People with disabilities who are in need of financial support may not realize that they can hire an experienced disability lawyer to assist with filing for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA). Hiring a lawyer is an excellent decision for disabled people who are already struggling to deal with their medical conditions and pay bills.
The disability benefits application process can be difficult for those who do not understand legal and medical terminology, what documentation is needed, and meeting deadlines relevant to the claim. Some disabled people are not mentally or physically able to make a claim themselves and need the help of a person who understands the claim process.
When you hire Disability Lawyers, you are getting representation with years of experience successfully obtaining benefits for disabled clients. Sometimes first time applicants are denied benefits due to incomplete applications, failure to meet certain deadlines, or lack of medical information. Qualified attorneys are also available to assist with the appeal process as well.
Why is a disability lawyer important?
There are several advantages to hiring a disability lawyer for your disability claim, including:
- Your chances of approval increase
- A lawyer will have a strategy to represent you
- A lawyer will understand what disability criteria is required by the SSA’s Blue Book
- A lawyer can review the case and help you obtain relevant documentation
- A lawyer can get a medical opinion from your doctor and draft a detailed brief to the administrative law judge (ALJ)
- A lawyer can prepare you for the hearing
- A lawyer can elicit useful testimony from you at the hearing
- A lawyer can question SSA officials about any adverse determination on benefit eligibility
When do you need a lawyer?
Any person who is dealing with a disabling condition or conditions who wants to file a claim for disability benefits would be well-advised to get a lawyer on board. Applying for benefits with legal representation is an ideal way to go about your claim or appeal.
Many lawyers begin with a free consultation and review of the case. The lawyer can go over your medical history, obtain your doctor’s information, assist you with obtaining relevant documentation, and complete the application package on your behalf. If cost is an issue, know that nothing happens without a thorough discussion of the attorney’s fee structure and much of the attorney’s fee will come from a successful award of benefits.
Many people do not hire a lawyer until after their first attempt at claiming benefits has been denied. This can delay entitlement to benefits for something as simple as administrative error. It is worth getting a lawyer at the outset to improve your chances of getting approved to receive benefits without having to appeal.
What will a lawyer do?
- The attorney knows how to move your case quickly through the system because of experience
- A lawyer can work with SSA to expedite your claim if you have a terminal disease and are experiencing financial hardship
- A lawyer can help if your disability has rendered you homeless because the inability to work has lead to your home being foreclosed
- A lawyer can employ different legal strategies based on the circumstances of your case to help obtain a favorable decision, faster
Applying for benefits can be a long and complicated process, but having a lawyer makes it much more manageable. The attorney will ensure that your claim is accurately filed to avoid being denied. If you are denied, they can represent you throughout the appeal process, including at ALJ hearings. An initial denial can be painful, but by taking the help of an attorney, you have a greater chance of obtaining benefits for your disability.
Many people believe that only legal professionals and attorneys can help them determine if their family member has a legitimate claim. Disability lawyers in PA who specialize in helping people with disabilities build cases to test entitlements for assistance or assistance waivers find that this belief is far from reality.
