Founded in the 1620s by religious exiles, Providence is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The city quickly became one of the first manufacturing centers in New England. Although the economic focus of the city has shifted heavily towards education, service industries, and the arts, Providence retains a strong manufacturing base to this day.
The largest manufacturing industries in Providence today are the design and production of jewelry and silverware. Other significant industries include financial services hospitals and higher education. Eight institutions of higher learning call Providence their home. Four of the city’s top ten employers are hospitals or medical centers, and two are universities (Brown University, Johnson & Wales University).
As the capital of Rhode Island, Providence is also home to many government and public service employees. Providence also maintains a bustling deep water port. Cargo typically handled in Providence includes scrap metal, machinery, chemicals, petroleum, and cement.
Over 25% of the working age population of Providence lives with a disability, compared with 17% nationwide. Of these, only 46.5% have been able to find gainful employment within the city. This percentage is low, especially when it is considered that institutions of higher learning, government agencies, and medical facilities make up a significant portion of the available work in Providence.
If you live in the Providence area and are unable to work due to a complete disability, you may qualify for Social Security disability benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicaid. You will generally qualify for SSDI if you are deemed completely disabled and have worked over the past ten years. Qualifications for SSI depend on your income and assets, along with your disability.
The first step in obtaining disability benefits from the SSA is to notify them of your intent to file. It’s a good idea to do this even if you aren’t positive that you will apply for benefits, as doing so establishes the date which will be used for calculating any back pay which may be due to you.
Be aware that only 30% of disability claims are approved in the initial stages. This is in part because you must prove complete disability, which the SSA defines as a disability which makes it impossible for you to do any kind of meaningful work which you have ever done before or for which a person of your educational level could reasonably be trained. This includes work which is available throughout the country, and not just in the Providence area.
If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. There are multiple stages in the appeals process. These include a request for reconsideration, a hearing before an administrative law judge, a judicial review, and federal court. Your claim could be accepted during any of these stages.
Apply for Providence Social Security Disability Benefits
Disability claimants should consider contracting the services of a Providence Social Security disability lawyer. Providence disability attorneys don’t charge anything up front, and only collect if your claim is approved.
Even applicants with clear cases of disability would be well advised to consider using a lawyer. Many claims are denied for issues as small as missing or incorrectly filed paperwork, problems which could be avoided with competent representation. More challenging claims should definitely be represented by a Providence Social Security attorney, as legal representation doubles the chances that a claim will be approved.
You can pick up or drop off claims paperwork, or notify the SSA of your intent to file for disability at the following nearby Social Security Offices:
Providence Social Security Disability
3rd FL Federal Center
380 Westminster St.
Providence, RI 02903
Providence Social Security Disability Resources
Unfortunately, many who apply for Social Security disability already live with the struggle of being unable to work. All too often, this means that they don’t have insurance or the means to pay medical bills.
Qualifying for Social Security disability benefits without adequate medical documentation of your disability is next to impossible. It is absolutely imperative that you receive regular medical treatment for your condition, and that you follow whatever treatment is prescribed. Failure to do so could result in a denial of benefits.
If you are struggling to keep up with bills, but need to receive medical care, consider going to one of these free or income based medical clinics in the Providence area:
Crossroads RI
160 Broad St.
Providence, RI 02903
Providence Community Health Centers at North Main Street
530 N. Main St.
Providence, RI 002904
Capitol Hill Health Center
40 Candace St.
Providence, RI 02908
Allen Berry Health Center
202 Prairie Ave.
Providence, RI 02905
Your Providence Social Security Disability Claim
While it’s certainly legal to represent yourself in a Social Security disability claim or appeal, it isn’t advisable in most cases. Your chances of being approved improve dramatically when you have competent representation.
To receive a free review of your claim, click here. A Providence Social Security disability attorney will review the details of your claim and help you determine how to best proceed with your claim.
