Disability Benefits Attorney in Clinton County

Serving Clinton County, Iowa Since 1992: SSDI, SSI, & Veterans Disability Only

Bowman, DePree & Murphy has served Clinton County, Iowa residents from our Davenport office since 1992. We handle only Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Veterans Disability claims and appeals. No other legal matters compete for our attention. Our team brings more than 60 combined years of experience to these cases, and clients work directly with an attorney from the first conversation through final resolution.

SSDI and SSI benefits provide monthly income to cover housing, food, and medical care when a medical condition prevents you from working. The SSA application and appeals process involves strict deadlines, detailed documentation requirements, and multiple review stages where errors or gaps can derail a claim. Clinton County claimants who exhaust administrative options may appeal to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Davenport Division. We can represent clients at every stage, including federal court if necessary.

SSDI Eligibility: Work History & Medical Requirements

Social Security Disability Insurance is funded through Social Security payroll taxes paid during your working years. It functions like an insurance program: to qualify, you generally need 40 work credits, with 20 earned in the 10 years before your disability began. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

The SSA defines disability as a medical condition severe enough to prevent substantial gainful activity (SGA). This means work that generates income above a threshold the SSA sets annually. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Monthly benefit amounts are based on your lifetime average earnings. After 24 months on SSDI, recipients become eligible for Medicare. Eligible spouses and children may also qualify for auxiliary benefits tied to your entitlement.

SSI Eligibility: Needs-Based Benefits Without a Work History

SSI is funded through general tax revenues, not payroll taxes, so a work history isn’t required. Eligibility is based on financial need: countable assets must generally stay below $2,000 for an individual or $3,000 for a couple, though your primary residence and one vehicle are typically exempt. Income limits also apply.

Iowa SSI recipients are generally eligible for Medicaid immediately upon approval. Both SSDI and SSI use the same SSA medical definition of disability. The programs differ in how financial and work-history eligibility is determined, not in how the SSA evaluates whether someone is medically disabled. If your SSDI benefit is low and you also meet SSI income and resource limits, it’s possible to receive both simultaneously.

The Application & Appeals Process in Clinton County

Every disability claim moves through the SSA’s five-step sequential evaluation. The SSA assesses whether you’re currently working, how severe your condition is, whether it appears on the SSA’s listing of impairments, whether you can perform your past work, and whether you can perform any other work given your age, education, and experience. Iowa’s Disability Determination Services (DDS) handles initial reviews on behalf of the SSA, examining medical records and sometimes requesting additional evaluations.

A significant portion of initial applications are denied. From there, claimants can appeal through reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), the Appeals Council, and ultimately federal court. Each stage carries strict deadlines, and missing one can require starting the process over entirely. ALJ hearings may be conducted in person, by video, or by phone.

We help gather and organize medical records, employment history, and supporting documentation from the initial filing forward. We know how the local Social Security office operates and are familiar with the Social Security judges in our area. When administrative remedies are exhausted, we can take a case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Davenport Division on your behalf.