If you live in Greensboro, NC, The Bishop Law Firm can help with your Social Security Disability case.
Our attorney, Kimberly D. Bishop, has practiced Social Security Disability in front of the Social Security Administration since 2009.
Attorney Bishop is also a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Social Security Disability Law Specialist.
Our firm does not get paid unless you win, and we offer free case reviews by phone at 919-615-3095. You can also start your free case review online now.
Step One: Call Us
Call The Bishop Law Firm at 919-615-3095 or start your free case review online now!
You do not need an attorney to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits or Supplemental Security Income.
However, having an attorney on your case can improve your chances of winning by helping you understand the process and what the SSA is looking for to approve your claim for Social Security benefits.
Step Two: Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
To apply for Social Security Disability, you must be earning less than the substantial gainful activity threshold from working. SGA in 2025 is $1,620.00 (gross) per month.
If you are making more than that from work, you generally can not file an initial application.
How to apply for disability in North Carolina?
The first step to file a Social Security Disability claim is to call your local Social Security Office at 877-319-3075 to set up an appointment, or you can apply here on the Social Security Administration's website.
For a list of what you need to apply, look here.
In theory, anyone can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
However, the Social Security Administration may refuse to take your application if you are still working, making over SGA, or have too many resources for SSI, and are not otherwise eligible for Social Security Disability Benefits.
Also watch: Who can apply for Social Security Disability?
You may be eligible for SSDI, SSI, or both:
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Eligibility for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is based on your work history.
Each quarter you work translates into a quarter of coverage.
You must be found disabled before your date last insured (DLI) to be found eligible for SSDI. Your DLI is calculated by counting your “quarters of coverage” from your earnings record.
You must have 20 “quarters of coverage” of the last 40 quarters.
Simply put, you must have worked 5 years of the last 10 years (in general). In addition, Adult Disabled Children can be eligible for benefits from one of their parents’ accounts.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a financial need-based program, and you must meet income/asset standards in addition to being found disabled. In 2025, SSI is $967 a month for an individual and $1,450.00 for an eligible couple.
SSI is reduced by the Social Security Administration by 1/3 if you are receiving financial help from others. In NC, SSI recipients are also entitled to Medicaid.
SSI is also available for disabled children and is evaluated under a different standard than adults.
Children must have a medically determinable physical or mental impairment or impairments (including emotional or learning problems) which result in marked and severe functional limitations, and the impairment(s) have lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least 12 months or be expected to result in death.
Child SSI terminates when the child turns 18. The claimant will then have to reapply and be evaluated under the above adult sequential evaluation.
Also read: Keys to Winning Your Social Security Disability Case.
Step 3: Keep your Greensboro Disability attorney informed
After you apply, you must continue to receive medical treatment! If you go anywhere new for treatment, take any new medication, or have any new diagnosis, you need to call us. Let us know so we can forward that information to the Social Security Administration.
After you apply for disability benefits, your case will be sent to DDS (Disability Determination Services) in Raleigh, NC (they cover all of North Carolina). If you are unrepresented, you will need to keep DDS informed of developments in your case.
At DDS, an examiner will be assigned to your case. The examiner may send you forms to fill out and may also send forms to 3rd parties for them to give their opinion about your daily activities.
You must complete these forms as soon as possible and return them to the DDS examiner. In addition, DDS may send you to a consultative examination.
Also read A Look Inside Disability Determination Services
Step 4: Appeal denials!
DDS denies about 70% of the disability applications that they see, so knowing the appeals process is imperative. If you receive a denial, call and let us know as soon as possible so we can work on the appeal, which will take you to the Reconsideration level.
Reconsideration is the same as the initial level, except that another examiner at DDS reviews your case.
Step 5: Get ready for your disability hearing
If you receive a Reconsideration denial, call us so we can appeal to the hearing level. A hearing in front of a Social Security Administrative Law Judge is where you have your best statistical chance of being approved for Social Security Disability benefits.
Hiring experienced attorneys who know Social Security Disability Law is imperative at the hearing level.
Do you need a Greensboro Social Security Attorney?
Appealing denials, gathering all medical records, doctor opinions, and any evidence necessary for your disability claim are all actions that Social Security Disability Lawyers can help you with.
In addition, providing all evidence to DDS and the Administrative Law Judge in a usable form will assist the examiner or judge in making the right decision in Social Security Disability claims.
A hearing with a Social Security Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is where you have your best statistical chance of being approved. Making the correct arguments based on your specific medical condition/medical evidence is imperative.
At The Bishop Law Firm, our dedicated team offers legal help during the whole process.
What is the most that a disability lawyer can charge?
The Social Security Administration sets and pays attorney fees for disability cases. The SSA only pays attorney fees if the client wins their case and there is backpay. If you do not win your case or if there is no backpay, no attorney fees are due.
Currently, SSA allows attorneys to charge 25% of the client’s backpay up to a maximum of $9,200.
For example, if the client attains $10,000 in back pay, the attorney will receive $2,500. If the client receives $100,000 in back pay, the attorney gets $9,200.
If you need a Social Security Disability attorney, The Bishop Law Firm handles Social Security Disability cases at any level and is willing to assist you throughout your disability case.
We do not get paid unless you win! Call us today for a free case evaluation at (919) 615-3095 or start your free case review now!
Also read: NC Social Security Disability Lawyer
