The Social Security disability system is a mess!
If it worked like it should, you would not need a lawyer or advocate. You could do it yourself....maybe. But not any more.
Unrepresented clients (called "unrepped") are not taken seriously. When you report for your hearing, the first thing the judge will do is offer to postpone until you find an attorney. That should tell you something!
Social Security has the most narrow definition of disability in the world. It is so narrow, you can barely see light through it. For most claimants, you have to convince SSA that you are not able to perform any type of work: even simple, unskilled minimum wage jobs. And you must produce doctor's records to prove it.
You also have to prove the exact date upon which you became disabled. And you need medical evidence to prove it.
If you intend to collect back pay, you had better pay attention to things like: Date Last Insured, Alleged Onset Date, Substantial Gainful Activity, Acceptable Medical Sources and a lot more.
Claimants who are really disabled can wait 1 to 4 years to get approved. There are now 1.1 million people who have been denied benefits and are waiting for a hearing. Only 42 percent of those will ever be approved according to the national averages released in 2016.
When you finally get a hearing, you will face two very tough professionals: an administrative law judge who denies more claimants than he approves, probably. And you'll face a vocational expert who has a million available jobs in her tote bag. Both serious problems for you!
You have some chance with an experienced, savy and tough representative. Without one, forget it. Don't waste your time.
If it's serious and you really need your money, call the Forsythe Firm or another good advocacy firm. There are several good firms in north Alabama who specialize in representing Social Security claimants. Find one and get ready to do battle. Social Security money doesn't come easy. Not any more!
NEED HELP? CONTACT the FORSYTHE FIRM
If it worked like it should, you would not need a lawyer or advocate. You could do it yourself....maybe. But not any more.
Unrepresented clients (called "unrepped") are not taken seriously. When you report for your hearing, the first thing the judge will do is offer to postpone until you find an attorney. That should tell you something!
Social Security has the most narrow definition of disability in the world. It is so narrow, you can barely see light through it. For most claimants, you have to convince SSA that you are not able to perform any type of work: even simple, unskilled minimum wage jobs. And you must produce doctor's records to prove it.
You also have to prove the exact date upon which you became disabled. And you need medical evidence to prove it.
If you intend to collect back pay, you had better pay attention to things like: Date Last Insured, Alleged Onset Date, Substantial Gainful Activity, Acceptable Medical Sources and a lot more.
Claimants who are really disabled can wait 1 to 4 years to get approved. There are now 1.1 million people who have been denied benefits and are waiting for a hearing. Only 42 percent of those will ever be approved according to the national averages released in 2016.
When you finally get a hearing, you will face two very tough professionals: an administrative law judge who denies more claimants than he approves, probably. And you'll face a vocational expert who has a million available jobs in her tote bag. Both serious problems for you!
You have some chance with an experienced, savy and tough representative. Without one, forget it. Don't waste your time.
If it's serious and you really need your money, call the Forsythe Firm or another good advocacy firm. There are several good firms in north Alabama who specialize in representing Social Security claimants. Find one and get ready to do battle. Social Security money doesn't come easy. Not any more!
NEED HELP? CONTACT the FORSYTHE FIRM
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