If you are a worker who has sustained an injury that renders you either permanently disability or unable to perform the essential duties of your job for at least one full year, you may qualify to receive social security disability in Knoxville, TN.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires you to meet income and work credit criteria as well as provide substantial medical documentation that supports your disability claim. In considering your case, the SSA will look at your ability to perform not just the duties of your last known position, but your ability to perform the duties of any sort of gainful employment in which you can earn at least $1,550 per month. Once you have submitted an application to the SSA, the department will review your non-medical information before sending your case file to the Tennessee Disability Determination Services (DDS) for medical review. The DDS will request your medical records from your treating physician and use the information contained in your records to make a determination on the severity of your disability. If the DDS finds that there is sufficient evidence in your medical file to support your Knoxville social security disability claim, it will notify the SSA of your eligibility. If there is not enough information, your claim may be denied.
On a national scale, only about one-third of initial SSD claims are awarded. In Tennessee, the number is closer to one-quarter. If your Knoxville social security disability claim is denied, you may appeal the decision within 60 days of receiving the decision letter.
Health Resources in the Knoxville Area
Your Knoxville social security disability case depends heavily on your medical records. As such, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as you are injured and continue treatment for your disability throughout the Knoxville SSD application and review process. If you are uninsured or under-insured, there are free and reduced-cost health care facilities available to service you.
Free Medical Clinic of America
6209 Chapman Highway
Knoxville, TN 37920
(865) 577-3733
Interfaith Health Clinic
315 Gill Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 546.7330
Knox County Health Department
140 Dameron Ave
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 215-5000
Remote Area Medical Foundation
1834 Beech Street
Knoxville, TN 37920
1-877-5RAMUSA OR 865-579-1530
Mental Health Resources in Knoxville
If you are in need of treatment for a mental illness that prevents you from performing the duties of your job, you may qualify for Knoxville social security disability benefits. Get the help of a licensed mental health professional in the Knoxville area.
Helen Ross McNabb Center
201 West Springdale Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 637-9711
Mental Health Association of East Tennessee
9050 Executive Park Dr # 104A
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 584-9125
Covenant Health
6800 Baum Drive
Knoxville, TN 37919
(865) 970-9800
Knoxville Supplemental Social Security Benefits
The Federal social security disability benefit for an independent individual is $943 and $1,415 for a couple. The state of Tennessee does not pay a separate supplemental benefit to individuals that qualify for social security disability.
When to Find a Knoxville Social Security Disability Attorney
If you are disabled and unable to work, a long application and review period on your Knoxville social security disability claim can cause unnecessary financial hardship to you and your family. Very often people don’t seek legal counsel until after their initial claim has been denied. You have the right to hire a Knoxville social security disability attorney at any point during application and review process. Having the guidance of a Tennessee SSD lawyer can help get you through the process more quickly.
A Knoxville SSD attorney will often provide a free initial consultation. If your attorney wins, a standard fee of 25% of your award is collected from past due benefits or through a fee petition. The maximum amount an attorney can collect for representing you in an SSD case is $6,000.
