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SOCIAL SECURITY'S 2014 STATISTICAL SUMMARY

At the end of each fiscal year, the US Social Security Administration releases pertinent statistics about their disability program for that year.  Here is what we glean from the 2014 fiscal year at Social Security.
 
  • Your initial application has a 32% chance of being approved (only 27% in Alabama).
  • You have a 45% chance of winning your hearing before an administrative law judge.
  • The Appeals Council approves 1% for payment and returns 14% back to the judge for more consideration.
  • Federal District Courts award 2%, return 43% to the administrative judge, deny 47%, dismiss 8%.
The 45% award rate at the hearing level is the lowest in the history of the Social Security disability program.  Across the nation, lawyers, advocates and organizations are scratching our collective heads, trying to figure out why awards are so low.  Theories differ.  What we all agree on is that "Social Security disability is a tough nut to crack."

As you review the 2014 averages, keep in mind that 85% of all the individuals in these numbers were represented by counsel.  I suspect that if we could look at the 15% of individuals who were not represented, the averages in that group would be dismal, indeed.  

Why should you risk paying an attorney or representative 25% of your back pay to represent you?  Because 100% of nothing is nothing.  75% of something is a lot better.

--The Forsythe Firm - Huntsville (256) 799-0297

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