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The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) process is hard to manage on your own, so working with a Tucson SSDI lawyer who knows the system can be helpful. Pekas Smith brings more than 30 years of combined experience and has represented more than 10,000 disability clients across Arizona. We guide claimants through every stage of a case, from the initial application to a hearing or appeal.
Understanding SSDI and SSI Benefits
Social Security offers two primary programs for people who can’t work because of a disability:
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI): for individuals who have earned enough work credits through Social Security taxes and now have a disabling condition that prevents them from working.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI): a need-based program for people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Qualifying for SSI also qualifies you for Medicaid.
Both programs are meant to help cover necessities such as housing, food, and medical care. A Tucson SSDI lawyer at Pekas Smith can help determine your eligibility for either program, including SSI eligibility.
Additional Benefits: DAC and DWIB Programs
Beyond SSDI and SSI, two additional programs may apply depending on your family circumstances.
Disabled Adult Child (DAC) Benefits
If your disability began before age 22, you may qualify for DAC benefits through a parent’s work record when that parent is deceased, retired, or receiving disability benefits. Pekas Smith can review your eligibility and help document your application.
Disabled Widow and Widower Insurance Benefits (DWIB)
Losing a spouse is difficult enough without also navigating a disability claim. DWIB benefits can provide financial support if you have a qualifying disability and your late spouse had enough work credits. Pekas Smith can determine whether you meet the requirements and guide you through the process.
SSDI, SSI, DAC, and DWIB at a Glance
| Program | Based On | Who Typically Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| SSDI | Your own work credits | Workers with a qualifying disability and enough Social Security tax contributions |
| SSI | Income and resources | People with limited income and resources, regardless of work history |
| DAC | A parent’s work record | Adults disabled before age 22, if a parent is deceased, retired, or receiving disability benefits |
| DWIB | A deceased spouse’s work record | Widows or widowers age 50 to 60 with a qualifying disability |
Common Cases We Handle
Our attorneys handle several disabling conditions for Tucson-area claimants, including:
- Neurological disorders: conditions such as multiple sclerosis that affect the brain and spinal cord, causing fatigue, dizziness, or cognitive impairment.
- Cardiovascular conditions: issues such as heart disease that may require evaluations like electrocardiography to assess severity.
- Musculoskeletal issues: conditions that cause back pain or bone-related problems and limit physical function.
- Sensory impairments: conditions such as visual impairment that affect your ability to work.
- Chronic illnesses: including chronic kidney disease, sickle cell disease, and other conditions that require ongoing treatment and monitoring.
Legal Support at Every Stage
Pekas Smith provides full-service disability representation, including:
- Application assistance: gathering medical records, employment history, and other documentation to build a strong initial application.
- Appeals and hearings representation: if your claim is denied, our attorneys can represent you through reconsideration, the appeals process, hearings before an Administrative Law Judge, and, if necessary, an appeal to the U.S. District Court.
- Medical evidence compilation: we compile the medical evidence your claim needs, including diagnostic imaging, therapy reports, and physician statements. If your treatment involves ongoing nursing care or physical therapy, we document it to reflect your limitations accurately.
- Coordination with healthcare providers: we communicate with your primary care physician, specialists, and therapists to make sure your health records are thoroughly documented.
Why Choose Pekas Smith in Tucson?
As a Tucson SSDI lawyer serving claimants across southern Arizona, Pekas Smith focuses on straightforward, well-documented representation:
- Local hearing office experience. Our attorneys appear at the Tucson hearing office, located at Rio Nuevo Professional Plaza, Suite 265, 201 N. Bonita Avenue. They are familiar with the office’s handling of Social Security Disability hearings.
- Personalized attention. Every case gets individualized support based on your specific circumstances, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- No upfront fees. Pekas Smith works on a contingency basis, so there’s no attorney’s fee unless you win your case.
We also work with Arizona’s Disability Determination Services, the state agency that reviews initial applications, to help make sure your case is properly documented from the start.
Meet Our Arizona Disability Attorneys
Jeremy D. Pekas and Tye Smith co-founded Pekas Smith. Jeremy D. Pekas earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Florida Coastal School of Law. Tye Smith earned his J.D. from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).
Learn more about our attorneys.
Talk to a Tucson SSDI Lawyer About Your Claim
Pekas Smith is based in Phoenix and represents clients throughout Arizona, including those near the Tucson hearing office at Rio Nuevo Professional Plaza, 201 N. Bonita Avenue.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing a denial, reach out for a free consultation, available 24/7. Call 602.962.2818 or contact us online. There’s no fee unless you win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for Social Security Disability benefits?
Eligibility isn’t one-size-fits-all. SSDI requires enough work credits earned through Social Security taxes and a qualifying disability. SSI requires income and resources below specific limits, regardless of work history. A Tucson SSDI lawyer at Pekas Smith can help you gather the documentation each program requires.
What if my SSDI claim is denied?
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal. Our attorneys can represent you through reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, and, if necessary, an appeal to the U.S. District Court.
How does the evaluation process work?
The Social Security Administration evaluates your claim using medical records, physical examinations, and other evidence, including input from your primary care physician, therapy records, and diagnostic tests such as electrocardiography.
Can I receive both SSDI and SSI?
Your work history and financial situation determine whether you qualify for one or both programs. If your SSDI benefit is low enough also to meet SSI’s income and resource limits, you can receive both at the same time, a situation known as concurrent benefits.
Can I work while receiving disability benefits?
Yes. Social Security’s Trial Work Period lets SSDI recipients test their ability to work for a set number of months without losing benefits, as long as they report their earnings and continue to meet the program’s rules. An attorney can help you understand how the rules apply to your situation.
Where are Social Security Disability hearings held for Tucson-area claimants?
Tucson-area hearings are generally held at the Social Security hearing office at Rio Nuevo Professional Plaza, Suite 265, 201 N. Bonita Avenue. Pekas Smith attorneys appear at this office on behalf of clients throughout southern Arizona.
How much does it cost to hire an SSDI lawyer in Tucson?
Pekas Smith works on a contingency basis, so there’s no attorney’s fee unless you win your case. Social Security and Congress regulate how much an attorney can charge, so the fee structure is the same no matter which SSD attorney you choose.
Do I have to travel to Phoenix if my lawyer is based there?
No. Pekas Smith attorneys appear at the Tucson hearing office and meet with clients by phone, video, or in person, so being based in Phoenix doesn’t limit the representation you receive. Many case interactions happen remotely, regardless of where your attorney’s office is located.
