This information may help claimants with representation, as well as claimants who are not represented by an attorney or non attorney representative. Understanding how the Social Security Disability system works can make the difference between winning or not winning the continuing disability benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. To win a claim for ongoing and past due benefits, claimants should learn about the disability process to improve their chances of winning benefits. |
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How good are the approval chances for disability? Most disability cases get denied at the initial claim level. And most claims get denied on the first appeal, the reconsideration, as well. There's no denying these realities. The denial rates in some states, in fact, are as high as seventy percent on an initial application and eighty-five percent on a reconsideration. Nevertheless, the approval chances for a social security claim based on disability can go up in your favor if you simply get regular medical treatment from doctors (hopefully, physicians with whom you have a good relationship) and supply copies of your medical records when you submit your application for disability. That's not to say that doing either of these things will dramatically improve your approval chances for disability, but they can definitely make a difference. How so? Think of it this way. Up to seventy percent of all claims for disability get denied, yet over fifty percent of cases heard by Administrative Law Judges get approved. Why is there such a large statistical disconnect? There are several reasons. Sometimes, it is simply because some medical conditions will get worse over time...so, by the time a hearing is held, a social security claim simply looks stronger. Other times, it is because a claimant "ages into an allowance" (for example, turning from age 49 to age 50---the rules at 50 are more favorable for approvals). Many times, however, the difference in approval rates is due to this fact: for cases that are heard by ALJ's, a representative is involved more often than not and, as a natural result, more hearing preparation is done on such cases. Representatives, of course, want very much want to win their cases (no mystery there; that's how they get paid) and, therefore, do everything possible to maximize those cases, particularly when it comes to gathering medical records and physician statements. However, there's no reason why a claimant can't follow that same principle of preparedness before a case gets to a hearing with a judge, assuming it ever has to. Remember: to better your approval chances for disability (and get awarded your monthly and past due benefits), get regular medical treatment AND include your records with your disability application when you file at the local social security office. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 1 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 2 |
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If you suffer from a medical disability such as hip, neck, shoulder, ankle, wrist, back, or other joint problems, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rsi or repetetive stress injury, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, dysthymia, depression or other mood disorders, congestive or chronic heart failure, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, high blood pressure (hypertension), seizure disorder, stroke, copd, emphysema, hearing loss or poor hearing, statutory blindness, peripheral field problems or other vision loss, clinical obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity or, simply, adhd, bipolar disorder or manic depression, panic disorder, schizophrenia, autism, head trauma, memory loss, low iq, mental retardation, learning disability, epilepsy, cancer, chronic fatigue, multiple sclerosis, lupus, anxiety, inner ear problems, meniere's, vertigo or dizziness, kidney failure requiring dialysis or other renal problems, cirrhosis, hepatitis, or other liver disease, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, rsd or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, crohn's disease, sarcoidosis, peripheral vascular disease, lyme disease, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, hiv, aids, anemia, sickle cell, thyroid problems including hypothyroidism, esrd or end stage renal disease, reflux, gerd (gastroesophageal reflux disease), cfids, muscular dystrophy, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, or tachycardia, bradycardia or other arrhythmia and have initiated or been denied on a social security disability, or ssi, claim for benefits, this site may assist you with your case. Social Security Disability benefits are often difficult to win; however many claims for social security disability are lost simply because a claimant did not know enough about the disability process to their social security or ssi claim. For information re: representation on a social security disability or ssi claim (attorney or non attorney representative), see the "questions" & "how" pages. |
| Social Security Disability What if social security wants me to go one of their doctors ? |