Disability Benefits Attorney in Rock Island County

Your Lifeline for Social Security Benefits & Disability Representation in Rock Island County

When a serious medical condition makes it impossible to work, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can be a critical financial resource. At Bowman, DePree & Murphy, our disability benefits attorneys in Rock Island County guide clients through every stage of the Social Security process, helping you seek the support you need. 

Since 1992, we have helped neighbors across the Quad Cities area—including Rock Island County—feel supported and informed about their benefits options. You will always have confidential, knowledgeable support, whether you are applying for the first time or appealing a benefits denial.

Filing a disability claim can be difficult, especially when you need to gather documentation, meet strict deadlines, and communicate with busy local Social Security offices. The Rock Island County Social Security Administration follows federal rules, but the pace and process here depend on local office workloads and administrative practices. 

Our social security benefits attorneys make communication clear and personal at every step. We keep up with updates unique to our region and maintain trusted relationships with local agencies. When you work with a disability benefits lawyer from our team, you receive straightforward answers and step-by-step guidance, giving you clarity in a process that often feels overwhelming in Rock Island County.

Call a disability benefits attorney in Rock Island County at (563) 412-4755 or contact us online now for a free consultation.

Understanding the Difference Between SSDI and SSI

While both programs are administered by the SSA and use the same definition of "disability," they serve different populations based on work history and financial need. A knowledgeable social security benefits lawyer in Rock Island County can help you determine which program—or both—is right for you.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

• Eligibility: Based on work history. The applicant must have worked long enough and recently enough, paying into Social Security taxes (FICA). This is measured in "work credits."
• Benefits: Calculated based on the worker’s average lifetime earnings. Recipients may qualify for Medicare after a waiting period.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

• Eligibility: Based on financial need. This program is for disabled individuals who have very limited income and resources (non-exempt assets typically must be below $\$2,000$ for an individual).
• Benefits: A flat monthly federal payment (plus potential state supplement). Recipients typically qualify for Medicaid immediately.

The Five-Step Sequential Evaluation Process

To be approved for SSDI or SSI, your case must successfully pass through the SSA's five-step sequential evaluation process. The vast majority of initial claims are denied at Steps 3 and 4. We prepare your file meticulously to address each step for the best chance of success.

• Are you engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)? If you are currently working and earning more than the SGA limit, your claim is instantly denied.
• Do you have a Severe Impairment? Your condition must significantly limit your ability to perform basic work activities.
• Does your Impairment meet or equal a Listing? The SSA maintains a list of medical conditions (the "Blue Book") that are automatically considered disabling. We work with your physicians to ensure your medical records explicitly match the criteria of a Listing.
• Can you perform any of your Past Relevant Work (PRW)? The SSA examines your work history over the last 15 years. If the SSA finds you can still perform the duties of a past job, your claim is denied.
• Can you perform Any Other Work? This is the final and most common point of denial. The SSA must prove that other jobs exist in the national economy that you can perform, considering your age, education, and Residual Functional Capacity (RFC). We argue that considering your limitations, no jobs exist that you can reasonably perform.

The Appeal Process: Where Most Cases are Won

If your initial application is denied (as most are), the outcome of your case depends entirely on the appeal process. We guide you through the full appeal hierarchy, providing focused representation at the most critical stage: the hearing.

1. Reconsideration (The First Appeal)

This is a request for a new review of your file by different examiners. In Illinois, Reconsideration denials are extremely high.

2. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing (The Critical Stage)

This is the most important stage and the highest chance of approval. You appear before an impartial ALJ who reviews the evidence, questions you and any vocational or medical experts, and makes the final determination. We handle all aspects of the ALJ hearing:

• Preparation: We prepare you to testify truthfully and effectively about your pain and limitations.
• Evidence: We organize and submit crucial medical source statements from your treating physicians.
• Cross-Examination: We cross-examine the vocational expert and the medical expert provided by the SSA, challenging their opinions to prove you cannot sustain any gainful employment.

3. Appeals Council and Federal Court

If the ALJ denies the claim, we can appeal to the Appeals Council and, ultimately, file a civil lawsuit in federal court. This specialized litigation requires a social security benefits lawyer in Rock Island County with advanced legal training.

Our Comprehensive Approach to Disability Benefits

At Bowman, DePree & Murphy, we maximize the strength of your claim by focusing on medical documentation, which is the most common reason for denial.

• Comprehensive Medical Documentation: We work with your treating doctors to secure proper Medical Source Statements (MSS). The SSA gives controlling weight to the opinion of a treating physician, but only if the opinion is supported by objective medical evidence. We ensure your records contain the required objective tests, labs, and diagnostic images.
• Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) Focus: We concentrate on defining your maximum ability to perform work-related activities. We use detailed forms and testimony to establish limitations in sitting, standing, lifting, walking, and concentrating, effectively eliminating the potential jobs the vocational expert may suggest.
• Zero Upfront Cost: We operate on a contingency fee basis. We charge no attorney fees unless we win your case. Our fee is capped by law at 25% of your past-due benefits (back pay), up to a maximum statutory limit. If you don't win, you pay our firm nothing. This allows you to secure a disability benefits attorney in Rock Island County without any financial risk.

Why Choose Our Disability Benefits Lawyers in Rock Island County

Every client receives guidance from an attorney who understands local rules and how the process plays out in Rock Island County. We do not divide our time with other legal cases, so your claim gets our full attention. Some of the reasons clients choose our social security benefits lawyers in Rock Island County include:

• Exclusive focus on disability and benefits law so your case receives full attention, not divided priorities
• Over 60 years of combined legal experience helping clients win Social Security and Veterans Disability benefits
• In-depth local knowledge of Rock Island County’s procedures, government offices, and decision-makers
• Appeals all the way to federal court when necessary, providing a level of service that many others cannot offer
• No win, no fee payment policy—legal fees only apply if you receive benefits
• Free initial consultations for every client
• Professional affiliations include VA attorney accreditation and memberships in NOVA and NOSSCR

Our connections with local Social Security offices and awareness of what administrative law judges require allow us to give tailored, practical advice. Our disability benefits lawyers in Rock Island County build client relationships based on reliability and accessibility. When you call, you reach the attorney handling your file. Many area residents have told us that this open, direct communication brings reassurance during a stressful time.

Take the Next Step: Contact a Disability Benefits Lawyer in Rock Island County

If you need a social security benefits attorney or disability benefits lawyer in Rock Island County, connect with Bowman, DePree & Murphy for personal, reliable support. Your first consultation is always confidential and free, and we base our approach on open communication, detailed answers, and the decades of experience our attorneys bring to every claim. We will listen to your story and help guide you toward real solutions—so you feel empowered at every step. 

Call us at (563) 412-4755 or contact us online to schedule your appointment and move forward with a trusted legal team focused on Social Security and Veterans Disability benefits in Rock Island County.