Helping St. Petersburg Residents Win the Disability Benefits They Earned
When a serious illness or injury keeps you from working, Social Security disability benefits can be a lifeline — but the system is confusing, slow, and built to say no. Most claims are denied the first time, even when the person truly cannot work. For more than 40 years, Jorgensen Law, P.A. has guided St. Petersburg and Pinellas County residents through the disability process and fought denied claims through every stage of appeal. You pay nothing up front, and no attorney fee at all unless we win your benefits.
How much could your monthly check be? See our guide: How Much Does Disability Pay in Florida? (2026 amounts & pay chart).
SSDI vs. SSI: Which Benefits Are You Eligible For?
Social Security runs two different disability programs, and many people qualify for one or the other — sometimes both. SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for workers who have paid Social Security taxes long enough to earn ‘work credits’ and then become disabled. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for disabled, blind, or older people with very limited income and resources, regardless of work history. Both use the same strict definition of disability, so a strong medical case matters either way. We help you figure out which program fits and file the strongest possible claim.
Comparing SSDI and SSI
Here is how the two programs differ at a glance:
How Social Security Decides If You Are Disabled
Social Security uses a five-step process to decide whether you qualify:
- Are you working? If you are earning above a set monthly amount, you generally will not be considered disabled.
- Is your condition ‘severe’? It must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities.
- Does it meet a listed impairment? Social Security keeps a ‘Blue Book’ of conditions that automatically qualify if the criteria are met.
- Can you do your past work? If your condition prevents it, you move to the final step.
- Can you do any other work? Considering your age, education, and skills, if there is no other work you can reasonably do, you should be found disabled.
| SSDI | SSI | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid | Financial need — limited income and resources |
| Who qualifies | Workers with enough recent work credits who become disabled | Disabled, blind, or age 65+ individuals with very limited income and assets |
| Medical standard | Same strict definition of disability | Same strict definition of disability |
| Health coverage | Medicare, after a waiting period | Medicaid, in most cases |
An important point most people miss: disability is about function, not just diagnosis. Two people with the same condition can get very different decisions depending on how the illness actually limits their ability to work. That is why detailed medical evidence — not just a diagnosis — is what wins these cases, and why a well-documented claim matters so much.
Most Claims Are Denied — The Appeals Process Is Where We Help Most
If your claim was denied, you are not alone — the majority of initial applications are. The worst mistake is to give up or simply start over; the right move is usually to appeal, and you typically have only 60 days from each denial to do so. The appeal path generally runs: reconsideration, then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) — where having a lawyer makes the biggest difference — then the Appeals Council, and finally federal court. Many people who were denied at first go on to win at the hearing stage with the right evidence and preparation.
Conditions That May Qualify for Disability
Social Security can award benefits for a wide range of physical and mental conditions — what matters is how severely the condition limits your ability to work, not the label alone. We handle claims involving back and spine disorders, heart disease, COPD and other respiratory illnesses, cancer, diabetes and its complications, neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s, autoimmune diseases, severe arthritis, and serious mental-health conditions including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. If your condition is not on this list, that does not mean you cannot qualify — it means the medical evidence has to show how it keeps you from working.
What Benefits Can You Receive?
A successful disability claim can provide more than a monthly check. Approved claimants may receive ongoing monthly benefits, back pay for the months you were disabled while waiting (often a substantial lump sum), health coverage through Medicare or Medicaid, and in some cases benefits for eligible family members. Getting the right onset date — the date your disability began — can significantly increase your back pay, and it is one of the things we fight for.
What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied
A denial is not the end — it is often just the beginning. Here is what to do:
- Do not start a brand-new application. In most cases you should appeal the denial instead, which protects your original filing date and back pay.
- Act within 60 days. You have a limited window to appeal each decision — missing it can force you to start over.
- Strengthen your medical evidence. Updated records, treating-doctor opinions, and the right forms can turn a denial into an approval.
- Get a lawyer before your hearing. Representation at the ALJ hearing dramatically improves your odds — and it costs you nothing unless you win.
How We Help With Your Disability Claim
Whether you are applying for the first time or fighting a denial, we handle the heavy lifting. We help you file a complete, accurate application; gather and organize the medical evidence Social Security wants to see; obtain supportive opinions from your treating doctors; complete the appeal paperwork on time; prepare you for your ALJ hearing and question the vocational and medical experts; and, if necessary, take your case to the Appeals Council or federal court. You focus on your health — we focus on your benefits.
Why Choose Jorgensen Law for Your Disability Case
Jorgensen Law, P.A. is a family firm that has fought for Floridians for more than 40 years, including those seeking the disability benefits they paid for and deserve. We are based right here in St. Petersburg, you work directly with an attorney, and we treat you like a person — not a claim number. If you were also hurt on the job or in an accident, we can help with workers’ compensation and personal injury claims too. There is no fee unless we win your benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most a disability lawyer can charge?
Social Security sets disability attorney fees by law. The fee is 25% of your past-due benefits (your back pay), up to a maximum cap set by the federal government (currently $7,200). You pay nothing up front, the fee comes only out of your back pay, and if you do not win benefits, you owe no attorney fee.
What is the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you have paid; SSI is a needs-based program for people with very limited income and resources. Both use the same strict definition of disability, and some people qualify for both.
Why was my disability claim denied?
Most initial claims are denied, often due to insufficient medical evidence, earning too much income, or technical mistakes on the application. A denial does not mean you do not qualify — it usually means the claim should be appealed with stronger evidence.
How long do I have to appeal a denial?
Generally 60 days from the date of each denial. Missing that deadline can force you to start over and lose back pay, so it is important to act quickly.
Does a specific condition like COPD or MS automatically qualify?
Not automatically. Social Security looks at how severely your condition limits your ability to work, not just the diagnosis. Conditions like COPD, multiple sclerosis, and many others can qualify when the medical evidence shows they prevent you from working.
How long does it take to get disability benefits?
It varies widely. An initial decision can take several months, and if you must appeal to a hearing, the full process can take a year or more. Strong evidence and prompt action help move things along.
Can I work while receiving disability benefits?
There are limits. Social Security caps how much you can earn and still be considered disabled, though there are work-incentive programs that let some people test returning to work. We can explain how the rules apply to your situation.
How much does it cost to hire your firm?
Nothing up front. We handle disability claims on the SSA-approved fee basis, so our fee comes only from your back pay if we win — and if we do not win benefits, you owe no attorney fee.
Talk to a St. Petersburg Disability Lawyer Today
If you cannot work because of a disability — or your claim was denied — do not navigate Social Security alone. Call Jorgensen Law, P.A. at (727) 347-7733 for a free, no-obligation consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your benefits, and the sooner we start, the more we can do to protect your claim and your back pay.
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