Social Security Disability Lawyer in Ketchikan, Alaska

Let a Ketchikan Disability Attorney Help you File for Disability Benefits

Some people believe that social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits are a handout. This is a mistake. These disability programs provided by the Social Security Administration act as an insurance policy for American workers who have become disabled due to an injury or serious illness. Most workers pay into the social security disability fund through FICA taxes that are usually taken out of their regular paychecks. If you have made those payments, you can be eligible to receive benefits.
However, applying for benefits can be an intimidating task for many people. It does not take a licensed lawyer to complete the process, but many are looking to social security disability benefits attorneys to help them win their cases. A trained disability benefits advocate will be experienced with SSD and SSI law and can significantly increase the chances that you will win your case. And because many of them work on a contingency basis, you will not have to pay a cent unless you are successful and awarded your disability benefits.
To apply for Social Security disability benefits in Ketchikan, contact your local Social Security Administration office at:


This office also serves clients in Coffman Cove, Ward Cove and surrounding areas.
Known as the “Salmon Capital of the World”, the fishing industry plays a large part in Ketchikan's economy. However, tourism also has an important role with one of the major local attractions being the Misty Fjords National Monument. But Ketchikan and the surrounding Ketchikan Gateway Borough also have more than 2,000 people who qualify as being disabled . A number of them could be eligible for social security disability benefits.

Be aware that there is a difference between social security disability and supplemental security income. SSD benefits are given to disabled workers who have paid a qualifying amount into the social security disability fund. In the event of a disability, those workers are then able to receive money from that fund in the form of benefits checks. However, some have not worked long enough or paid enough into the fund to be qualified to receive SSD benefits. Those people are usually awarded SSI benefits instead. There are instances where people have been awarded both, but you must be able to prove that you are extremely low income. The good news is that you can apply for both. In fact, Social Security Administration regulations mandate that if you file an SSI application, the SSA must also accept and SSD application from you at the same time.

Before filing any type of disability claim, you should consult your doctor. Seek their opinion on if you are truly disabled and ask if they can write a letter on your behalf detailing your condition and its treatments. Having detailed and updated medical records are key to winning any type of disability claim. That means having consistent doctor visits and open lines of communication with your physician. If cost is an issue, there are free and low cost medical centers in your area that can help you get the treatment you need.

Free or Reduced Cost Medical Care