Why Hire Us? 

    We believe that the best representation is honest, sincere and to the point. 

    When you seek help in a disability claim, there are two main things that you should look for:  someone who will fight for your rights, and someone who will do that as quickly as they can.  Since 1973, Schad and Schad has helped thousands of deserving individuals obtain the Social Security benefits they need.  Schad and Schad has a staff of representatives with over 55 years of combined experience. When we sit down with you to evaluate your case, we will ask the hard questions that need to be asked.  Before a contract is signed, you will know why we are taking the case and what our theory is.  We do not take cases because you have a 'pretty good chance.'  We take cases in which we have reviewed the records and can confidently say "Yes!  We will fight for you."  We believe that if you are going to patronize us with your business and your time, you deserve a firm idea of exactly what we will be doing. 

    For many of our clients, time is of the essence.  Once we have taken your case, we are immediately looking for ways that we can make this process faster for you.  Are there times when it is not possible to speed up a case?  Of course.  But that doesn't mean that we don't try.

    At Schad and Schad, we handle every case in a one-on-one manner. Despite the many Social Security claims that we have handled over the years, we are constantly reminded that every claim- every person- is different.  And, despite our appearance, we are actually a small office.  We are light on our feet, act quickly,  and have tremendous capability and support.  We are technology-oriented, and are always seeking ways that we can serve our clients better and faster. 

    Social Security offers two separate programs for disability.  We've provided some general info below to help you sort out which one will apply to you. 

    If you have a question, though, please call us.  We can get straight to your question without having you stumble across the Internet for an anwer.  Or use the contact form located to the left.

Types of Disability

Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance
     This is the program that most people refer to as "Disability," "DIB", or "RSDI" benefits. Many people mistakenly believe they are automatically eligible to receive a benefit from the government  just because they have worked.  While this is generally true, the key word about the 'Disability' program is that it is actually insurance.  Your insurance premiums are paid based on a combination of how much you have worked and, more importantly, when.  

    Consistent employement is the key to maximizing your benefits.  Someone who has worked consistently for the past five years will (generally) remain elligible for disability benefits for five years from the year they last worked.   People who have not worked for the last five years (but worked regularly before that) will have less than five years of elligibility.  If you can prove that you became disabled in the elligibility period, your benefits continue from your 'onset date' until you reach retirement age or are well enough to work again.

Supplemental Security Income
     Supplemental Security Income, commonly referred to as "SSI," is a needs-based program whose elligibility is determined by the amount of income that comes into your household on a monthly basis.