If you have experienced an injury, illness, or condition that has made you unable to continue working, you may be thinking about applying for Social Security disability benefits. Or perhaps you have already applied and your claim has been denied. You don’t have to go through this alone. Working with an experienced Murphysboro, Illinois disability lawyer can increase your chances of a successful outcome. Since 2001, I have been guiding clients through every step of the process of applying for and getting Social Security disability benefits.

Every client gets our personalized attention

My Illinois Social Security law firm has handled disability cases since 2001, and has focused exclusively on Social Security disability claims since 2008, and we have assisted hundreds of people with their claims. We also accept Veterans‘ cases. Every day, my staff and I assist people in their efforts to get the benefits they deserve, benefits they worked hard for and contributed to with every paycheck during their working years. My office is staffed by skilled team members whose only job is to answer clients’ questions and help develop their Social Security files. My staff and I get to know all our clients as individuals. As our client, you will also get to know us because you will speak with the same staff members every time you contact us.

Our office is on the courthouse square in the small town where we live. We know the local doctors and the Social Security field offices well. Our offices have been renovated to be accessible to everyone. Parking spaces at the rear of the building are reserved for clients, and there is a ramp to meet accessibility needs. If you have transportation problems, we can help you solve them. If you are homebound or live outside of the Jackson County area, we are happy to make special arrangements to meet with you.

Help finding community resources

I have great compassion for those who are struggling financially while they wait for a favorable decision on their claims. Because the claims process can be a lengthy one, I help my clients identify community resources to help them with their financial and medical needs while they await a decision on their claim.

If you are not already represented by a disability lawyer and would like an evaluation of your case, please describe your claim using the form to the right, and I will respond promptly. Or you may contact me.

Joni Beth Bailey

 Murphysboro disability lawyer

1008 Walnut Street

Murphysboro, Illinois 62966

Call: 888-296-6893

As a Kentucky disability lawyer, I am often asked how Social Security determines whether a person is disabled. When you apply for Social Security disability benefits, the Kentucky Social Security Administration follows a 5-step process for determining whether you meet their definition of “disabled.” The steps are followed in sequence.

First step: Are you engaged in “substantial gainful activity“?

If you are gainfully employed, you are, by definition, not disabled. If you earned more than a set amount (called the “federal benefit rate”) in any month during the period you claim you were disabled, then you are gainfully employed and not eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

Second step: Do you have a severe medical impairment?

If your impairment has lasted or will last at least 12 months or is expected to result in death, and if you can do significantly less than you could before your illness, injury, or condition began, your impairment meets the definition of “severe,” and the analysis proceeds to the next step.

Third step: Does your impairment meet or equal the Listing of Impairments?

The Social Security Administration has an official list of all medically recognized disabilities, called the “Listing of Impairments.” If your impairment matches one on the official list, or is equivalent to a listed impairment, then Social Security will determine that you are disabled.

Fourth step: Can you still do “past relevant work“?

If your illness, injury, or condition does not meet or equal the Listing of Impairments, then the Social Security Administration asks whether you can still do any of the jobs you have done during the past 15 years. If you can, you are not disabled because you can return to the kind of work you did in the past. If you can no longer perform even the easiest job you had during the previous 15 years, the Social Security Administration will proceed to the last step of their analysis.

Fifth step: Can you do any other work?

If your illness, injury, or condition prevents you from doing any of the work you have done in the last 15 years, the Social Security Administration will determine whether there are jobs that are generally available in the national economy that you can perform. In making this determination, the Social Security Administration factors in your age, education, and work experience. If you can transfer your job skills to other work, you are not disabled.

Kentucky disability lawyer helps clients prove they are disabled

I know that the prospect of applying for Social Security disability benefits with the Kentucky Social Security Administration can be daunting, but help is only a phone call away. As a Kentucky disability lawyer, I have helped hundreds of disabled claimants in southern Illinois, southwestern Indiana, northwestern Kentucky, and southeastern Missouri win disability benefits. My law practice is focused on Social Security disability claims, and I can help you at any stage of the claims process to get the benefits you deserve.