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If you become disabled and unable to work, or your medical or mental condition is worsening to the extent that this may soon be the case, you should, without a doubt, consider filing for disability benefits. And you should do this immediately simply because the evaluation process for social security and SSI disability claims is very long. If you've already filed a disability application, however, and the application is for SSI, you've probably wondered at some point, "What are my chances of winning SSI disability benefits?". The answer to this question depends on the level your claim is at (assuming you have started the processed by completing a disability application and interview). For initial claims, the average rate of approval nationwide is approximately thirty percent. In other words, about seven out of ten new claims for SSI disability and social security disability are denied at the most basic level. And, unfortunately, it gets worse, at the next step: at the first appeal stage (currently known as a reconsideration but possibly soon to be relabeled as a "review"), approximately fifteen percent of claims are approved---meaning more than eighty percent of first appeals are denied. Obviously, the numbers do not favor SSI disability and social security disability claimants at the lower levels as the rates of denial are fairly high. Fortunately, for SSI and SSD claimants, however, approval rates go up considerably at the hearing level. Disability hearings occur at the second appeal step and, unlike the first two steps of the disability evaluation system, a claimant actually gets to meet the individual who will decide their claim, an administrative law judge. Also at this level, an SSI or SSD claimant may have an attorney or non-attorney to assist them with their claim and provide representation. 
Is there a difference between having an attorney versus an non attorney? Not really. In fact, many non-attorney claimant's representatives are former employees of the social security administration or disabillity determination services and, thus, may be initimately familiar with how the system works. What are the chances of winning SSI disability or social security disability at the hearing level? Though this may vary by state, nationally the estimates are that unrepresented individuals will have roughly a forty percent chance of winning disability benefits at a hearing while claimants with representation will have approximately a sixty percent chance of winning SSI disability or social security disability benefits at a hearing. How do you improve your chances of winning? By avoiding specific mistakes, certainly (here's a list: Mistakes to avoid ). However, you can also increase your chances of winning SSI disability or social security disability by providing updated medical records at a hearing (by the time a hearing occurs, the last records that will have been gathered on your behalf by the social security administration will most likely be several months old). You can also improve your chances of winning by having a physician who has treated you and is familiar with your condition provide a detailed statement on your behalf. However, this statement should avoid the type of language that is routinely used by many doctors (i.e. my patient is permanently and totally disabled and unable to work) and should focus on highlighting your physical or mental limitations that actually limit your ability to work. Disability Lawyer Help on disability Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY SSI LAWYER ANSWERS TO YOUR SSDI & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 3 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSDI & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 4 |
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If you suffer from a medical disability such as hip, neck, back, or other joint problems, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, rsi or repetetive stress injury, inflammatory bowel disease, 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, vision loss, clinical obesity, 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, cardiomyopathy, or tachycardia, 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 "qurstions" & "how" pages. |
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