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Your Georgia SSDI & SSI Attorneys

Georgia Social Security Disability Lawyers

We Don’t Back Down.

When a disability stops you from working, the bills don’t stop with it. Most Georgians are denied the first time they apply — and the appeals system is built to wear you out. Morrison & Hughes fights for the SSDI and SSI benefits you’ve already paid for, from the application all the way through your hearing.

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No fee unless we win your benefits
Fees federally capped & SSA-approved
6 office locations across Georgia
0%
Initial Claims Denied
~37% medical approval at initial level (SSA 2023 ASR)
0%
Final Award Rate
Avg. of disabled-worker claims 2013–2022 (SSA)
0mo
Avg. Wait for a Hearing
Under 9 months, Dec. 2025 (SSA OHO data)
$0
Federal Fee Cap
Or 25% of past-due benefits, whichever is less (SSA, 2026)
Representing Disabled Georgians Statewide

You Paid Into the System. We Help You Collect What You’re Owed.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) exist for exactly this moment — when a serious medical condition makes it impossible to keep working. But applying is only half the battle. The Social Security Administration denies the majority of initial claims, and many valid cases are turned down on paper before anyone ever looks closely at the medical evidence.

Morrison & Hughes guides Georgians through every level of the process — the initial application, reconsideration, and the all-important hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. We gather the medical records, develop the evidence the SSA actually requires, and prepare you to testify. And because representative fees are capped by federal law and paid only out of your back benefits, there’s no out-of-pocket cost to have a lawyer in your corner.

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A person reviewing disability benefit paperwork with an attorney
The Numbers Behind a Disability Claim

Social Security Disability by the Numbers

The figures below come directly from the Social Security Administration’s Annual Statistical Reports and the Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) public data. They explain why so many valid claims are denied at first — and why persistence through the appeals process pays off.

Approval Rate by Decision Level

Medical allowance rate at each stage of an SSDI claim
Source: SSA Annual Statistical Report on the Disability Insurance Program, 2023 (medical decisions). Reconsideration allowances are historically low; ALJ hearings have the highest allowance rate.

What Happens to Initial Claims

Outcome of disability applications, medical & technical
Source: SSA Annual Statistical Report, 2023 — roughly 37% of initial claims are medically allowed; the remainder are denied on medical or technical (non-medical) grounds.

Average Wait for a Hearing Decision

Average processing time, application to ALJ decision (days)
Source: SSA Office of Hearings Operations public data — average hearing wait fell from ~450 days (FY2023) to ~342 days (FY2024); under 9 months as of Dec. 2025.

Final Award Rate, Disabled Workers

Share of applicants ultimately awarded benefits (all levels)
Source: SSA — the final award rate for disabled-worker applicants has averaged about 30% for claims filed 2013–2022, with ~70% ultimately denied.
Two Programs, One Definition of Disability

SSDI vs. SSI: What’s the Difference?

Both programs use the same medical definition of disability — but they’re funded differently and have very different eligibility rules. Many Georgians qualify for one, the other, or both. We help you file under every program you’re entitled to.

SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance
  • Based on your work history. You qualify by earning enough work credits — generally 40 total, with 20 in the last 10 years.
  • Funded by FICA payroll taxes you and your employers paid in — it’s an earned benefit, not welfare.
  • No asset or resource limit. Savings, a home, and a car do not affect SSDI eligibility.
  • Benefit amount is tied to your earnings record, not to need.
  • Medicare after a 24-month waiting period from entitlement.
  • Dependents may qualify for auxiliary benefits on your record.

SSI

Supplemental Security Income
  • Need-based. No work history required — designed for people with limited income and resources.
  • Funded by general tax revenue, not the Social Security trust fund.
  • Strict resource limits: generally $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in countable assets (2026).
  • Income limits apply. The 2026 federal benefit rate is $994/mo for an individual and $1,491/mo for a couple.
  • Medicaid eligibility is automatic in most states.
  • Available to children and adults who meet the medical and financial tests.
How the SSA Decides

The 5-Step Sequential Evaluation

Every disability claim is run through the same five-step process (20 CFR § 404.1520). Understanding it is how we build a winning case — we know exactly what the SSA is looking for at each step, and where claims tend to fail.

Are you working above the SGA level?

If you’re earning more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount — $1,690/month in 2026 for non-blind individuals — you’re generally found not disabled, regardless of your condition. If you’re below it, the SSA moves on.

Is your impairment “severe”?

Your condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities and be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Minor or short-term conditions are screened out here.

Does it meet or equal a Listing?

The SSA maintains a “Listing of Impairments” (the Blue Book). If your condition meets or medically equals a listing with the right documentation, you’re approved at this step — no further analysis needed.

Can you do your past work?

If you don’t meet a listing, the SSA assesses your Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) and asks whether you can still perform any job you’ve held in the past 15 years. If you can, the claim is denied.

Can you do any other work?

Finally, the SSA considers your RFC, age, education, and skills to decide whether you can adjust to other work that exists in the national economy. If you can’t, you’re found disabled. This is where strong vocational and medical evidence wins cases.

Know the Rules

The Law & the Appeals Process

Social Security disability is governed by federal law and regulation — it’s the same in Georgia as everywhere else. These are the rules that decide whether you qualify, how you appeal, and what it costs to have a lawyer.

42 U.S.C. § 423(d) · 20 CFR § 404.1505

The SSA Definition of Disability

You are “disabled” if you cannot engage in substantial gainful activity because of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment that has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months or to result in death. There is no such thing as a “partial” or short-term federal disability benefit.

42 U.S.C. § 423(c) · Work Credits

Work Credits for SSDI

SSDI is an earned benefit. Most adults need 40 work credits, 20 of them earned in the last 10 years, before the disability began. In 2026 you earn one credit for every $1,890 in covered earnings, up to four credits per year. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

42 U.S.C. § 1382 · 20 CFR § 416

Income & Asset Limits for SSI

SSI is need-based. Countable resources generally cannot exceed $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple. Income is also limited — the 2026 federal benefit rate is $994/month (individual). The SSA disregards some income, including the first $20 of most income and the first $65 of earned income plus half the rest.

20 CFR §§ 404.900–404.981

The Four Levels of Appeal

If your claim is denied, you have 60 days to appeal each step: (1) Initial Application → (2) Reconsideration → (3) ALJ Hearing → (4) Appeals Council (and, after that, federal court). Most claimants who ultimately win do so at the hearing stage — which is where experienced representation matters most.

42 U.S.C. § 406 · SSA Fee Agreement Rules

Representative Fees Are Federally Capped

By federal law, a representative’s fee is limited to the lesser of 25% of your past-due benefits or the SSA dollar cap — currently $9,200 (effective Nov. 30, 2024, and unchanged for 2026). Fees must be approved by the SSA and are paid out of back benefits — never out of your future monthly checks.

20 CFR § 404.1520 · Sequential Evaluation

The 5-Step Medical Test

Every claim is decided under the five-step sequential evaluation: SGA, severity, the Listings, past work, and other work. We build the medical and vocational record to satisfy each step — including a well-supported Residual Functional Capacity assessment from your treating providers.

What an Attorney Actually Does

How Morrison & Hughes Strengthens Your Claim

A disability claim is won or lost on the evidence. Here’s where having an experienced advocate changes the outcome — at every stage from the first application through your hearing.

Filing It Right the First Time

Incomplete applications and missing medical evidence sink claims before they start. We make sure your initial filing is complete, accurate, and built around the Listings that fit your condition.

Gathering the Medical Record

We obtain records from every treating provider, request opinion evidence and RFC forms, and fill the gaps the SSA uses as a reason to deny.

Handling the Appeals

Reconsideration and the ALJ hearing have strict 60-day deadlines and detailed requirements. We file on time, preserve your rights, and keep your claim alive.

Preparing You to Testify

The hearing is your one chance to tell the judge how your condition really affects you. We prepare you thoroughly so your testimony is clear, credible, and consistent with the record.

Cross-Examining the Experts

Vocational and medical experts testify at most hearings. We know how to question them on the SGA, RFC, and jobs analysis that decides your case.

No Cost Unless You Win

Our fee is set by federal law and paid only from your back benefits — never upfront, and never out of your monthly checks. If you don’t win benefits, you owe no attorney’s fee.

Free Eligibility Check

Do You Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Answer a few quick questions. We’ll tell you whether you may have a viable SSDI or SSI claim, and a Morrison & Hughes representative will call you the next business day. Free, confidential, no obligation.

Step 1 of 6

Do you have a medical condition that keeps you from working?

Physical or mental — it must be expected to last at least 12 months or be terminal.

How long has it lasted (or is it expected to last)?

Federal disability requires a duration of at least 12 months (or a terminal condition).

Have you worked and paid Social Security taxes recently?

This helps us tell whether you may qualify for SSDI, SSI, or both.

Are you receiving medical treatment for your condition?

Medical records are the foundation of every disability claim.

Have you applied for disability before?

If you were denied, you may still have appeal rights — deadlines are short.

One last step — send this to our team

Your answers are already written into the message below. Add your contact details, tell us anything else in your own words, and press Send Message. Nothing is sent until you do.

Common Questions

Social Security Disability FAQs — Georgia

Why was my disability claim denied?
Most initial claims are denied — roughly 63% are denied at the initial level (SSA, 2023). Common reasons include insufficient medical evidence, earning above the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) limit, a condition not expected to last 12 months, or technical/non-medical issues like work credits or income. A denial is not the end — it’s usually the beginning of an appeal that you have a much better chance of winning with representation.
What’s the difference between SSDI and SSI?
SSDI is an earned benefit based on your work history and the Social Security taxes you paid; it has no asset limit. SSI is need-based, with strict resource limits (generally $2,000 for an individual, $3,000 for a couple in 2026) and no work-history requirement. Both use the same medical definition of disability, and many people qualify for both. We file under every program you’re entitled to.
How long do I have to appeal a denial?
You generally have 60 days from the date you receive each denial to file the next level of appeal — reconsideration, then an ALJ hearing, then the Appeals Council. Missing a deadline can force you to start over and lose back benefits, so it’s critical to act quickly. We track every deadline in your case.
How long does the whole process take?
It varies. An initial decision often takes several months. If you’re denied and appeal to a hearing, the wait for an ALJ decision has been improving — from about 450 days in FY2023 to roughly 342 days in FY2024, and under 9 months on average as of December 2025 (SSA OHO data). Wait times differ by hearing office. We keep your claim moving and prepare you well before your hearing date arrives.
How much does it cost to hire a disability lawyer?
Representative fees in Social Security cases are capped by federal law. Under the fee agreement process, the fee is the lesser of 25% of your past-due benefits or the SSA dollar cap — currently $9,200 (effective Nov. 30, 2024, and unchanged for 2026). The fee must be approved by the SSA and is paid out of your back benefits — never from your future monthly checks. If you don’t win, you owe no attorney’s fee.
How many work credits do I need for SSDI?
Most adults need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before the disability began. In 2026 you earn one credit for every $1,890 in covered earnings, up to four credits a year. Younger workers can qualify with fewer credits. If you don’t have enough credits, you may still qualify for SSI based on financial need.
Can I work at all while applying for disability?
Possibly, but it’s limited. If you earn more than the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) amount — $1,690/month in 2026 for non-blind individuals — the SSA will generally find you not disabled at Step 1. Some part-time or unsuccessful work attempts don’t count against you. Talk to us before changing your work activity, because it can affect your claim.
From the Morrison & Hughes Blog

Social Security Disability Resources

Plain-English guidance for Georgians navigating the disability system, written by the attorneys who fight for them. Read these before you file — or before you give up after a denial.

Related Reading

Visit the Morrison & Hughes Blog

Service Areas: Find Your Local Disability Attorney

Six office locations across Georgia. We represent disability claimants statewide.

Marietta Alpharetta & Roswell Decatur Hiram Fayetteville LaGrange All Service Areas

Related Practice Areas

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Workers’ Compensation

Hurt on the job in Georgia? Workers’ comp and Social Security disability can overlap. We help injured workers pursue both — and avoid offsets that reduce what you keep.

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Unpaid Overtime & Wages

If your employer shorted your pay, you have rights under federal and Georgia wage law. We recover the wages you earned — plus penalties where the law allows.

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Personal Injury

When a disabling injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury claim may run alongside your disability benefits. We coordinate every avenue of recovery.

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Denied Disability in Georgia? Don’t Give Up.

Free, confidential consultation. We’ll tell you whether you have a claim, handle every level of appeal, and never charge a fee unless we win your benefits. Federal law caps what a lawyer can charge — so getting help costs you nothing up front.

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