If your claim has been denied, do not despair! You still have options and we can help!
If you are having social security disability problems, such as denial of benefit you probably have many questions such as:
Why was my application denied?
Most claims are denied because the medical evidence is not sufficient to prove that you are totally disabled. This could be because you are not seeing the proper specialists, because of inadequate medical records, because the doctor does not understand the legal requirements, or because the Social Security Administration's reviewers misinterpreted the medical records. The SSA rarely denies you have a medical diagnosis, or that you are impaired, but does deny that you proved the legal requirement of being "totally disabled." Our lawyers and staff work with our clients' medical providers to make certain that the medical proof is as strong as possible.
What is involved in the Appeals Process?
If you have received a denial of benefits there is a Social Security Disability appeals process. As with any governmental process, there are certain procedures one must follow. According to the Social Security Administration, if you wish to appeal, you must make your request in writing within 60 days of the date of the denial letter.
In most states there are four levels of appeal. They are:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge
- Review by the Appeals Council and
- Federal Court
Do I need a Lawyer?
Having an Social Security Disability attorney at any stage of the process of filing your claim for Social Security Disability benefits greatly enhances the probability of having a the claim accepted. However, at this stage in the process, time is of the essence because you must file your appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving the denial of benefits letter.
In addition one must be prepared to appear in front of an Administrative Law Judge, and to advocate with the Appeals Council, or even a federal court, all with increasing levels of complexity.
The statistics show that far more claims are awarded when the claimants have experienced attorneys representing them, and almost every Administrative Law Judge will tell you that they prefer claimants to be represented.
While for some law firms SSDI and SSI are marginal parts of their practice, at the law firm of Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd it is our practice and we are specialists in securing assistance for our clients who are in need of SSDI or SSI benefits.
At Jeffrey A. Rabin & Associates, Ltd., located in Des Plaines, Illinois and serving SSDI and SSI claimants in Chicago, Illinois and nationally, we understand that in addition to knowledgeable and experienced attorney, clients also need a comfortable and respectful environment in which to discuss their Social Security Disability concerns. That is why we always strive to provide a comfortable and respectful environment in which to serve our clients.
If you have hesitated to obtain legal counsel to assist you in the process of filing your Social Security Disability claim because you have been afraid that you cannot afford the fees, then hesitate no longer! We work on a contingency fee basis-that means no money up front, no hourly fees. The Social Security Administration must approve our fees and we file our fee agreement with SSA in every case.
In Social Security Disability cases, attorneys' fees are regulated and usually capped by federal statute, and attorneys' fees are paid when you get paid.
