• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Murphy Law Firm – Montana

Murphy Law Firm - Montana

  • Attorneys
  • Practice Areas
    • Workers’ Compensation
    • Personal Injury
    • Wrongful Death
    • Motor Vehicle Accidents
    • Workplace Injury
    • Social Security Disability
    • Disability Discrimination
  • Case Results
  • Testimonials
  • Resources
    • Accident & Injury Guide
    • Blog
  • Contact
(406) 452-2345
Free Consultation English  Spanish

Great Falls Social Security Disability Attorneys

Personal Injury Attorneys (Home) / Montana Social Security Disability

Are you or a loved one applying for Social Security for the first time?
Or was your disability claim denied?

Learn how our Montana disability lawyers can help you.

If you or a loved one can no longer work for at least a year due to a medical condition or disability, then you may be entitled to receive disability benefits under Social Security. These benefits are available to all Montana citizens, but it takes expert legal guidance to ensure that you meet the qualifications and cut through the bureaucratic red tape.

Get the help you need to receive your maximum Social Security disability benefits. Murphy Law Firm attorneys Charla Tadlock, Matthew J. Murphy, and Tom Murphy are experienced Social Security attorneys in Great Falls, MT. Our knowledgeable and compassionate team offers Social Security disability assistance as well as injured client representation in Montana.

Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.

Why hire Murphy Law Firm?

  • We put our clients first
  • We ONLY represent the injured
  • Compassionate, aggressive and personal legal representation
  • Licensed attorneys with extensive legal knowledge
  • 75+ years of combined experience
  • We’ve recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients
  • Contingency fee (you don’t pay unless we win)
  • Free consultation

Thomas J. Murphy

Attorney Thomas J. Murphy
Founder of Murphy Law Firm

Montana’s legal system is complex and difficult to navigate. From the start, we’ll work hard to prove the facts of your case. We’ll thoroughly investigate the accident to prove liability, and to calculate your present and future damages. Let our family help yours by fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Free consultation

Case results

Murphy Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of Montanans, including complex Social Security disability claims.

$1,635,000We recovered workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits on behalf of a client injured at work
$979,600We recovered workers’ compensation and Social Security disability benefits on behalf of a client injured at work
$765,000We recovered personal injury damages, workers’ comp, & Social Security disability benefits on behalf of a client involved in a car accident

View more results

What is Social Security Disability?

Social Security is a federal program that most people believe only provides retirement benefits. Actually, there is a complex disability component to the program. Whether you are filing for the first time or have had your claim denied, we are on your side.

Types of Social Security Benefits

Social Security Disability (SSD)

SSD (or SSDI) is part of the federal Social Security program that provides monthly disability payments. This program is available to workers who have not reached full retirement age, but are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity (SGA).

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is also part of the Social Security program. However, the Supplemental Security Income program is income-based, meaning it only pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources.

SSD and SSI Qualifications & Eligibility

To qualify for Social Security benefits (SSD or SSI), you first must prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you are disabled under the SSA rules. Non-disability qualifications also apply. The application and decision process is complex. Our firm recommends hiring a Great Falls Social Security attorney for these cases.

Social Security Denials

Although approximately 75 percent of disability applications are initially denied, the majority of these claims are eventually approved. Most claims are approved through a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

We do not recommend that you attend a hearing without experienced representation by your side. Having an experienced Great Falls disability lawyer on your side greatly increases the chances of your claim being approved.

Social Security Disability FAQ

What conditions automatically qualify you for SSDI?

Applying for Social Security disability benefits isn’t an easy process and claims are commonly denied. However, there are some medical conditions and injuries that qualify for expedited approval by the SSA. Proof of a confirmed diagnosis of one of the conditions found on the Compassionate Allowances List may make you automatically eligible for disability benefits.

The full list is quite extensive, but here are a few of the most common conditions:

  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Huntington Disease
  • ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
  • Parkinsonism Dementia Complex
  • Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Muscular Atrophy

In addition, many types of cancers are included on the Compassionate Allowances List—including leukemia (blood cancer), bladder cancer, breast cancer, gallbladder cancer, head and neck cancers, large and small intestine cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, thyroid cancer and others.


What is the difference between SSD and SSI?

Both Social Security Disability (SSD) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal disability programs run by the SSA to provide financial support for disabled individuals. The main distinction between these 2 programs is the financial eligibility requirements.

SSD benefits are available to disabled workers who have accumulated enough work credits to qualify. You earn work credits based on how much you earn and how long you work. This ensures that only those who have paid into Social Security are able to receive the benefits of SSD. The older you are, the more work credits you need to be eligible for benefits.

SSI benefits, on the other hand, is a need-based (or “means-tested”) program that has nothing to do with your work history, but rather your financial need. In order to qualify for SSI, you must meet the SSI income requirements.


What is the average monthly Social Security disability payment?

On average, the monthly SSDI payment in October 2020 was $1,438.04, and it ranged from $800 to $1,800. (source)

However, it’s important to note that disability benefits can vary greatly depending on the average lifetime earnings of the applicant prior to the disability. The final monthly payment can also fluctuate depending on your application and whether you are receiving additional forms of compensation such as SSI or workers’ compensation, which is why it’s important to seek help from a professional disability attorney.


Do you pay taxes on disability checks?

Generally, no. In most cases, SSD and SSI payments are not taxable income. There are only a couple of exceptions when disability benefits may be taxed:

  • Supplemental income limits. If you or your spouse receive SSD benefits in addition to another source of income, then your disability benefits may be partially taxed. If you earn between $25,000 and $34,000 as an individual (or a combined income of over $32,000 if married), then 50 percent of your SSD benefits will be taxed. If you earn over $34,000 as an individual (or $44,000 as a couple), then up to 85 percent of your disability benefits could be taxed.
  • Lump sum back payments or death benefits. If you receive “back payments” in a lump sum for a period during which you were disabled but not receiving Social Security benefits, or a one-time death payment as the survivor of a worker receiving SSD benefits who has passed away, then these payments may be taxed for that year.

How do I make sure I get approved for disability?

It’s true that a majority of Social Security disability claims are denied at first. Many of these denials are because the applicant doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria or due to a simple administrative error. By consulting with an experienced disability lawyer near you, you can greatly improve the odds that your claim will be approved.

In addition, here are 5 tips to increase your chances of getting Social Security disability:

  1. Make sure that your application is complete and well-documented
  2. Request and gather all of your medical records and paperwork
  3. Start a journal to document and date all interactions with healthcare providers
  4. Maintain a good relationship with your doctor and follow their treatment recommendations
  5. Closely monitor the status of your claim and stay in touch with your claims representative

Why Hire a Montana Disability Attorney?

Winning your case provides you with peace of mind in terms of financial support and medical care. Given the importance of these benefits, we strongly advise you hire a Social Security attorney to guide you through the disability process. We will fight for you!

If you need help and advice securing your benefits, seek effective legal help as soon as possible.

Schedule your free consultation today.
Legal Service: Workers’ Compensation

“I want to thank each and every one of you for helping me on my case. Matt I want to thank you the most for all of your incredible hard work. Thanks again.”

Bill M.

Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5

View more testimonials

From our blog

Ex-University of Georgia Football Star Charged With Reckless Driving Reckless driving crashes and wrongful death lawsuits Former University of Georgia football star Jalen… Read More
Top 5 Most Common Workplace Injuries Workplace injuries include everything from muscle strains and sprains to severe chemical burns and… Read More
Matt and Tommy Murphy Named Top 40 Montana Attorneys Under 40 Finding legal counsel for any task can be difficult, but it can be even… Read More

Visit our blog

Related Resources

  • Montana Workers’ Compensation for Amazon Employees
    Montana Workers’ Compensation for Amazon Employees
  • Common Unjust Insurance Practices in Montana Injury Claims
    Common Unjust Insurance Practices in Montana Injury Claims
  • Signs of a Bad Montana Personal Injury Lawyer
    Signs of a Bad Montana Personal Injury Lawyer

Footer

Back to top

Membership badges

Membership badges

Murphy Law Office
Murphy Law Firm
Montana Workers' Compensation, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and Social Security Disability Lawyers

619 2nd Ave S
Great Falls, MT 59405
8:30am to 5:00pm (M-F)

(406) 452-2345
Map & directions

FacebookOpens a new window YelpOpens a new window LinkedinOpens a new window YoutubeOpens a new window
Murphy Law Firm: Montana Enjuris Partner Attorney

Free Consultation

    Please be advised that contacting us through use of this website DOES NOT establish any form of attorney-client relationship, and Murphy Law Firm is not representing you, or pursuing your claim in any manner, until we are formally retained.

    Copyright © 2023 · *Disclaimer: the information provided by this website is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice or a substitute for competent legal counsel.

    Lawyer Marketing & Web Design by SEO Advantage, Inc.Opens a new window

    English Spanish