Virginia Beach Social Security Disability Lawyers

How much Social Security Disability you’ll be paid is based on how much money you have earned over the last 35 years. In 2026, the maximum benefit per month was $4,152. That number changes every year, based on the monetary needs of the people who depend on SSDI benefits.

Disabled individuals currently receive an average monthly SSDI benefit of around $1,800, according to the Social Security Administration. Additional benefits may be paid based on your averaged indexed monthly earnings (AIME) from your highest-earning years, and for qualifying spouses and other dependents. To calculate your actual benefits — your primary insurance amount (PIA) — the SSA will look at your AIME and how much of your wages went into Social Security or FICA taxes.

Those with a limited or nonexistent work history may qualify for SSI instead of SSDI. As of 2026, the maximum individual SSI monthly payment is $994, or $1,491 for couples.

The chances of being awarded SSDI are lower than you might expect. Nationally, 64% of all initial Social Security claims are denied. The odds get even worse on appeal, with fewer than 14% of requests for reconsideration being granted.

Those odds can improve, however, when you have an expert attorney on your side and when your appeal is heard by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This raises the approval rates to nearly 60% for appeal applicants. Ultimately, around one-third of all applicants will receive SSDI benefits, though many will go through a lengthy appeals process before they are approved.

Yes, it can certainly be worth the effort of trying to get Social Security Disability benefits if you are truly disabled and can no longer work. Keep in mind that as an employee, you have paid into the Social Security fund via your FICA tax withholdings. This means that SSDI is not a handout. Rather, it is income you have already earned. If you’re like most people, employment is your primary source of income. Few can afford to go without it. SSDI can help make up for the income shortage experienced when you are no longer employable due to a qualifying permanent disability.

You can improve your chances of receiving SSDI benefits by first gathering up all of the medical records that will serve as proof of your disability. Make sure you have detailed medical evidence of your diagnosis, test results, and ongoing treatment plans. While you’re in the midst of the application process, be sure you are following all your treatment plans, taking prescribed medications, and making lifestyle changes as directed by your physician.

Next, seek professional representation from a qualified SSD lawyer. Having a reputable and dependable advocate who understands Social Security law will help you make your Social Security Disability case and increase your chances of securing benefits. Your lawyer will assist you with your application and steer you through the entire process, even if you’ve been denied in the past.

Without proper completion of all forms and questionnaires, the SSA may discredit statements and testimony.

Your team of SSD lawyers will help evaluate your entire medical situation and may be able to uncover supporting evidence for your claim.

A skilled disability lawyer can help you understand what to expect at your hearing and ensure you’re ready to present your case clearly and accurately.

A qualified SSD attorney will use their years of established contacts to better track how the case is progressing through the system and keep it moving toward a fair decision.

If it becomes necessary, your attorney will build a strong, clear appeal that makes the case for why you qualify, backed by the evidence and legal arguments that matter most.