SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY IN KISSIMMEE

Qualifying for SSD isn’t just about being sick or injured; it’s about meeting the SSA’s (Social Security Administration) strict definition of disability. To be approved, your condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 months, and the SSA must agree that you cannot perform your previous job or transition into another type of work.

Common qualifying disabilities in Kissimmee and across Florida include:

• Back, spine, and joint disorders
• Heart disease and respiratory illnesses
• Severe mental health disorders
• Neurological disorders such as seizures or MS
• Autoimmune conditions
• Certain cancers and chronic medical conditions

Many conditions are not listed in the SSA's “Blue Book.” If yours isn’t listed, you may still qualify if your limitations prevent you from working. This is where strong medical evidence becomes essential.

For SSDI, you must have earned enough “work credits” through your employment history. Think of them as your contributions to the system through payroll taxes. Most workers need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years, though the exact number depends on your age.

Florida residents must also satisfy:

• The Recent Work Test: You must have worked a certain number of years before becoming disabled.
• The Duration of Work Test: You must have worked for a sufficient amount of time in your lifetime to qualify.

If you don’t meet the work-credit requirement, you may still qualify for Social Security Insurance (SSI), a needs-based program for people with limited income or work history. The two programs are often confused, but they have significant differences, including how benefits are calculated and the type of medical evidence required for eligibility.

Backlogs vary depending on where your case is reviewed. That’s why it’s crucial to file correctly the first time and avoid avoidable errors that cause delays. When you hire our Kissimmee team, we help track deadlines, respond to SSA inquiries, handle communication with examiners, and keep your claim moving.

Strong evidence is the backbone of any SSD claim. Missing or incomplete documentation is one of the most common reasons people in Kissimmee get denied.

You’ll need:

• Medical records from all treating doctors
• Imaging results, labs, and diagnostic tests
• Medication history
• Work history and job descriptions
• A detailed list of limitations (physical and mental)
• Proof of income and tax history (for SSDI)
• Financial documents (for SSI eligibility)

Our attorneys help organize, submit, and verify this evidence to avoid gaps that SSA examiners often seize upon.

Florida denial rates remain higher than the national average. Some of the most common reasons include:

• Insufficient medical records
• Failure to follow prescribed treatment
• The examiner believes you can still work
• Errors or inconsistencies in the application
• Lack of support from your treating doctor
• Earning over the income limit
• Conditions that aren’t expected to last 12 months

Even strong claims can be denied for technical reasons. A denial isn’t the end—it’s often just the beginning of the process.

Yes, and you should. The majority of people who eventually win benefits do so after appealing their case.

In Kissimmee, the SSD appeals process typically includes four stages:

Reconsideration

A different SSA examiner reviews your case. We submit additional evidence and address the issues raised in your initial denial.

Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge

This is the most important stage. Your attorney presents your case, questions experts, and argues why you meet the disability criteria. Approval rates are highest here.

Appeals Council

If the judge denies your claim, the Council will review whether the decision followed SSA rules. They may remand the case for a new hearing.

Federal Lawsuit

As a last resort, you may file a lawsuit in federal court.

Morgan & Morgan routinely handles all appeal levels and prepares cases with the strongest record possible so clients have the best chance at approval.

Once you’re approved, SSD back pay is generally issued after the Social Security Administration finishes processing your award, but the exact timing can vary from case to case. Back pay is intended to compensate for the months you were eligible for benefits while your claim was being reviewed.

It’s usually calculated based on:

• Your established onset date
• When you filed your application
• The SSA’s waiting period for SSDI
• The length of time your claim and any appeals were pending

For many clients, this back pay can make up a substantial portion of their overall disability benefit recovery.

Yes, but your SSD benefits may be reduced depending on the amount of workers’ compensation you receive. The combined total cannot exceed 80% of your pre-disability income.

Our attorneys help calculate this offset and structure your benefits to minimize the impact of the loss.

SSD benefits can also interact with:

• VA disability benefits
• Private disability insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability policies

Understanding how these systems overlap can prevent benefit reductions or accidental overpayments.

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe everyone deserves high-quality representation, regardless of their financial situation. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. Federal law also limits the amount of compensation that attorneys can collect in approved Social Security disability cases.

The standard fee structure is:

• 25% of your back-pay award, capped at $7,200 (unless the case requires additional work in federal court)
• No fees are ever taken from your ongoing monthly benefits

SSD laws are federal, but disability cases are still impacted by local examiners, judges, review offices, and hearing backlogs. Our Kissimmee attorneys understand:

• Common denial patterns in Central Florida
• How local judges approach certain medical conditions
• How to build a record that supports a strong appeal
• The types of evidence examiners reject most often
• Local medical providers and how to obtain complete records

Having America’s Largest Injury Law Firm behind you, plus attorneys who know exactly how Central Florida handles disability claims, gives your case a powerful advantage.

Applying for SSD on your own can be overwhelming. We help by:

• Reviewing your medical and work history
• Gathering missing documentation and test results
• Preparing you for SSA interviews or evaluations
• Speaking with examiners on your behalf
• Building a strong legal theory for your disability
• Obtaining supporting statements from doctors
• Presenting medical evidence clearly and strategically
• Representing you at hearings
• Filing appeals quickly and correctly

For many Kissimmee clients, having our team step in is the turning point after months or years of frustration.

Whether you’re applying for the first time, waiting on a decision, or facing a denial, you don’t have to take on the SSD system alone. Morgan & Morgan fights for injured and disabled people every day, and our Kissimmee team is ready to help you pursue the benefits you’ve earned.

If your disability prevents you from working, take the first step today: fill out a free, no-obligation case review and learn how we can fight for your Social Security Disability benefits.