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470 reviews
Merrillville Social Security Disability Lawyers
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50+
Years Focused on
SSD Claims -
NOSSCR
National Board
Leadership - 2 Languages English & Spanish
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$0
Fee Unless
You Win
Free Case Evaluation
Why Merrillville Applicants Turn to Scully Disability Law
Social Security Disability is not one department inside a general practice firm. It is what we do. Our attorneys work with disability claims every day, examining medical records, work histories, functional limitations, Social Security rules, and unfavorable decisions to determine what a claim needs to move forward.
That focus becomes especially important when your claim is denied. We know how to look beyond the denial itself, identify what may be missing from the record, and prepare the medical and vocational evidence that matters at the next stage.
If there is a basis to keep fighting, we do not treat a denial as the end of the road. Our attorneys represent disability claimants at hearings and pursue further appeals, including federal court when appropriate.
Over 50 Years Of SSD Experience
Decades spent exclusively on Social Security Disability and SSI claims for Chicago and Chicagoland residents.
National Board Leadership
Our lead attorney serves on the Board of Directors of NOSSCR and formerly chaired the Chicago Bar Association’s Social Security Section.
Thousands of Hearings, One Client at a Time
We’ve represented claimants in thousands of hearings across Illinois, treating every new case with the same diligence as our first.
Accessible, Personal Service
You work directly with a dedicated Social Security Disability attorney throughout your case, not through a rotating call center.
You will meet with the attorneys who will represent you from start to finish. No meeting your lawyer for the first time at your hearing, a common occurrence with the national disability franchises. We are very accessible to our clients.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
We Can Help at Every Stage of Your SSD Claim in Merrillville
A Social Security Disability claim can involve several stages, from the initial application through reconsideration, a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, Appeals Council review, and federal court when necessary. Merrillville residents have a local Social Security field office at 1438 E. 85th Ave., but your claim is still decided under the same federal disability rules that apply nationwide.
Wherever you are in the process, our Merrillville Social Security Disability lawyers can help you understand what the SSA is looking for, develop the evidence behind your claim, respond to a denial, and prepare for the next stage when an appeal is necessary.
Filing Your Initial SSDI Application
Your initial application lays the foundation for your disability claim. Social Security will ask about your medical conditions, treatment, medications, work history, and the ways your health limits what you can do. Merrillville residents can apply through the Social Security Administration online, by phone, or with assistance from Social Security.
Our attorneys can help you prepare your SSDI application, identify the medical and work information Social Security needs, and make sure your limitations are clearly documented from the start. We look beyond the diagnosis itself to help build a complete picture of why your condition prevents you from maintaining substantial work.
Challenging an SSDI Denial at Reconsideration
If your initial application is denied, reconsideration is generally the first level of appeal. This is not simply a matter of asking Social Security to look at the same information again. Your claim may need updated medical records, clearer evidence of your functional limitations, or additional information about why your condition prevents you from working.
We will review the denial and the evidence already in your file to identify weaknesses or gaps that should be addressed. Your SSD attorney then helps develop the record for reconsideration and makes sure your appeal is filed within the applicable deadline.
Preparing for Your Social Security Disability Hearing
If your claim is denied at reconsideration, you can request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. SSA determines how and where the hearing will take place and provides those details in your hearing notice.
By this stage, your medical records may span years and your Social Security file may contain hundreds of pages. We review that record before the hearing, identify the issues the judge is likely to focus on, prepare you for questions about your symptoms, treatment, daily activities, and work history, and represent you during the hearing.
You will not be meeting an unfamiliar attorney for the first time on the day of your hearing. The lawyer preparing you knows your claim and the evidence behind it.
Requesting Appeals Council Review
An unfavorable hearing decision does not necessarily mean there is nowhere else to go. You may be able to ask the Social Security Appeals Council to review the Administrative Law Judge’s decision.
At this stage, our work becomes more focused on the decision itself. We examine what the judge concluded, how the evidence was evaluated, and whether there are legal or procedural issues that provide grounds for further review. The Appeals Council can deny review, issue its own decision, or return a case for further proceedings.
Appealing an SSDI Denial in Federal Court
If you have exhausted the required administrative appeals and Social Security’s final decision remains unfavorable, federal court may be the next step. For claimants in Merrillville and Lake County, Social Security appeals fall within the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, which has a divisional courthouse in nearby Hammond.
A federal court appeal is not a new disability hearing. The court reviews Social Security’s final decision and administrative record for legal errors. When appropriate, our attorneys evaluate the record for grounds for judicial review, prepare the federal court appeal, and continue representing you through this next stage of your SSD claim.
Received a denial? Do not put it aside. Social Security generally allows 60 days to request the next level of appeal, and your notice will explain the deadline that applies to your claim. Our attorneys in Merrillville can review where your case stands, explain what comes next, and help you take the appropriate next step.
Get Help With Your SSDI Claim at Any Stage in Merrillville
Whether you are preparing to apply, waiting on a decision, appealing a denial, or getting ready for a disability hearing, you do not have to figure out the next step alone. Our Social Security Disability lawyers can review where your claim stands, help strengthen the evidence, and guide you through what comes next. You can meet us in person, or speak with us by phone or video if traveling is difficult.
Recent Case Results
Every claim is different, and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. These examples show the kind of work we do at each stage of the process.
Scully Disability Law Gives You the Ability to Fight Back Instead of Giving Up
More than just a firm motto, this is our mission since the founding of our law firm, and we have the track record to prove it!
We work hand in hand with our clients and have been doing so for a very long time. It is difficult to find any other firm that has been practicing in this area longer than we have.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
How Do I Qualify for Social Security Disability in Merrillville, IN?
To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you generally need enough recent work history covered by Social Security and a medical condition that keeps you from performing substantial work. Your disability must also have lasted, or be expected to last, at least 12 months or result in death.
For Merrillville workers, that work history can look very different from one claim to another. You may have spent years in transportation or production, construction and maintenance, sales, service work, an office, or a professional occupation. Social Security looks at both the work you have done and what your medical condition still allows you to do.
When evaluating your SSDI claim, Social Security considers:
- Are you currently working? Your earnings and work activity may determine whether SSA considers you to be performing substantial gainful activity (SGA).
- How much does your condition limit you? Your impairment must significantly restrict your ability to perform basic work activities.
- Does your condition meet or equal a disability listing? Some impairments satisfy specific medical criteria in Social Security’s Listing of Impairments.
- Can you still do your previous work? If you do not meet or equal a listing, SSA considers your remaining abilities and the demands of relevant jobs you have held in the past.
- Could you adjust to different work? If you cannot return to your previous work, Social Security may consider your age, education, work experience, and functional abilities when determining whether other work is possible.
This is why your diagnosis is only part of an SSDI claim. A back condition that prevents someone from lifting or standing through a shift raises different work limitations than a neurological or mental health condition that affects concentration, memory, pace, or attendance. What matters is documenting how your condition affects the work activities your jobs actually required.
Our Merrillville SSD lawyers can bring your medical evidence and work history together to show the full impact of your limitations and why they prevent you from maintaining substantial work.
What if I qualify for SSI instead? SSDI is generally tied to your Social Security-covered work history, while Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based disability program with income and resource limits. Some claimants qualify for both. Visit our Supplemental Security Income (SSI) page to learn more.
Our fees are strictly controlled by Social Security. We are prohibited by law from overcharging, and we are proud of never having done so.
Thomas J. Scully III
Founding Attorney
What Medical Conditions Qualify for SSD Benefits in Merrillville?
A disability can affect your ability to work in very different ways. For Merrillville residents working in healthcare, retail and service jobs, transportation, production, construction, offices, and other occupations across Northwest Indiana, the issue may be chronic pain that makes a full shift impossible, limited mobility, worsening illness, or symptoms that interfere with concentration and reliability.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a Listing of Impairments with criteria for certain medical conditions, but meeting a listing is not the only way to qualify for disability benefits. Our Merrillville SSD lawyers handle claims involving physical, mental health, and chronic conditions such as:
Musculoskeletal & Physical
- Degenerative disc & spine disorders
- Chronic pain conditions
- Arthritis & joint disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Injuries limiting mobility
Mental & Cognitive Health
- Depression & anxiety disorders
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Intellectual & developmental disabilities
- Cognitive decline & memory disorders
Systemic & Chronic Illness
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes with complications
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Cancer & treatment side effects
- Autoimmune disorders
- Respiratory conditions
Meet Our Attorneys
Attorney Thomas J. Scully III
Founder of Scully Disability Law, Thomas J. Scully III has dedicated more than 40 years to helping individuals pursue Social Security Disability benefits. A Vietnam Veteran and former Chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Social Security Law Committee, he brings extensive experience representing claimants at disability hearings and throughout the appeals process. He is committed to providing personal, compassionate representation to every client he serves.
Attorney Michael DeYoung
Michael DeYoung has spent the majority of his legal career representing Social Security Disability claimants throughout the disability process, including hearings, Appeals Council reviews, and federal court appeals. A Northwest Indiana resident, he understands the challenges faced by individuals seeking disability benefits and provides direct, attorney-led representation focused on achieving the best possible outcome for each client.
Client Testimonials
Choosing a disability lawyer is personal, especially when your ability to work and financial security are at stake. See what former clients say about working with Scully Disability Law, and why they recommend us to their loved ones.
I am an Illinois attorney with over 40+ years of litigation practice so I know great lawyers when I have experiences with them. I referred a case to Tom Scully and have met with him on multiple occasions. He is forthright, clearly a renown expert in disability law, and he and his staff were a pleasure to work with. He and his staff gave me an assessment of the case that was straightforward given the bureaucracy and delays caused by the process.
In the end he was very successful in getting a great result. He is my top go-to lawyer for these types of cases.
Timothy Daw
5.0I cannot thank Attorney Michael DeYoung and the entire staff enough for everything they did to help me through my disability case. From the very beginning, they treated me with kindness, compassion, respect, and patience during one of the most stressful times of my life.
I highly recommend this law firm to anyone needing help with a disability claim. They truly care about their clients and go above and beyond for the people they represent. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.
Christine Graf
5.0I think that everyone was very nice and went above and beyond for us! They kept in contact with us and was always there to answer all questions! Michael DeYoung was amazing with my husbands case! The staff is amazing! I would recommend this law firm to everyone that needs help with their case! Thank you for all your help Michael you did a great job for us!
Tami Hubbard
5.0I am very grateful for the entire staff at attorney Scully’s office. Their professionalism and empathy speaks volumes to clients they represent. If you or a loved one needs their assistance they help you every step of the way. I truly can’t say enough good things about this law firm
Sarah Kuechenmeister
5.0Speak to an SSD Lawyer Serving Merrillville and Northwest Indiana
Scully Disability Law represents disability claimants in Merrillville and throughout Lake County, including nearby Crown Point, Hobart, and Griffith. Your first consultation is free, and you can speak with our team by phone or video if that is easier for you.
Wherever you are in the disability process, you receive personal, attorney-led representation from someone who knows your claim and stays involved.
Highland Office
- 9105-A Indianapolis Boulevard, Suite 102, Highland, IN 46322
- (219)419-4497
- contactus@scullydisabilitylaw.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for disability benefits often raises questions. Here are answers to some of the questions Merrillville residents commonly ask us about SSDI.
Your first consultation with Scully Disability Law is free, and you do not pay an attorney fee unless you win your case. If you are awarded past-due benefits, the attorney fee is generally paid from those benefits and is limited by Social Security rules. The SSA must approve the fee before your attorney can collect it.
There may also be costs for obtaining medical records needed to support your claim. Those charges come from your medical providers, not Scully Disability Law, and typically range from about $50 to $200, depending on the provider and the records required. We explain the fee arrangement and potential costs before you hire us so there are no surprises.
You can apply for SSDI online through the Social Security Administration, by phone, or through Social Security directly. Merrillville also has a Social Security office at 1438 E. 85th Ave. if you need local SSA assistance. Scully Disability Law can also help you build the application itself. We work with you to describe your past jobs accurately, document the limitations caused by your condition, and make sure the medical evidence supports the story your application is telling. Starting with a well-developed SSD claim can prevent important details from being left for Social Security to figure out later.
Usually, no. A denial is generally the point at which you appeal the existing claim, not throw it away and file the same application again.
The first thing we want to see is your denial notice. It tells us what Social Security decided, where you are in the process, and when you need to act. Appeal deadlines are generally 60 days, so this is one piece of mail you do not want sitting unopened on the counter.
From there, our SSD lawyers in Merrillville can determine whether the claim needs additional medical evidence, clearer information about your limitations, or legal arguments addressing problems with the decision.
There is no honest one-size-fits-all answer. An SSD claim decided at the initial application stage can look very different from one that proceeds to reconsideration, an Administrative Law Judge hearing, or another appeal. What we can control is our side of the process. Your disability attorney in Merrillville will track deadlines, obtain medical evidence, check the status of the claim, respond when Social Security needs additional information, and prepare for the next stage rather than waiting until a deadline is around the corner.
If you live in Merrillville, your disability hearing will not necessarily take place at the local Social Security office. The Valparaiso hearing office serves the Merrillville Social Security field office area, although where you actually appear depends on how Social Security schedules your hearing.
An Administrative Law Judge will ask about your medical conditions, treatment, past work, and how your limitations affect your ability to work. A vocational or medical expert may also testify. This is why prior preparation matters. Before the hearing, your attorney will review your case with you, prepare you for the judge’s questions, and represent you throughout the hearing.
Possibly. To qualify for SSDI, you generally need enough recent work history covered by Social Security, but you do not necessarily have to be completely out of work when you apply. Social Security also considers how much you are earning and whether your current work amounts to substantial gainful activity (SGA).
If your health has forced you to reduce your hours, switch to lighter duties, miss work frequently, or receive extra help on the job, tell us. Those details can be important when evaluating how your condition has changed your ability to work.
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