Cincinnati Social Security Disability Attorneys

Knowledge That Can Make the System Work For You

A lawyer's knowledge can be critical in your effort to obtain the Social Security disability benefits you paid for while you worked. You will find decades of relevant experience at the Michael J. Mooney and Stephen H. Olden Law Offices in Cincinnati. We help people in Ohio, northern Kentucky and southeast Indiana deal with a vital government system that many find is complex and intimidating.

Guidance and Legal Action for Those Who Cannot Work

If your Social Security disability benefits claim has been denied — or you need basic guidance to apply — contact us for a free consultation. You do not have to worry about up-front expenses: Our fee is 25% of your retroactive benefits. If we do not get you benefits, we charge no fee.

Two Experienced Lawyers with One Focused Mission

We are two solo attorneys who share information and resources but handle cases independently. We each have well over 30 years of experience as lawyers, with significant energies devoted to Social Security disability claims (SSDI), reconsideration and appeals. As a result, we know the laws, regulations and processes extremely well.

We deal with both major federal programs intended to support people who cannot work due to disability: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The people we represent cover the spectrum of those with a physical or mental disability, including:

• Adults, often over age 50, with a significant employment history prior to being injured or developing a disabling disease or condition
• Younger adults with some work history, but now with a disabling physical or mental impairment
• Disabled adults with little or no income and few assets
• Children with disabilities
• Widows, widowers and children of wage earners who meet certain criteria

Local, Personal Representation Emphasizing Care, Honesty and Results

We emphasize straight talk, efficiency and personal attention in our work for Social Security disability applicants. We work locally in the Cincinnati metro and surrounding area, not nationally - and you can count on direct, responsive attention from a concerned attorney through every phase of your case. We are supported by two legal assistants who are just as responsive and friendly and who have combined experience of over 24 years helping us with disability claims.

GOOD NEWS! DISABILITY RECIPIENTS WILL GET AN INCREASE FOR 2012

Based on increases in the Consumer Price Index, the Social Security Administration has raised the monthly payment amount for disability recipients in 2012. There will be a 3.6% increase. This means Social Security disability recipients will receive an additional 3.6% of what they had been receiving in 2011. SSI disability recipients will see their monthly benefits raised to $698 per month for individuals and $1,011 per month for couples (assuming no deductions). The 3.6% increase also applies to retirement benefits as well.

Other changes for 2012 include:

• Allowable earnings (substantial gainful activity or SGA) for disability claimants has increased to $1,010 per month; for blind disabled workers it is $1,690 per month.
• Earnings needed to earn one Social Security credit (quarter of coverage) is now $1,130 earned in the quarter.
• The SSI student exclusion now has a $1,700 monthly limit and a $6,840 annual limit.

So far, it appears that the Social Security tax rate for employees in 2012 will remain at the reduced rate of 5.65% (instead of 7.65%), and the tax rate will be 13.30% (instead 15.30%) for self-employed workers. The maximum taxable earnings increases slightly to $110,100. The SSI resources limit remains the same: $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple. Considering that there have been no increases in Social Security and SSI benefits over the past two years, this is a very welcome increase for the disabled workers in this country.

We’re happy about these changes!