Any advantages to gained in hiring a Social Security attorney to assist in filing a claim for disability benefits may not seem obvious at first glance. However, when one realizes that approximately 7 out of every 10 claims for disability benefits are turned down, and at least some of those claims are valid, it begins to make sense to hire someone who knows the ins and outs of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) workings when it comes to processing a claim for disability benefits.
When a claim is filed for disability benefits, it can take up to 6 months for that claim to be approved, assuming it is approved. Once reason for the delay is the SSA assumes that if someone has suffered a disability, there will be some near-term support available, such a workmans compensation, or insurance. If the claim is not approved, it may be resubmitted, or the decision appealed, but that just adds on to the waiting time, another reason to hire someone who knows how to keep the process moving.
A great deal of needless waiting can also be avoided if the claimant does not qualify for benefits on the first place, because:
1. The claimant’s condition does not meet the SSA’s standards for being considered “severe”.
2. The claimant’s condition does not appear on the SSA’s list of disabling conditions.
3. The claimant is or will be still able to do the work he or she did previously.
4. The claimant is or will be able to do certain other types of work.
5. The claimant does not meet various other types of requirements the SSA has in place, or his or her condition does not conform to the SSA definition of “disability”.
Even if a person filing a claim for disability benefits answers all of the questions in a satisfactory manner, and provides the right supporting documentation, thereby demonstrating that he or she is qualified to receive benefits, many others are unable to do so, or do not understand how to resubmit a claim, or appeal a claim that has been turned down. This is where a Social Security Disability attorney can help.
The attorney is also there to ensure your legal rights are being upheld. Disability representatives are always on hand to help you in receiving those benefits you are entitled to.
