If your medical condition is making it impossible for you work at your job, you may qualify for Social Security benefits. This government-run program helps provide a little financial relief for sick workers who've paid into the system throughout their working lives. A lot of applicants end up getting denied, however. The good news is that you may get a second chance at being approved for the benefits you need, but you can raise your chances of an approval on appeal by quite a bit by seeking legal help. Read on to learn more.
You may need more proof: The Social Security Administration (SSA) needs to see irrefutable proof of the medical condition that you are claiming makes you unable to work at your job. That can mean one thing: medical records. If your denial was based on lack of medical proof, you might find it a challenge to get the needed records in time. A Social Security lawyer knows exactly what is needed and the way to get them quickly so that the appeals officer will see the seriousness of your disability.
You may need to move quickly: The SSA will send you a letter through the mail informing you of your denial and letting you know about the appeals hearing. This is your chance to have your case heard in person, but you must get your request in before the deadline passes. If you miss that 60-day deadline, you must start all over again with your application process, something that you don't want to have to do. Having professional legal help will mean that you get all the requirements for your appeal accomplished on time.
You may be intimidated by the appeal: It's only natural to be nervous when you realize just how much is at stake. By the time you reach the appeals stage, you have likely endured months and months of financial need, and this is no time to make a mistake. Fortunately, your Social Security lawyer has been before the hearing officer in the past and will know how to best prepare you for the experience. There is nothing like having legal support at the hearing to calm you down and allow you to convey how much you need these benefits.
You may need that "attorney bump": Statistics about these appeal hearings show that, no matter what, your chances of getting an approval rises dramatically if you show up with legal representation. Speak to a Social Security lawyer for help with your appeal and pay no money upfront if you are owed back pay.
Share21 April 2018
I have never been someone who likes the idea of suing another person, but after my family was plowed into by a drunk driver with no regard for the law, my tune changed. I realized that I needed to do what I could in order to make things right, so I started looking for a lawyer who could help me to fight for the settlement I deserved. It took a few months in court, but by the time I won my settlement, I felt a lot better about things. This blog is all about getting the legal help you need when you need it the most.