or get a judgment, do I need to reimburse Social Security?

A: No, any reimbursement or set-off is only by Social Security law or regulation. There is no Social Security law which states that an injured person must give up Social Security Disability benefits or pay back Social Security for benefits received if he or she obtains a settlement or judgment from another party.

Q: When should I file for Social Security Disability benefits?

A: A person should file as soon as he or she learns of being unable to work for at least 12 months, or that the condition will lead to death. Initially, most claims for disability benefits are filed by the claimants at the local Social Security office.

Q: When should I hire an attorney?

A: At some period after the initial filing, the claimant should receive a determination either accepting or denying the claim. If the claim is denied the claimant has the right to file a reconsideration and submit any additional relevant information at that time. If the request for reconsideration of the claim is denied, the claimant has the right to file an appeal, which will be heard before an Administrative Law Judge.

A claimant has the right to seek legal advice and to be represented at any time during this entire process, however, the appeal before the Administrative law Judge is the most formal part of the entire process and most claimants, if they have not already done so, seek representation immediately after receiving notice that their request for reconsideration has been denied. It should also be noted that there is no fee for representation unless the claimant is successful and collects benefits.

If you have any questions regarding Social Security benefits, please contact Tim Beaupre at 1-800-451-1002. He will be glad to discuss the matter with you and answer any questions you might have. The initial consultation is free, whether we take your case or not; after that, our fees are contingent upon recovering money for you on your case.

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