This information may help claimants with representation, as well as those 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 ssd and ssi benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. |
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No one is required to have Representation when they apply for social security disability or ssi.
In fact, some Representatives will advise a Claimant not to look for representation until a claim has been denied. Nevertheless, it is an unfortunate fact that many claims are either improperly decided, are decided without crucial records having been considered, or have important deadlines missed (such as filing for an appeal, or showing up for a scheduled medical exam, or a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge), simply because no one who was knowledgeable about disability claims was working to assist a claimant's case. For these reasons and others, for many people, disability representation from the very start is a good idea. However, without a doubt, anyone whose social security disability case will be heard before an Administrative Law Judge should have qualified, experienced representation. To attend a hearing unrepresented, especially after waiting so long for a hearing to be scheduled, is never a good idea. Why is this the case? For the most part, it is because an attorney or non attorney representative will do several things to properly prepare a case for a hearing, such as gather medical records, get statements from physicians, and supply copies of such documentation to an Administrative Law Judge. Furthermore, the individual providing representation will obtain a copy of a claimant's exhibit file (i.e. social security file) to analyze how earlier decisions were made during the processing of a case at the Initial claim and Reconsideration levels. By conducting such analysis, mistakes and errors regarding the evaluation of a claim can be discovered and pointed out at a hearing, and substantially strengthen a representative's argument for an ALJ to award benefits. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY LAWYER - SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAWYER REFERRAL ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 3 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 4 |
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