Golding Recovery

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SSDI is a federal program that provides financial assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a qualifying disability and have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes.

You must have a medical condition that meets Social Security’s definition of disability and have earned enough work credits through employment.

You can apply online at SSA.gov, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office.

You’ll need personal identification, work history, medical records, and contact information for your healthcare providers.

A disability is a medical condition that prevents substantial gainful activity and is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

SGA refers to a level of work activity and earnings. In 2024, earning more than $1,550/month (non-blind) or $2,590/month (blind) may disqualify you.

Initial decisions typically take 6 to 8 months, but the timeline can vary depending on case complexity and evidence.

You can appeal the decision through four levels: reconsideration, hearing by an administrative law judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court. You must utilize each level of appeal.

It’s the first level of appeal where a different SSA reviewer examines your claim and any new evidence.

It’s a formal proceeding before an administrative law judge where you can present evidence and testimony.

You are not required to have one, but many applicants choose to work with an attorney or EDPNA to improve their chances.

SSA requires objective medical records, treatment history, diagnostic tests, and statements from treating physicians.

Yes, but your earnings must remain below the SGA threshold to maintain eligibility.

Work credits are earned based on your income and work history. Most people need 40 credits, 20 of which were earned in the last 10 years.

Benefits begin after a 5-month waiting period from the onset date of your disability.

Yes, SSDI may pay retroactive benefits for up to 12 months prior to your application date if you were disabled during that time.

DDS is a state agency that reviews medical evidence and makes the initial disability determination.

The Blue Book is SSA’s listing of impairments that automatically qualify for disability if criteria are met.

Yes, conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia may qualify if they meet SSA’s criteria.

SSA periodically reviews your case to determine if you still meet the disability requirements.

Yes, if your income and resources are limited, you may qualify for both programs.

Yes, you become eligible for Medicare after receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months.

Yes, certain family members may qualify for auxiliary benefits based on your SSDI record.

Your SSDI benefits continue regardless of where you live in the U.S.

You can check online at SSA.gov or call the Social Security office handling your claim.

Individuals seeking to apply for benefits can file an application on-line by visiting www.SSA.gov or your local branch office.  Applications generally take 6-8 months to process and can be subject to delays or a denial with incomplete information, non-disclosure of records, non-cooperation, non-attendance at a hearing or appointment or a non-qualifying disability or insufficient earning history.  It is advisable to create a Social Security account to check on your application and/or estimate future benefits.

Reference https://faq.ssa.gov/en-us/Topic/article/KA-01801

To locate a field office

https://www.ssa.gov/locator/

Create an account, apply for benefits, check the status of an application, change your address or direct deposit

https://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/

Managing your benefits, reporting earnings, making changes and planning or repayment

https://www.ssa.gov/manage-

Requesting a Social Security statement

https://www.ssa.gov/help/global_statement7004.

Publications

https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/

Finding a form

https://www.ssa.gov/forms/

Facts & Figures

https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/index.html

Appeal process

https://www.ssa.gov/apply/appeal-decision-we-made

Deciding on legal representation or professional non-attorney representation is an individual choice.  Everyone should decide on their own merits whether they want to utilize professional representation or try the application or appeal on their own.  However, consider the statistical data on denials on applications and appeals, and ask yourself, are you comfortable taking the chance to doing the application or appeal on your own?   Perhaps you decided to hire an attorney to represent you after several months of applying and exhausting an appeal.  Here is where we are different.  One, we would prefer to represent you on day one and get things done right the first time around.  Two, we are not in the business of making fortunes hand over fist.  We care about the people we decide to represent and seek only to provide first in class non-attorney representation.  Three, we will only work on the application or first 2 layers of appeals and therefore, our labor costs are contained and those savings are passed onto the clients we represent.  

The company was originally founded as Golding Adjusting in 2010 to provide insurance claim adjusting services to insurance companies and provide first-party representation to policyholders on fire and theft related losses.  In late 2023, the managing director, Gary Golding, decided to take the company in a new direction and provide non-attorney representation for people filing an application for Social Security disability or appealing a Social Security denial.  Mr. Golding is a qualified eligible direct payee non-attorney ("EDPNA") representative and allowed to represent individuals before the Social Security Administration.