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Here’s What You Should Know about Disability Benefits

If you have become disabled, you may know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) offers a benefits program for people who meet their medical criteria. The application process can be complicated, and unfortunately, it’s easy to be denied because of a simple mistake. The best strategy to ensure that you’re able to obtain the coverage you need is by working with a Social Security lawyer who can help you understand the regulations and complete the right forms. That way, your application will be as thorough and accurate as possible.

Here are more details on what the Social Security lawyers at Whiting Law do for their clients, and why working with an attorney can make life much easier.

Filing an Initial Application

There are two Social Security programs available for those who can’t work because of an injury. The first is Disability. If you have a condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least a year, you can apply for this benefit. The amount you will be awarded is dependent on several factors, including how many years you have previously worked and what taxes you’ve paid in the past. Disability benefits can typically be applied for online.

Further assistance is available through Supplemental Security Income, which allots funding to people who are disabled and have limited resources. It is calculated based on your need. In most situations, you can also apply for SSI online.

Your Social Security lawyer can help you ascertain which type of benefit you may be eligible for. Making this determination is important so that you’re able to get all the assistance you’re qualified for, and it will also dictate what forms and documents you’ll be required to submit to the SSA.

Filing an Appeal

There are different reasons why an application may be denied. You might be identified as ineligible for disability benefits if your condition doesn’t fall into what the SSA considers to be disabled. It’s also common for people to be denied as a result of not providing all the necessary documentation with their application. Having a Social Security lawyer assist with the initial filing is a good way to avoid either of these errors.

If you’ve already submitted an application for disability benefits and been denied, you have the option to appeal the decision. In other words, you can ask the SSA to take another look at your request. A skilled Social Security lawyer will be able to help you quickly figure out what was lacking from your original application and correct it.

In some circumstances, the solution can be as simple as filling out an additional form or making a minor adjustment to your paperwork, but in others, you may still be turned down despite providing all the correct forms and documentation. Many people give up when they are denied, not realizing that it often requires a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ) to finally get approved.

A Social Security lawyer can make sure the ALJ has evidence to support your case, including statements from witnesses and doctors that you may not have known were needed.

A hearing itself can be nerve-wracking and intimidating for a lot of people. Your attorney will make sure you are prepared for the hearing and will be by your side throughout it. Having an experienced Social Security lawyer is absolutely vital to navigate this process, ease your fears, and give you the best chance possible to get approved.

Choosing a Social Security Lawyer

The information you will include in an application for benefits is extremely personal. You’ll be required to submit details about your income, as well as your medical and employment history. Your Social Security lawyer must be someone you can trust, so look for a law firm with positive testimonials and that practices community engagement.

At Whiting Law, we’ve won hundreds of Social Security appeal cases. Our clients turn to us with the confidence that our attorneys have both extensive knowledge of the law and genuine compassion. That’s why when we defend our clients in court, we make sure they not only receive the benefits they’re entitled to, but also all back payments to cover what they should’ve been getting from the start.

Do you need assistance with a Social Security appeal, or are you planning to apply for disability benefits for the first time? Contact a Whiting Law attorney and discover how we can simplify the process.