Washington Social Security Disability Attorney Rebecca M. Coufal
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Most attorneys do not handle Social Security disability and/or SSI cases because the attorney fees are set and limited by law, and the field is highly technical. Created by statute, the Social Security laws and regulations are subject to continuing revision and modification. Effective representation in a Social Security proceeding requires a thorough knowledge and understanding of the applicable laws and an easy fluency with the rules of procedure in administrative law. This requires experience with many different types of Social Security claims, and a continuing and exhaustive study of the changes and modifications in the law as they occur.

Social Security Disability (SSD):

Social Security provides disability insurance benefits to those who have worked and paid Social Security taxes and have become disabled. In order to receive benefits, the claimant must establish 1) that the disabling condition makes it impossible to perform any substantial work, and 2) that the disability is expected to last at least a year, or until death.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI):

Social Security provides SSI benefits for those who are severely disabled but not eligible to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits, usually because they did not work long enough in Social Security covered employment to establish eligibility. SSI differs substantially from Social Security disability. The benefits are lower, there is no provision for dependent or survivors benefits, and the disabled person cannot own substantial assets nor have substantial income from any source.

Cessation:

This involves the involuntary termination of Social Security disability or SSI benefits, based usually on a determination that the disabling condition does not exist or no longer exists and/or, in the case of SSI, that the disabled person's income and/or assets are too substantial to warrant benefits.

If you or someone you know in Spokane or anywhere in Eastern Washington needs the assistance or trusted legal advice of an experienced Social Security lawyer, please contact Rebecca M. Coufal today at 866-435-1607, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions
Washington Social Security Disability Attorney Rebecca M. Coufal

The following information includes frequently asked Social Security Disability questions. The answers stated are general in nature and are not intended to apply to every situation. Each case is different and carries its own set of circumstances that must be taken into consideration by competent legal counsel. For more information about your specific legal claim, please contact Attorney Rebecca M. Coufal today.

What types of disability benefits does Social Security pay?

People who are severely disabled may be eligible for monthly benefits under one or more programs administered by the Social Security Administration. Both the Social Security program and the SSI program provide a monthly income for people with severe disabilities. The eligibility requirements for the two programs are similiar.

The Social Security program pays benefits to disabled or retired workers and their families and to the families of deceased workers. To be eligible for Social Security disability benefits, you must be disabled and must have earned a minimum number of credits from work covered under Social Security (required number of credits varies depending on your age at the time you became disabled). The SSI program provides monthly income to people who have no work history and have limited income and financial resources.

Effective January 2005, the SSI payment for an eligible individual was $579 per month and $869 per month for an eligible couple. If you are married, and only one person is eligible, a portion of your spouse's income may be counted. In addition, your financial resources (savings and assets you own) cannot exceed $2,000 ($3,000 if married). You can be eligible for SSI even if you have never worked in employment covered under Social Security. Generally, to be eligible for SSI, an individual also must be a resident of the United States and must be a citizen or a non-citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Also, some non-citizens granted a special status by the Immigration and Naturalization Service may be eligible.

I am receiving Social Security disability benefits right now. Will my Social Security benefits change when retirement age?

No. The only thing that will change after you reach your retirement age is that your benefits will be called Social Security retirement benefits rather than Social Security disability benefits. Everything else will remain unchanged.

What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit?

As of January 2006, the maximum Social Security retirement benefit for a worker retiring at age 65 was $1,971 per month. The maximum benefit for a worker retiring at age 70 as of that date was $2420. For those electing to take early retirement at age 62, the maximum monthly benefit as of January 2006 was $1530.

Can I receive Social Security benefits and another disability payment?

No, except for a service connected disability through the Veterans Administration.

What are the disability requirements for an adult?

The definition of disability under Social Security law is a strict one. To be eligible for benefits, a person must be unable to do any kind of substantial gainful work because of a physical or mental impairment (or a combination of impairments), which is expected either to last at least 12 months or to end in death. If, because of a medical condition, a person cannot do the work he/she performed in the past, then age, education and past work experience must be considered in determining whether the person can do other work. If the evidence shows that the person can do other work, even if it involves different skills or pays less than their previous work, he/she will not be considered disabled for Social Security purposes.

The Social Security Administration uses a step-by-step process to determine whether you will qualify as being disabled. The process includes the following five questions:

Are you working?

If you are and your earnings average more than $700 a month, you generally cannot be considered disabled.

If you or someone you know in Spokane or anywhere in Eastern Washington needs the assistance or trusted legal advice of an experienced Social Security disability lawyer, please contact Rebecca M. Coufal today at 866-435-1607, or complete the contact form provided on this site to schedule your free initial consultation.

Professional Biography of Spokane Social Security Attorney Rebecca M. Coufal

Rebecca M. Coufal reveres client communication and confidentiality, regarding both as top priorities in her law practice, and fully understands that matters surrounding disability claims can be traumatic and emotionally delicate in nature. Attorney Coufal provides a comfortable yet professional atmosphere, meeting personally with each client and delivering trusted legal services with compassion, dedication and skill.

Firm Address:

Rebecca M. Coufal, Attorney at Law
2131 W. Ohio
Spokane, WA . 99201
Telephone: 866-435-1607
Free initial consultations

Rebecca M. Coufal, Attorney

Rebecca M. Coufal received her B.A from University of Washington, graduated from Gonzago University School of Law, cum laude, and is admitted to practice before all state courts in Washington, including U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington and Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Practice Areas:

• Social Security Disability
• SSI
• SSD
• Title 26 GAL
• Public Defense of Parents in Dependency Cases

Professional Memberships:

• Spokane County Bar Association
• Washington Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Washington State Trial Lawyers Association

Biography:

• Temporary Law Clerk, U.S. Magistrate James B. Hovis, 1987-1989
• School Board Member, Summit Valley S.D. #202, Washington, 1974-1977
• Board Member, Career Path Services since 2001
• Board Member, Stevens County CASA Program since 2005