Social Security Disability - O'Donnell Law https://odonnell-law.com Sun, 22 Feb 2026 23:46:20 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://odonnell-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Social Security Disability - O'Donnell Law https://odonnell-law.com 32 32 SSI vs. SSDI: What’s the Difference in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton? https://odonnell-law.com/2026/02/22/ssi-vs-ssdi-whats-the-difference-in-wilkes-barre-and-scranton/ Sun, 22 Feb 2026 19:28:37 +0000 https://odonnell-law.com/?p=11276 If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton, one of the first questions you may have is: what’s the difference between SSI and SSDI? Although the acronyms look similar, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social … Read More

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If you’re considering applying for Social Security Disability benefits in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton, one of the first questions you may have is: what’s the difference between SSI and SSDI?

Although the acronyms look similar, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are two very different programs — with different eligibility rules, income requirements, and work history considerations.

What Is SSDI?

SSDI is an insurance-based program. If you’ve worked and paid Social Security taxes, you may have earned enough “quarter credits” to qualify.

  • You must have sufficient work credits (typically 20 of the last 40 quarters).
  • There is no strict income or asset cap like SSI.
  • Eligibility is based primarily on your work history and disability.

For many workers in Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Luzerne County, and Lackawanna County, SSDI is the primary disability program if they have built up enough credits.

What Is SSI?

SSI is a needs-based program. It is designed for individuals who are disabled but do not have enough work credits to qualify for SSDI.

  • No prior work history required.
  • Strict income limits apply.
  • Assets are reviewed (generally a $2,000 limit for individuals, excluding home and primary vehicle).

Income for SSI purposes is broader than just wages. The Social Security Administration may consider:

  • Part-time earnings
  • Money from family members
  • Free or reduced housing
  • Food assistance
  • Monthly stipends

The Disability Standard Is the Same

Whether you apply for SSI or SSDI, the medical standard for disability is the same. Your condition must be medically determinable and supported by objective evidence.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Two people with the same diagnosis may qualify differently based on age, work history, and functional limitations.

What Happens If Your Application Is Denied?

If your application is denied, you generally have 65 days from the date of the denial letter to file an appeal.

  1. Reconsideration
  2. Administrative Law Judge Hearing
  3. Further appeals if necessary

Strong medical documentation and understanding Social Security regulations are critical at the appeal stage.

Applying for SSI or SSDI in Northeastern Pennsylvania

If you’re applying for Social Security Disability benefits in Wilkes-Barre or Scranton, understanding which program applies to you can prevent delays and costly mistakes.

If you would like your case evaluated, contact O’Donnell Law Offices to discuss your options.

About the Author

Joshua Perry is a personal injury and disability attorney serving Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Before becoming a lawyer, he spent 11 years as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, giving him firsthand insight into the serious medical conditions and injuries his clients face. A Back Mountain native, Joshua earned his nursing degree from Wilkes University and his law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.

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]]> What To Do If My Social Security Benefits Get Denied https://odonnell-law.com/2022/02/25/what-to-do-if-my-social-security-benefits-get-denied/ Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:00:43 +0000 https://www.odonnell-law.com/?p=3656 If you have earned your social security benefits only to be denied access when you actually need them, it can feel like a slap in the face. We understand that you worked hard to earn these benefits and here at … Read More

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]]> If you have earned your social security benefits only to be denied access when you actually need them, it can feel like a slap in the face. We understand that you worked hard to earn these benefits and here at the O’Donnell Law Firm, we want to make sure that you get the benefits that you are legally entitled to when you need them. This process can be daunting, and ultimately every case is unique. If you would like personalized feedback based on your individual issue or case, you are welcome to contact the O’Donnell Law Firm to schedule a consultation.

Appealing a Social Security Disability Benefits Decision

If your initial application for disability benefits was denied by the SSA, try not to take it personally. You are not alone. The denial rates for first time applications is actually quite high. Appealing the decision automatically increases your odds of receiving benefits. Another smart step to take is consulting with a social security disability benefits attorney who can help you by ensuring that the SSA has all the information and evidence that they need to make a decision in your claim. An attorney can also ensure that no costly mistakes are made and that the application is complete and ready for review, avoiding any unnecessary delays due to a lack of appropriate documentation. An attorney can represent you throughout the process and appeal on your behalf.

The Social Security Disability Appeals Process

After receiving a denial on your initial benefits application, it’s important to act quickly and be proactive. You have 60 days from the date of their decision to file an appeal. You can request an appeal on the SSA website. Many people make the mistake of stopping there, and simply requesting an appeal without submitting any additional information. This is an important time to stop and determine the cause of your denial and make sure that you are remedying that with supplemental documentation, otherwise you will likely receive a similar outcome. This can also be a pivotal time to consult with an attorney to get a better understanding of your case and what evidence or documentation may be needed to secure an approval. For instance, your application may have been denied because you did not include a copy of your birth certificate, or they may need more medical documentation to determine that you are disabled, both of which can be remedied the second time around when the application is reconsidered.

Talk to a Pennsylvania Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney

If you have become disabled and are struggling to get the benefits that you are legally entitled to, the experienced personal injury and social security disability attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Firm are ready to help. Schedule a free initial consultation with the  social security disability attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.

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]]> Preparing for Your Initial Consultation with a Social Security Disability Lawyer https://odonnell-law.com/2020/11/20/preparing-for-your-initial-consultation-with-a-social-security-disability-lawyer/ Fri, 20 Nov 2020 11:00:55 +0000 https://www.odonnell-law.com/?p=2385 Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be stressful, especially as most people are denied on their first attempt. If your initial application was denied, you should not give up on getting benefits. Hiring an experienced Social Security Disability … Read More

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]]> Applying for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits can be stressful, especially as most people are denied on their first attempt. If your initial application was denied, you should not give up on getting benefits. Hiring an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer can help improve your chances of being approved for SSD benefits.

Choosing the right attorney is imperative, which is why you need to prepare for your initial consultation with each attorney. Taking notes and asking the right questions can help you narrow down your options to help you choose the lawyer that’s right for you.

Meet with the Right Attorneys

Start by looking for attorneys who have specific experience handling Social Security Disability claims. It is a very specialized area of practice, and you need someone who understands the nuances of the application process. Otherwise, you could still have your claim denied on appeal. You wouldn’t hire a divorce lawyer to represent you for a felony criminal case, would you? The same applies here. You want an attorney who handles SSD claims regularly.

Ask the Right Questions

Asking the right questions is one of the most important things you can do when meeting with attorneys. You can compare each attorney’s answers, which can help you choose the best Kingston Social Security Disability benefits lawyer. It would help if you asked targeted questions about their experience, including how many cases like yours they’ve handled. Ask about their success rate and how long they’ve been practicing.

You should also confirm that the attorney you are meeting with is the person who will be handling your case. It’s not uncommon for larger firms to have you meet with one attorney at the consultation but assign it to someone else in the firm. If they say your case will be assigned to another attorney, ask to meet that attorney.

Discuss Billing

One of the most important conversations to have with your attorney is about billing. You want to find out whether they work on a contingency basis or charge by the hour. You don’t want to assume that a firm works on a contingency basis only to find out they don’t, and you can’t afford their billing rates.

Bring Pertinent Information

You can streamline your consultation by bringing any helpful information about your case. You want to bring anything that can help an attorney learn more about your case and disability. That can include medical reports, a list of medications you are on, employment history documentation, and any other documentation that supports your application for Social Security Disability benefits. If you already applied for benefits and received a denial, make sure to bring all your paperwork and denial letters as well.

Contact Our Social Security Disability Benefits Attorneys

Choosing the right attorney for your SSD application or appeal is critical. Otherwise, you might lose out on benefits you are entitled to receive. If you need assistance with an SSD benefits claim, let us help.

Schedule a free initial consultation with the Social Security Disability benefits attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton, and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.

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