Atticus offers free, high-quality disability advice for Americans who can't work. Our team of Stanford and Harvard-trained lawyers has a combined 15+ years of legal experience and has helped over 50,000 Americans apply for disability benefits.
If you’re a Tennessean with a medical condition or injury that prevents you from being able to work, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits. These federal benefits provide monthly payments and healthcare coverage.
It’s no secret that applying for disability benefits is a long process that’s more challenging than it should be. But, working with a disability lawyer on your application can ease the process and boost your chances of success. We’ll walk you through the benefits of working with a disability lawyer in Jackson, Tennessee, and share the next steps.
Tennessee does not have a statewide disability program, but workers with disability can qualify for federal benefits through the Social Security Administration. The SSA administers two programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSDI: SSDI is for individuals with a work history. To qualify, you must have worked at least 5 of the last 10 years and paid into Social Security. Your medical condition must be expected to last more than one year.
SSI: SSI is a need-based program for people with little to no work history and very few income and resources. To be eligible, you must not make more than $943 in monthly income and have less than $2,000 in assets.
Both programs offer monthly benefits and healthcare coverage, but the eligibility requirements and payment amounts differ.
Learn more about the differences between SSDI vs. SSI in this article.
The maximum payment amount for Social Security Disability Insurance in 2024 is $3,822 a month. For Supplemental Security Income, the monthly maximum is $943. The exact amount you receive depends on factors like your work history and income. The average SSDI payment in Tennessee is $1,678, and the average SSI check is $599. To find your exact payment amount, create an SSA account on SSA.gov.
We'll use the Social Security Administration's formula to estimate your monthly benefit.
Average
monthly check
$1,489
The majority of applicants benefit from working with a disability lawyer. The one exception: If you have a severe or terminal illness on the SSA’s compassionate allowance list, the SSA should fast-track your application. For other applicants, a disability lawyer can help build a case with the necessary medical evidence, file for an appeal, cross-examine vocational experts in a hearing, and more. Working with a lawyer triples your chances of getting benefits and can ease each step, from the initial application to a court hearing.
Disability lawyers work on a contingency basis. That means you don’t pay anything until your lawyer wins your benefits. You’ll begin with a free consultation with a lawyer, and if you decide to move forward, you’ll sign a contingency agreement. The SSA will then need to approve this documentation.
Only if your disability claim is approved will your lawyer collect the fee. The fee is set at 25% of your final payout amount and by law, the maximum amount a lawyer can receive is $7,200.
There are no upfront costs to working with Atticus. There is nothing upfront and nothing ongoing. If you’re applying for benefits, take our 2-minute quiz to see your eligibility. A member of our team can offer advice about your options and introduce you to a disability lawyer if you’d like.
Here are some of the Atticus lawyers who serve Jackson and beyond:
Disability Consulting | Downard and Associates | Law Offices of Jeffrey A. Garrety |
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1424 W Baddour Pkwy., Suite F, Lebanon, Tennessee 37087 | 822 Wren Rd., Goodlettsville, Tennessee 37072 | 65 Stonebridge Blvd., Jackson, Tennessee 38305 |
Atticus was very fast in finding me an attorney to represent my disability case. Downard and Associates is working my case now and I have faith they will get me approved, they are very knowledgeable of my situation and understanding of my very strenuous case. Atticus has stayed in contact and made sure I understand everything and if at any time I have any questions I can reach out to them if needed be. - Atticus client
Jackson 415 Cheyenne Dr Jackson, TN 38305 Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 4:00PM Phone Number: (888) 383-1593 Fax Number: (833) 597-0128 |
From Cookeville to Jackson, Nashville to Memphis, there are 28 SSA offices in Tennessee. Visit your nearest SSA field office to speak with an SSA claims representative and apply for benefits.
To qualify for disability you need to have a condition that prevents you from working for at least a year. You’ll also need to meet certain work history requirements (for SSDI) or be within certain income limits (for SSI). For more on these requirements, read our full write up here.
Any condition that will prevent you from working for a year or more can qualify for disability benefits. Some of the most common conditions include musculoskeletal disorders, mental disorders, nervous system diseases, and circulatory system diseases. See our full list of conditions that qualify here.
It takes an average of 7 months to get an initial disability decision in Tennessee. Most people who apply are initially rejected, and need to appeal this decision. If you appeal and go to a hearing, the process takes around two years on average. Read more: How Long It Takes to Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The average SSDI payment in Tennessee is $1,678 per month. The average SSI payment is $599 per month. What you’ll earn is dependent on your income, or the amount you’ve historically paid into the Social Security program. Read more on what amount you can expect.
Answer the application questions truthfully, consistently, and succinctly. You should also ensure that you gather and submit all your medical records with your application. The SSA paperwork can be complicated, so our legal team has written a full guide to the application here.
No, Tennessee doesn't have a state disability program. Only five states (California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island) have a state program. Residents of Tennessee can apply for federal disability programs (SSDI and SSI). Read more about SSDI and SSI here.
How long has your condition made it hard to work?
Jackie Jakab
Lead Attorney
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