|
When should you contact a lawyer for an SSI or SSDI (social security disability insurance) claim? There are certainly varying opinions on this. Many disability claimants, disability examiners (examiners make medical decisions on claims), claims reps (claims reps are based at social security offices and are the individuals who take applications), and even social security lawyers will often be of the opinion that it is not necessary to find representation until a case has been denied. Is this a sound opinion? Well, yes, no, and maybe. Truthfully, in a large percentage of cases, a lawyer for disability may only monitor a case in the early stages and may only begin to do the bulk of their work at the time a disability hearing becomes necessary. However, not all cases are the same and, likewise, not all claimant's needs are alike. Though some claimants will do just fine in the intial claim phase (when an application has been filed) and will be able to request a reconsideration or review with no difficulty following an initial denial, many claimants will nonetheless benefit from early representation. And here are just a few ways: 1. From the moment representation begins, a lawyer for disability will handle a claimant's necessary paperwork, ensuring that appeals are both filed and filed timely (missing a deadline can be costly in terms of time wasted). 2. A disability lawyer will receive copies of all notices sent by SSA to the claimant, ensuring that such correspondence is properly interpreted and, when required, properly responded to. 
3. A lawyer for a disability claim will periodically check the status of an SSI or social security disability case by calling the appropriate office---which, depending on the stage the claim is at, may be the social security office, disability determination services, or the office of hearings and appeals. Status calls can, at times, be crucial, particularly if a claimant's file is only sitting in a filing cabinet, gathering dust. However, many claimants will be unaware of where they should call to get the status on a case. For example, if a case is at the hearing level, calling the social security office will be a complete waste of time. Likewise, if a case is even pending at the initial claim level, the social security office will be unable to provide any meaningful information, other than that the case is "still pending" at DDS, or disability determination services. 4. A lawyer who has been retained on an SSD or SSI claim may be able to spot an obvious error on the part of a prior adjudicator (such as a crucial piece of medical evidence that should have been considered, or the mis-application of a rule) and address this on a subsequent appeal. 5. A disability lawyer may decide, based on an early evaluation of the case, to gather medical records considerably in advance of a social security hearing date (this would be for the purpose of requesting an on-the-record review, which, if successful, would eliminate the need for a formal hearing).
So, to answer the question we began with (when to find or contact a lawyer for disability), the best answer is probably this: no later than the time you receive a denial on a social security or ssi disability claim...and perhaps as early as the time you file a disability application. For more information on representation, you may wish to visit the following pages: Information on lawyers for disability claims and representation Tips for working with disability lawyers and social security attorneys Will a social security disability attorney or ssi lawyer inmprove the chances of winning benefits ? Lawyers for social security Will a social security disability lawyer do your appeal paperwork for you ? Can you get disability benefits without the help of a social security disability lawyer or attorney ? Disability Lawyer Help on disability Claims Free Case Evaluation |
|
SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAWYERS, SOCIAL SECURITY ATTORNEYS HOW TO APPLY FOR DISABILITY USING AN ATTORNEY FOR A DISABILITY APPEAL |
|
Alabama • Alaska • Arizona • Arkansas • California • Colorado • Connecticut • Delaware • D.C. • Florida • Georgia • Hawaii • Idaho • Illinois • Indiana • Iowa • Kansas • Kentucky Louisiana • Maine • Maryland • Massachusetts • Michigan • Minnesota • Mississippi Missouri • Montana • Nebraska • Nevada • New Hampshire • New Jersey • New Mexico New York • North Carolina • North Dakota • Ohio • Oklahoma • Oregon • Pennsylvania Puerto Rico • Rhode Island • South Carolina • South Dakota • Tennessee • Texas • Utah Vermont • Virginia • Washington • West Virginia • Wisconsin • Wyoming |
| Copyright © 2003 DISABILITYSECRETS.COM |
|
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 SSI Claims Questions Disability Help and referrals for Lawyers |