Social Security disability representation for Memphis adults
Memphis, TN Disability Lawyers for SSDI and SSI
Downard & Associates represents adults in Memphis with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications, reconsideration requests, and administrative hearings. We work with clients by phone and video. Your next step depends on where your claim stands. Have any Social Security decision or hearing notice available, along with a brief treatment and work history, so we can discuss your case and explain the next step.
How We Help With Memphis Disability Applications and Appeals
For SSI, we also address the financial information the application requires.
We explain the next step and help prepare the information your SSDI or SSI claim needs. Our work changes with the stage of the case.
Initial application: We help prepare the filing, organize treatment and work history, and gather initial medical evidence. For SSI, we also address the financial information the application requires.
After an initial denial: We review the reasons Social Security gave, request reconsideration, and add relevant medical or financial information.
After a reconsideration denial: We prepare the record, help you prepare for testimony, and represent you at the administrative law judge hearing.
We handle SSDI cases for people who currently receive VA benefits, but we do not handle VA claims or appeals. We do not take disability cessation or continuing disability review cases, or new cases involving back-pay issues alone. We refer federal court appeals to a trusted affiliate rather than handling them in-house.
Memphis Social Security Offices and Your Disability Appeal
The Social Security Administration (SSA) Tennessee office list identifies Memphis DT, Memphis North, and Memphis South. Its hearing-office directory lists the corresponding Memphis field-office service areas under the Memphis hearing office.
The distinction matters beyond the city limits. SSA's hearing office locator lists Dyersburg and Union City under Memphis, while Jackson and Selmer appear under Franklin. The nearest building or a West Tennessee address alone does not establish which office will handle your appeal.
Use your SSA correspondence for your case's office information. Our hearing-office guide explains the field-office relationship and keeps the detailed assignments in one place.
A Memphis Notice Check Before Your Next Step
For a scheduled hearing, record the date, time, and instructions for attending.
Make one working sheet from your current papers. Keep the original notices, since a summary does not replace their instructions.
Decision and receipt: Record whether the paper is an initial determination, a reconsidered determination, or a hearing notice. Include its date and when it arrived.
Office and appearance: Note the office shown on the correspondence. For a scheduled hearing, record the date, time, and instructions for attending.
Treatment and work: List your treatment sources, approximate visit dates, recent jobs, and the tasks your condition limits. Note records you do not yet have.
Contact details: While a hearing request is pending, keep your mailing address, phone number, and email address current with the hearing office.
SSDI and SSI Eligibility for Memphis Adults
Duration rule
12months
SSDI generally requires enough recent work covered by Social Security and a condition that meets SSA's disability standard. The work-credit requirements depend on your age when the disability began.
SSI has separate income and resource rules and does not require the same insured-work record as SSDI. Adults must also meet its age, blindness, or disability criteria and other eligibility requirements.
For an adult claim based on disability, SSA considers whether your condition prevents work at the substantial gainful activity level, whether you can do your past work, and whether you can adjust to other work under its rules.
The condition must also have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 consecutive months or result in death. You do not have to wait a year to apply. SSA's application guidance says not to delay because documents are missing. Our Tennessee disability page covers the statewide process.
Appealing a Memphis Disability Denial
Deadline
60days
After an initial SSDI or SSI denial, the next step is generally a request for reconsideration. After an unfavorable reconsideration determination, you can request an administrative law judge hearing. At either stage, the written request is generally due within 60 days after you receive the notice.
SSA ordinarily presumes receipt five days after the notice date unless you show you did not receive it within that period. For a late request, ask for an extension in writing and explain the delay. SSA decides whether you have shown good cause; an extension is not automatic. Read the notice's instructions rather than treating every letter as having the same deadline.
Attending Your Memphis Disability Hearing
SSA describes four ways to attend a hearing: in person at an SSA office, such as a hearing office or permanent remote site, by telephone audio, by agency video using SSA equipment, or by online video using a personal device. The Notice of Ways to Attend explains how to object to audio or agency video and how to agree to online video.
Your Notice of Hearing gives the scheduled date, time, and method. A phone or video meeting with Downard is separate from the hearing itself. Review and return any appearance forms as instructed.
Questions About Memphis SSDI and SSI Claims
Which Memphis Social Security field office handles my claim?
Check the office shown on your correspondence or use SSA's field-office locator. Memphis has separate field offices, so the city name alone is not enough to identify the office serving your address.
Does a Memphis hearing-office assignment require an in-person hearing?
No. A Memphis hearing-office assignment does not by itself require you to attend in person. Your hearing notices explain the attendance options, forms, and scheduled method for your case.
What if my initial SSDI or SSI denial arrived late?
Keep the notice and record when you received it. Reconsideration is generally due within 60 days after receipt; SSA presumes receipt five days after the notice date unless you show later receipt. If the request is late, ask for more time in writing and explain the delay. SSA must find good cause.
Can I seek disability benefits before 12 months have passed?
Yes. The disability rule includes a condition expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or result in death. It does not require waiting a year to apply. You still need to meet the other requirements of the program.
Can Downard help if I receive VA benefits?
We handle SSDI cases for people who currently receive VA benefits. We do not handle VA benefit claims or appeals. Social Security makes its own decision under its rules, so a VA benefit alone does not establish SSDI eligibility.
Discuss Your Memphis SSDI or SSI Claim
Contact Downard & Associates to talk through your application, denial, or upcoming hearing. We can discuss your claim by phone or video and explain the next step.