Reasons Why You Need A Social Security Attorney
Pursuing disability benefits can be a daunting task for many. You have to deal with a complex disability process, financial worries, and your medical condition as well. On top of that, there's a lot of uncertainty about whether your claim will be approved, with reports showing that nearly 70% of social security disability (SSD) claims are declined at the initial application stage.
For these reasons, it's advisable to hire a social security attorney to help in building a solid case. Here's how an attorney can help you during the claim process.
They'll Organize Strong Medical Evidence
The lack of strong evidence is one of the reasons many SSD claims are denied. If you haven't dealt with the disability claim process before, you may not know which medical evidence to present to the Social Security Administration (SSA). But a social security disability attorney does.
A competent attorney will assess your file and determine the medical records that can convince the judges that you need the disability benefits. In some cases, they can propose additional tests to develop medical records with more conviction. They can also talk to your doctors to have them record a statement that can strengthen your case.
They'll Help You When Filing Appeals
It's not guaranteed that the SSA will accept your initial claim. In fact, most social security applications entail several appeals. And in most cases, these appeals have strict deadlines. Being your first time handling a disability claim process, you need a helping hand to help you mount a strong appeal.
Social security attorneys have dealt with multiple appeals before, meaning they know what's required. Irrespective of the number of appeals required until your claim is accepted, you can count on them to guide you through it all. They'll also fill your appeals on time, so you don't have to worry about deadlines.
They'll Represent You in Court
Your application can be declined even after the appeals. In such a case, you have the option of taking your case further to an administrative law judge (ALJ) as they have the power to overturn the ruling made. Having a social security attorney to represent you will be critical for your success at the ALJ hearing.
Before the hearing, your attorney will guide you on how to answer questions and give the most convincing testimony. And when it comes to the actual hearing, they'll handle all the claims presented by the SSA while showing why you deserve the benefits.
Sometimes, the SSA can also hire a vocational expert to testify about some of the works you can do with your medical condition. It's the work of your lawyer to counter these claims, as they could reduce the benefits you're entitled to. In the end, you get to have the best deal possible.