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Since 1953
Family-Owned Firm
4.7 / 5
74 Google Reviews
3 Generations
of Knisley Attorneys
No Fees
Unless We Win
What's at Stake After a Disability Denial
Most Ohio disability claims are denied the first time. A denial is not the end, but the appeal deadlines are short and the medical evidence has to be right. Getting help early changes the outcome.
Most claims denied at first
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60 days to appeal each denial, unless it's an overpayment
Process can take
a year +
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When a disability keeps you from working, the bills don't stop. You paid into Social Security for years, and now you need it to work for you, but the system can feel like it's built to say no. The first answer is usually a denial, even for people who clearly cannot work.
There are two main programs. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes long enough to be covered. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based on financial need. Many Ohioans qualify for one, and some qualify for both.
A denial just means the process isn't over. From there you can ask for reconsideration, then a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), where approval becomes far more likely with the right preparation. The danger is the clock: you generally have 60 days to appeal at each step. If this sounds like where you are, the difference between SSDI and SSI is one place to start, or call us for a free consultation.
How Our Ohio SSD Attorneys Help
Knisley Law handles every stage of an Ohio Social Security Disability claim, from the first SSDI or SSI application through reconsideration, the ALJ hearing, and the Appeals Council, so you can focus on your health instead of paperwork.
Filing Your SSA Benefits Application
Filing for SSA benefits is easy. You can file online, by mail, or make an appointment with SSA to file over the phone or in person. We can assist you with questions you have as you go through the application.
Reconsideration Appeals
If your claim is denied, the first appeal is reconsideration, a fresh review by the state agency. You generally have 60 days to file, unless it's an overpayment. We use it to fill gaps and answer exactly why the claim was denied.
Appeals Council &
Federal Court
If a judge denies your claim, the Appeals Council can review the decision for legal errors, and federal court is the final step. We preserve the issues at each stage so your case stays alive.
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Keeping the Benefits You Win
Approval isn't always the end. We help with continuing disability reviews, benefit offsets, and overpayment notices, so the benefits you fought for stay in place.
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ALJ Hearing Representation
Most approvals happen here. We prepare you for your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, gather supporting opinions from your doctors, and question the experts the judge calls.
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Social Security Disability +
Workers' Comp
An Ohio Workers' Comp award can offset your SSDI. As a firm that handles both, we coordinate
the claims so you keep as much of your benefit as
the law allows. See our Ohio Workers'
Compensation lawyers.
SSDI vs SSI: What's the Difference?
Social Security runs two disability programs. SSDI is for people who worked and paid into Social Security; SSI is based on financial need. Many Ohioans qualify for one, and some qualify for both.
For workers who paid Social Security taxes long enough to be insured.
Based on: Your work history and earnings record

Eligibility: Enough recent work credits (date last insured matters)

Benefit: Tied to what you earned

Health coverage: Medicare, after a waiting period
SSI — Supplemental Security Income
For people with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.
Based on: Financial need

Eligibility: Income and asset limits set by the SSA

Benefit: Up to a federal maximum set each year

Health coverage: Medicaid in most cases
Not sure which fits? Some Ohioans file a "concurrent" claim for both.
We review your work history and finances and file the right claim the first time.
Conditions That May Qualify for Disability in Ohio
Social Security disability isn't limited to one kind of condition. Physical illnesses, injuries, and mental-health conditions can all qualify if they keep you from working and meet the SSA's medical standards.
Mental-Health Conditions
Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and PTSD, when they limit your ability to work.
Cardiovascular Disease
Heart failure, coronary artery disease, and related conditions that limit exertion.
Autoimmune Disorders
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and other
immune-system conditions.
Musculoskeletal & Back Disorders
Chronic back, joint, and injury conditions that limit standing, lifting, or movement.
Cancer
Many cancers qualify, and some are approved quickly under the SSA's expedited rules.
Diabetes & Complications
Diabetes and complications like neuropathy or vision loss that limit work.
Neurological Disorders
Multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, neuropathy, and traumatic brain injury.
Respiratory Conditions
COPD, asthma, and other chronic breathing disorders that restrict activity.
What to Expect When You Hire Knisley Law
Working with Knisley Law follows the Social Security disability process, from your first application through a hearing decision, with no fees unless we win your benefits.
Application
File the SSDI or SSI claim with complete medical evidence and a documented
onset date.
Reconsideration
The first appeal after a denial, filed within 60 days, with a strengthened record.
ALJ Hearing
Present your case to an Administrative Law Judge, where represented claims win more often.
Appeals Council
Request review of an unfavorable decision, with federal court as the final step.
Why Ohioans Choose Knisley Law
A Family Firm Since 1953
Knisley Law has represented disabled Ohioans for three generations. Disability cases can stretch across years of appeals, and we're built to stay with you for the long haul.
We Handle the
Whole Appeal
From the first application through the Appeals Council, the same firm stays on your case. We don't hand you off once the paperwork is filed.
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No Fees Unless We Win
The first call is free. Social Security caps and must approve disability attorney fees, and you pay nothing unless we win your benefits. The fee comes out of back pay, never out of pocket.
Dylan went above and beyond to help me get approved for my disability very quickly. He was super helpful in explaining things to me, and was in constant communication with me. Thank you!
— Nancy, Columbus, OH · Verified Google Review
Our Track Record Helping Ohio's Disabled
For 73 years, Knisley Law has helped disabled Ohioans and their families secure the Social Security benefits they earned, through applications, denials, and hearings across the state.
73
Years Helping Ohio Families
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100+
Years Combined Attorney Experience
4
Ohio Offices Serving the State
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Aggregate figures reflect total firm activity since 1953. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Each case is evaluated on its individual facts.
We don't measure our practice by any single case. We measure it by showing up, for the worker whose disability claim was denied twice before a judge finally said yes, for the family trying to keep the lights on during a year-long wait for a hearing. That's the work, and it's what we've done since 1953.
Dylan Knisley helped me win my SSDI case. He is very professional and knows what he's doing. He kept me in the loop through the whole thing, and I would definitely recommend him to anyone who needs assistance with the Social Security process.
— Victoria, Columbus, OH · Verified Google Review
Serving Ohio From 4 Office Locations
Knisley Law represents disabled workers across all 88 Ohio counties from four offices: Columbus, Chillicothe, Lima, and Newark. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person at any office.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohio Social Security Disability
