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Minnesota Social Security Disability Lawyers
Helping disabled residents obtain the SSDI and SSI benefits they deserve
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is a form of insurance that compensates workers who have enough work credits and who cannot work due to their disability. SSDI is different from Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI helps people with no or limited income meet some of their essential needs. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we understand the legal and practical issues involved in filing for SSDI and SSI benefits if you have a disability.
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How can we help you?
- Am I eligible for SSDI benefits in Minnesota?
- How do you help show that I qualify for SSDI benefits?
- What benefits can I receive if I’m eligible for SSDI?
- Do any of my family members or defendants qualify for SSDI benefits through me?
- Disability and SSI
- Do you have a Minnesota Social Security Disability lawyer near me?
Am I eligible for SSDI benefits in Minnesota?
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), to qualify for SSDI benefits, you must have a disability, the disability must affect your ability to work for one year or longer – or the disability must be a health disorder that will result in death.
If you can work, your medical condition must limit you from earning income above the SSA’s income limit, called “substantial gainful activity (SGA).” For 2025, the SGA limit is $1,620. If you meet the SSA definition for blindness, your SGA limit is $2,700. There are other SGA limits if you are self-employed.
You must also have a sufficient work history to qualify. Generally, adults need to have worked for at least five of the last ten years to qualify.
How do you help show that I qualify for SSDI benefits?
Our Minnesota SSDI lawyers help applicants in many ways. We can review your work history. Our attorneys can look into whether you have a qualifying disability. We are also able to review what benefits you can receive, what conditions you may need to meet to continue being qualified, and what limits may apply.
Our lawyers help applicants show that they do have a disability that prevents them from working in substantial gainful activity for more than a year. We work with your doctors and our network of doctors to verify that your health disorder qualifies you for benefits. Many cases are won or lost based on convincing the SSA that you have a qualifying disability. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we help to obtain the correct medical records and reports to support your physicians’ opinions.
Our team will guide you through the initial application process, which applicants normally do themselves online, by phone, or in person. We’re available to promptly work with you and the SSA if they request further information.
Disability status
Generally, the SSA has a list of impairments that set forth the health conditions that qualify for SSDI benefits and the criteria you, your lawyer, and your physicians need to provide in order to show that you meet one of the definitions of impairment. If you do not meet a specific definition, we can still argue that your health condition prevents you from working for at least a year or is likely to be fatal.
Some of the medical evidence we review with you and your doctors includes:
- Imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs
- Blood and biopsy results
- Clinical notes
- Psychological evaluations
- Treatment plans
- Medications
- Medical reports from your physicians that address the SSA impairment criteria or your inability to work
Some of the non-medical evidence we review includes:
- Your work history
- Vocational evaluations
- Function reports that detail what tasks you can do
- Statements for caregivers, family, and friends
Filing an appeal
If SSA denies your application, we can review with you the merits of filing an appeal for you before the SSA. The appeals process includes requesting a reconsideration, requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge, requesting an appeal with the SSA appeals council, and requesting a hearing in federal court.
If your disability is due to an accident, we’re available to review filing a personal injury claim on your behalf.
What benefits can I receive if I’m eligible for SSDI?
The amount that you receive is based on how much you have paid into the Social Security system during the years you have worked, and on your current earnings. Eligible applicants receive a monthly amount subject to a cap. We can explain the amount you should receive.
Additionally, eligible applicants are entitled to Medicare coverage two years from the date they are eligible for SSDI. Beneficiaries who have end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) are eligible for Medicare as soon as they qualify for SSDI.
There are some reporting and income limits you must meet after you qualify for SSDI.
Do any of my family members or defendants qualify for SSDI benefits through me?
Survivors may be eligible for monthly benefits if someone in your family worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. The people who may be eligible include a spouse, a divorced spouse, a child, or a dependent parent. Recipients could receive a monthly payment and may be eligible for Medicare.
Family members may be eligible for certain payments if you are eligible for SSDI or Social Security retirement benefits. The people who may be eligible include spouses, former spouses, children, and some grandchildren. The SSA will review the family member’s age, marital status, and other factors to decide if they are eligible. Eligible family members could receive half of their family member’s benefit amount and may qualify for Medicare. We can explain if adopted children, stepchildren, and dependent children are eligible.
Family members could get up to half of your benefit amount and may be eligible for Medicare based on your work history. Some limits and conditions apply.
Generally, if you are eligible for SSDI, you should receive back pay from the time of your application through the time of the approval. We can explain if you are entitled to any other benefits.
Disability and SSI
You may be eligible for SSI benefits if you have a disability but don’t have a sufficient work history to qualify for SSDI benefits.
If you are under 65, you can qualify for SSI benefits if you meet the SSDI definition of disability and your income is below $1,550 per month. Generally, if you are 65 years of age or older, you can qualify for SSI without having a disability if you meet the income limits and have a sufficient work history. The amount of SSI benefits depends on Minnesota law, your earnings, and the earnings of a spouse who lives with you.
There are additional rules for children and noncitizens.
Do you have a Minnesota Social Security Disability lawyer near me?
Yes. We have offices at 1505 Division Street in Waite Park, Minnesota. Our lawyers also discuss cases by phone and through online consultations. We also make alternate arrangements when necessary.
We’re here to answer your questions and explain your rights.
Contact our Minnesota Social Security Disability attorneys today
At Bradshaw & Bryant, our attorneys understand the legal and medical challenges in filing for SSDI and SSI benefits due to a disability. Call us or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free consultation.
We represent clients in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and the nearby suburbs. We also advocate for clients across Central Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Brainerd, and Alexandria, and Stearns, Sherburne, Wright, Morrison, and Benton counties.