Social Security Disability Attorney
TAMPA | St. Petersburg | Clearwater
Social Security Disability Lawyers fighting for the Disabled to obtain the benefits they deserve.
Disability Attorneys in Tampa Bay Florida - Anderson & Ackerman Law Group
The Social Security Administration, or SSA for short, runs two programs that provide benefits to disabled people. They are (1) Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI, and (2) Social Security Disability Insurance or Disability Insurance Benefits, also known as SSD or DIB. These programs give benefits, in the form of monthly payments, to people with physical or mental impairments that prevent them from being able to work and support themselves. Unfortunately, many people get denied at some point in the process when they apply for benefits. If your application for benefits has been denied or you need help getting started, our social security disability attorneys in Tampa, FL at Anderson & Ackerman Law Group are here for you to guide you through the process and fight tirelessly on your behalf.
How Does Applying for Social Security Benefits Work?
It starts by submitting an application for disability benefits under one of the two programs where you state your medical conditions and treatment and work history. This application is often called your “claim.” Your claim will be reviewed and a decision on whether you are disabled or not will be issued by the Social Security Administration. If you are denied benefits and found not disabled, you have 60 days to appeal so it is important to have knowledgeable legal representation to make sure all deadlines are met and appeals are submitted. There are a few levels a claim can go through.
Initial application
A disability examinations officer will conduct a review of your claim with medical evidence and work history and issue a decision.
Reconsideration
If denied, you can request the decision be reconsidered. A disability examinations officer at Social Security will do another review of your claim to see if you qualify for benefits.
Hearing
If your reconsideration request is denied, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge where you can provide your own testimony. It is best to have an experienced disability representative with you at this stage.
appeals council review
If the judge does not rule in your favor, you can ask the Appeals Council to review the judge’s decision and possibly get a new hearing or new outcome.
federal court appeal
If the Appeals Council will not review your case, or they agree with the judge and you are denied again, you can appeal the decision in federal court.
do it with an experienced disability attorney by your side.
This is your Chance to fight for the benefits you NEED and DESERVE.
do it with an experienced disability lawyer by your side.
How Can a Disability Attorney Help Me?
At Anderson & Ackerman Law Group, we strive to provide personalized, thoughtful, and strong representation to all of your clients. We can help you at every stage of the claims process and in federal court. A few of the things we do are:
Initial Consultation: Your disability lawyer will provide an initial consultation to evaluate your case. They will review your medical records, work history, and other relevant information to determine the strength of your claim and the likelihood of success.
Program Determination: Based on your work history and financial situation, our attorneys will determine which disability program you should apply for, SSI or SSD.
Application: We handle your completing and submitting your application, ensuring that the necessary forms are completed accurately and all important medical documentation and supporting evidence is included.
Medical Evidence: As your disability attorney, we will work with you to gather and organize your medical records, test results, and expert opinions from medical professionals. This allows for us to ensure that all relevant evidence to support your disability claim is presented on your behalf and that SSA has a full picture of your problems and why you cannot work.
Developing the Legal Argument: Analyzing your case, identifying the legal arguments that best support your claim, and developing a strategy to present your case effectively are key aspects that a Tampa Disability Lawyer will help you with. We will use our knowledge of disability law and regulations to build a strong argument on your behalf.
Appeals: If your initial disability claim is denied, we will file necessary appeals, help gather additional evidence, point out the flaws in the denials, and prepare you for hearings or consultations.
Hearings: We represent you during your hearing before an administrative law judge and help them see what your medical problems are and why they make you unable to work. We give the judge a face to the claim by helping them know you beyond the black and white of your medical records that often leave out key information.
Hearing Preparation: We prepare you for any hearing you are to have so you are not scared and you know what to expect. We work to build trust with you throughout our representation so you feel confident in our ability to advocate on your behalf when we step into that hearing.
Expert Witnesses: We work with and analyze medical or vocational experts who provide expert testimony or evaluations regarding your claim. These medical experts typically offer their expert opinions on the severity of your condition, your ability to work, and the impact of your disability on your daily life.
Federal Court Representation: If your case reaches the federal district court level, your Tampa Disability attorney can represent you in court, advocate for justice, present your case before the federal judge and argue for a new hearing on your claim.
faq
The social security claims process can be confusing and frustrating when you face it alone. These are some of the most common questions we hear, and hopefully this information can help you.
But you do not need to face this process alone.
A disability attorney experienced in social security claims can help keep things simple while fighting for the benefits that you need and deserve.
contact us today for a free consultation
This will depend on your work history and your financial circumstances. A detailed description of the two programs and their separate criteria is discussed here. Our attorneys can review your records and determine which program you should be filing under. Contact us today!
There is a five-step evaluation process used by SSA to determine if someone is disabled. We discuss it here in detail. The facts and circumstances of each case are different, so contact us to discuss how your impairments would be evaluated.
Most decisions by the Social Security Administration can be appealed within 60 days. Our attorneys can review your denial and advise you on what you can do next in your case.
A wide range of conditions are eligible for social security disability, including physical impairments, mental disorders, chronic illnesses, neurological disorders, cancer and serious medical conditions, intellectual or developmental disorders, sensory impairments, and more. Speak with us at Anderson & Ackerman Law Group to discuss your conditions in detail.
This can vary based on several factors not limited to the number of treatment providers you see, the amount of records you have, the workload at the local social security office reviewing your claim, the workload of the judge handling your hearing, the operating procedures of a new presidential administration, and more. The process can take many months, but an experienced disability advocate can help you navigate every stage and keep your claim moving so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.
If you are able to work you should always work. Working can impact your application for benefits or if you already receive benefits if it rises to substantial gainful activity. This should be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Contact our attorneys to discuss your situation.
You are already battling physical and mental impairments every day, and this is a complex process. From the very beginning with filing your application, at any point you receive a denial, if you ever have a question you cannot answer, or if you get frustrated or overwhelmed at any point — an experienced disability lawyer can get you through it with ease and a weight off your back. This is what we do every day and this is what we are here for. We help disabled people navigate this system and secure the benefits they deserve and we want to fight for you too.
As a Tampa Disability Attorney, our fee is limited to 25% of the past-due benefits you are awarded, with a maximum cap of $9,200 as of 2025. We are paid directly by SSA and we are only paid if we win your claim for benefits and your are found disabled. You do not pay us any retainer fees to open your case.
If we win your case in federal court, we are paid under the Equal Access to Justice Act by the government, and may be awarded a percentage of your past-due benefits, which must be ordered by a judge.
We have been representing disabled individuals in the Tampa Bay Area for over 40 years. We are also a family, on any given day 4 generations of our family are at our office, working together to help our clients (well, maybe not our members still in diapers!). We will treat you like a person and not like a number, and you will feel that your case is handled with the care and attention we would want given to our own family. Learn more about us here!