If you have been turned down for the Social Security benefits you need, you are not alone. The application approval process can be confusing for most applicants, and the chances of being denied after months of waiting are high. Fortunately, all Social Security applicants are entitled to appeal an adversarial ruling. If you are determined to get the benefits you need, you should consider both appealing the decision and using an attorney to do so. Read on to find why having an attorney will make all the difference with your Social Security appeal.
Appeal Hearings are Too Important to Attend Alone
You may not get another opportunity to have your case heard and to get benefits. You will need to stand before an administrative law judge and a vocational expert and explain why your medical condition makes it impossible for you to work. You will need to have medical evidence of your condition and be ready to counter any arguments by the vocational expert that are brought up. For example, the judge may have the vocational expert state why you should still be able to carry out the duties of your job, but the information they have about your work tasks may be wrong. Your attorney will have the knowledge and the ability to cross-examine the vocational expert so that the true seriousness of your disability becomes plain to the judge.
Automatically Increase Your Chances of Getting Your Benefits Approved
Studies show that just having legal representation present during your appeal hearing automatically increases your chances of a successful hearing. When an attorney is present, your odds of getting approved for Social Security benefits are about 63.6 percent. Without an attorney representing you, the odds of getting approved for benefits fall to about 40.1 percent. Attorneys know how the system works, how the appeal hearing is run, and are able to present information and evidence to the judge far better than most claimants are able to do.
Gather Your Medical Evidence in a Timely Manner
When you get your denial letter in the mail, you should take note of the date by which you should file for your appeal. In some cases, you won't have much time to gather the evidence you need to present at the appeal hearing. From the time the letter is sent, you only have 60 days to file your appeal, and the hearing is usually scheduled for soon after the request. Your attorney has experience gathering exactly what you need and knows how to get that evidence quickly and in time for your hearing.
Talk to a Social Security attorney about your appeals case today.
Share8 November 2018
Many people assume that when they file Chapter 7 bankruptcy, they will have to give up their homes and other property. This is not necessarily the case. I am a bankruptcy attorney, and I have helped many clients file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy without giving up homes, cars, and other property. When you file for bankruptcy, the property you are allowed to keep depends on your individual circumstances and the state where you live. Most states allow exemption for property you are currently paying for. This blog will guide you through that information and help you determine if filing Chapter 7 bankruptcy is the right choice for you.
