Northern New Jersey Long-Term Disability Attorneys Help Clients Get Benefits

Helping you qualify and recover under insurance plans and Social Security

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Barbara B. Comerford help clients in northern New Jersey collect benefits when they are suffering from a long-term disability (LTD). We deal with insurance companies so you don’t have to. Additionally, we assist clients who are applying for disability benefits under Social Security or making claims against state disability pensions.

Since entering private practice in 1985, Ms. Comerford has made it her mission to approach her clients’ needs with kindness and compassion. Our staff reflects that commitment. Our associates, bilingual paralegals, and legal assistants take the time to listen and assist clients through the maze of forms and bureaucracy that can often overwhelm them. It is our goal is to provide compassionate service and skilled legal representation to our clients.

Helping clients prove disability

In order to recover under any type of LTD policy, you need to prove that you are disabled. This determination is usually based on your inability to work, the opinions of your doctors and whether or not you are undergoing treatment. Our attorneys help clients gather the necessary documentation and proof that they are disabled so they can file claims with their insurer or Social Security. By using vocational experts, we are able to present evidence that your condition makes it difficult or impossible for you to work. We use all possible evidence to prove that your disability is covered and not caused by an excluded or pre-existing condition.

Recovering benefits under private disability insurance

What happens when you pay for benefits yourself, but the insurance company won’t pay your claim? Believe it or not, you may have more protection when you purchase a private disability insurance policy without the “protection” of ERISA. Many states protect consumers against insidious insurance company practices by providing damages for actions taken in bad faith. Similar protections are not presently available under ERISA. We help clients get the benefits they are entitled to under their long-term disability policy. If you have private disability insurance and your insurer has denied your claim, our attorneys can help you appeal this decision.

Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two different disability benefits programs:

• Social Security Disability (SSD) insurance program: As a general rule, to qualify for SSD you must have worked and paid FICA taxes in at least five of the last 10 years before the onset of your disability. You must also provide proof of your disability. If you are deemed eligible for SSD benefits, you are entitled to Medicare benefits for 24 months after the onset of disability and following a waiting period.
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program: To qualify for SSI, a welfare-based entitlement, you will need to establish indigency (lack of funds) and satisfy the same medical proof requirements as SSD. If you are deemed eligible for SSI benefits, you are entitled to Medicaid from the application date with no waiting period.

Both SSI and SSD cases are evaluated by SSA under a five-step Sequential Evaluation Process to determine an applicant’s eligibility. Under certain circumstances, you can qualify for both SSI and SSD. We work with northern New Jersey clients to create complete and well-documented applications. We also guide you through the appeals process that is required in many cases.

Contact us for help getting the benefits you deserve

Recovering benefits from insurance companies or Social Security can be a difficult task. The Law Offices of Barbara B. Comerford has the experience and knowledge to navigate Social Security Administration claims and deal with insurance companies. To learn more about how we can help you get the long-term disability benefits you need, contact our northern New Jersey office by calling 201.345.5193 or using our online form.