Obtaining Social Security disability benefits can be a very long, difficult and frustrating process. Social Security disability requirements can be confusing. It is important to understand that it may take a couple of years for your disability claim to be approved. For this reason, it is important that you apply as soon as you realize you are unable to work. You can apply in three different ways:
- Go to your Local District Office (LDO) and apply in person;
- Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 and apply over the telephone or set up an appointment to go to your LDO and apply in person; or,
- Go to www.ssa.gov and apply online.
The Social Security office encourages people to apply online. But before you apply in any manner, you need to gather together information that will be needed to complete the application process such as the names and address of all your treating physicians, dates of service, dates of any type of medical tests you have had, your employment history for the past fifteen years, and a list of your medications.
Once you have applied for Social Security disability benefits, Social Security will send you numerous forms to complete and return to them. These forms can be very confusing and often times it is helpful to have an attorney to help you complete these forms. It is important when completing these forms that you are honest and thorough in all information that you give Social Security. Be sure and tell them about all of your doctors, including psychiatric treatment or other treatment that you may consider “personal”. Social Security will also gather your medical records from your doctors to determine whether or not you have a medical disability and if it, along with your education and prior work history, prevent you from working at any type of job.
There are normally three stages in the disability application process:
- Initial Application;
- Request for Reconsideration; and,
- Request for Hearing.
When is the right time to hire a Tennessee Social Security lawyer or a Georgia Social Security lawyer? Our office recommends that you go ahead and apply for Social Security disability benefits to see if you get denied on your initial application. If you are approved on your initial application, then you will have saved the cost of the attorney’s fee.
If you are denied on the initial application, it is very important to appeal or file a request for reconsideration in a timely manner. Social Security disability requirements mandate that you have only 60 days in which to appeal. If you miss the appeal deadline, you will lose your case and have to reapply and start all over again. You could also lose back pay benefits that you might have otherwise received if you have to reapply. It is also very important that you always appeal your claim. Do not quit just because you get denied. Most disability claims are denied on the initial application and reconsideration levels but may be approved when heard before an Administrative Law Judge. It is in these later stages that an experienced Tennessee Social Security attorney or Georgia Social Security attorney can benefit you most. An attorney will know how to navigate the appeals process, what type of evidence is needed in order to qualify for disability benefits and the right time to submit the evidence in order to get your case approved.
What about paying the attorney? Our attorney fee is on a contingency basis. This means that we do not get paid unless you do. The fee is 25% of your back pay or the maximum amount allowed by law at that time – whichever amount is less. Our initial consultation is always free.
At The Hamilton Firm, we know the ins and outs of the various Social Security disability requirements and know how to help you qualify for Social Security disability benefits. A good Tennessee Social Security attorney or Georgia Social Security attorney can help you get the benefits you have earned and deserve.
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