A skilled attorney can help you get approved for benefits more quickly.
If you are considering applying for Social Security disability benefits, you may have already talked to other people or read online about how difficult and lengthy a process applying for benefits can be. Many applicants go through several levels before finally being approved, which can take over a year. That is where having a seasoned Social Security disability attorney can be an incredible asset. While a lawyer cannot put you on a separate track from other applicants, they can help make sure that your application has a better chance of being approved.
That is because experienced Social Security disability attorneys understand what the Social Security Administration (SSA) staff is looking for when it comes to applications for disability benefits. A lawyer can help you fill out your application in a way that demonstrates that you either meet a listing, or that you are not able to perform any work. He or she can also gather the appropriate medical evidence to support your application, and request support from your doctor or doctors in a way that will help your case. Your Social Security disability attorney will understand what terminology should be included by your doctors to help you be approved by the SSA, as appropriate. Finally, if necessary, your Social Security disability attorney can inform the SSA if you have a terminal illness so that your case can be expedited. If your application is put together in this way, then you will have a better chance of being approved on the first round, and can potentially avoid having to go through the appeals process.
If your original application is denied, the next step is to appeal the decision and request an “on the record” (OTR) decision. At this stage, a Social Security disability attorney can again be a tremendous asset, even if you were not represented in filing the original application. Your lawyer can write a concise brief that describes why you should receive benefits, include new medical records to support your case, and seek out new evidence from doctors to answer any additional questions that the SSA may have about your disability.
If you are denied at the OTR level, then your Social Security disability attorney can assist you at the hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Your lawyer can help you by preparing you to answer the questions that may be asked of you at the hearing so that you can answer clearly and concisely, and choose and prepare witnesses to appear at the hearing on your behalf.
While hiring a Social Security disability attorney does not guarantee that you will be granted Social Security disability benefits or the speed at which your benefits will be granted, having a lawyer on your side can help you put together the best possible case and have the strongest chance of being approved.
At PLBH, our attorneys are highly skilled at helping clients navigate the complexities of the Social Security disability system. We understand that many of our clients seeking Social Security benefits are under financial stress, so we work on these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you do not pay any fees unless we get money for you. Contact us today at (800) 435-7542 or info@plblaw.com to learn more about how we can help you. Initial consultations are always free.