Wake Forest Social Security Disability Lawyer
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we work with people in Wake Forest who cannot keep working because of a disabling medical condition and now face a confusing application or a denial letter in the mail. A Wake Forest Social Security Disability lawyer from our firm can help. Reach us at (800) 525-7111 with any questions about your claim. Most initial applications are denied, and that first denial does not end your claim. Denials can be appealed, and we handle appeals every day for families in the area.
Why Wake Forest Residents Trust Riddle & Riddle With Their Disability Claim
Trust starts with knowing who is actually handling your file. Our disability team includes a Board-Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability law, a credential recognized by the North Carolina State Bar and held by very few attorneys across the state. Beyond that credential, our team is built around making the process manageable for you:
- A dedicated case manager prepares and tracks every form sent to Disability Determination Services, the state agency that decides medical eligibility, known as DDS.
- Bilingual staff available to communicate with Spanish-speaking clients and their families directly.
- Fully remote phone, email, text, and video consultations mean no in-person meeting is required to get started.
Our fee structure is plain. We work on contingency, so you owe nothing unless your claim is won, and any fee we receive must first be approved by the Social Security Administration, the federal agency known as the SSA.
Video Transcript
I’m Gene Riddle. After 38 years of helping injured clients, I’ve learned something very important. Justice does count. This means that maximum compensation for our clients is a priority for us. We want to get the most possible for all of our clients. No insurance company will work harder than us and no insurance company will out negotiate us. I’m Alex Riddle. Let us handle the legal issues so you can focus on getting a full recovery. You deserve justice and we strive to get you justice. We love our clients and we love seeing their faces when we get the maximum compensation for their injuries. We handle all types of injury cases including tractor trailer truck accidents, wrongful death, car wrecks, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, serious slipfall accidents. We also handle workers compensation cases which include injuries on the job as well as social security disability. We give everything we have for our clients. When you hire us, you hire an entire team of people whose only goal is to get you the best result possible, even if that means filing a lawsuit. We’ve represented thousands of seriously injured people over the many years of our practice. We understand all of the problems that you’re going through and we’re here to help. We love representing the people of North Carolina. We love bringing justice to those who deserve it and we will do this for the rest of our lives. It’s an honor to help the people of North Carolina. Give us a call or send us an email for a free case evaluation.
SSDI vs. SSI: Which Disability Benefits Can You Apply For From Wake Forest?
Knowing which program fits your situation shapes everything that follows, so we sort that out at the first call. Two federal programs pay monthly disability benefits, and they work differently.
The first is an insurance benefit you earned by working and paying payroll taxes over the years, called Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. The second is a needs-based program for people with limited income and few resources, called Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. Some Wake Forest applicants qualify for both at once, a combination the SSA processes as concurrent claims. Our team reviews your work record and household finances before filing so nothing gets left on the table. For a broader look at the types of disability benefits, our blog breaks each one down.
How to Apply for Social Security Disability From Wake Forest
Once you know which program fits, filing is the next step. You can submit an application online through the SSA, by phone, or with our help. Initial medical decisions for Wake Forest claimants are made by DDS, not by the local field office.
Complete medical documentation drives that decision. Examiners look for treatment records, imaging, test results, and provider opinions that show how your condition limits daily function, and thin records are a common reason claims fail early.
Our team gathers those records for you, including files from area WakeMed and UNC Health Rex providers, and handles all DDS correspondence on your behalf. If your case extends beyond Wake Forest, a lawyer from our firm specializing in Social Security Disability in North Carolina will continue to represent you.
Appealing a Denied Disability Claim in Wake Forest, NC
A denial is a starting point for the next stage, not a final answer. The appeals process consists of four steps. First is a second review of your file by DDS, called reconsideration. Next is a hearing in front of a federal judge who hears disability cases, known as an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. After that comes review by the Appeals Council, and a civil action in federal court as a last resort.
Representation changes what happens at each step. We read the denial notice to pinpoint the exact reason, then request assessments from your doctors describing what you can still do in a work setting, an evaluation the agency calls Residual Functional Capacity, or RFC.
Before any hearing, our team prepares you for the questions an ALJ asks. Learn more about how to appeal a denied disability claim.
What Our Wake Forest-Area Disability Clients Say
"I Would Recommend You to Anyone"
I would like to thank the Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers team for helping me get my disability. I am so thankful for all the work you did for me on my case. To those people who are trying to get their disability I hope they will look to Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for help."
B. Fields sent that message after his claim closed. Our case managers strive to provide that level of follow-through for everyone who comes through our doors.
"Greatest Experience," A Veteran's Disability Case
By far the best law firm that actually cares about helping veterans and also making the process less stressful. I had reached out to other law firms and they didn’t want to represent me or waste time talking to me. From the time I initiated contact, I was taken care of right away. They had compassion and from the beginning I really felt that I was going to be taken care of. Greatest experience.”
-B.F.
Our team keeps veterans informed at each stage so the process feels less isolating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Claims in Wake Forest
Clients ask us the same practical questions early on, so here are direct answers.
How Much Does a Disability Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?
Nothing upfront. We handle disability claims on a contingency fee, which means you owe no attorney fee unless your claim is won. Any fee comes out of past-due benefits and must be approved by the agency first.
Under the SSA’s fee agreement rules, the maximum fee a representative may charge under a fee agreement is $9,200, effective November 30, 2024. That cap protects you from open-ended legal bills while your claim moves forward.
Can I Work Part-Time While Applying for Disability Benefits?
Yes, part-time work is allowed while you apply, but it affects your claim. The SSA reviews your monthly earnings to decide whether your work counts as substantial gainful activity, and earnings above the annual limit can lead to a denial regardless of your medical condition.
Hours, wages, job duties, and accommodations all factor in, so the answer depends on your individual circumstances. Our blog covers working while applying for disability in more depth.
Why Does It Matter That Your Team Includes a Board-Certified Specialist?
Board Certification in Social Security Disability Law is a formal credential from the North Carolina State Bar. Earning it requires demonstrated experience handling these claims, peer review, and a written examination in this specific practice area.
Not every attorney who takes disability cases holds it. For a Wake Forest SSDI lawyer or Wake Forest SSI attorney search, that credential gives you a verifiable measure of focus rather than a marketing phrase.
Contact Our Wake Forest Disability Team Today
Our team is ready to review your claim, whether you have not applied yet or a denial letter just arrived. The case review is free, and you owe no attorney fee unless we win your claim. We meet clients by phone, text, email, and video, so you never have to drive to an office to get started. Call our general line at (800) 525-7111 or reach our Raleigh office, located about 19 miles from Wake Forest, at (919) 876-3020. You can also contact our team online anytime. When Justice Counts™.