Five Major Motivations For Hiring A Social Security Attorney
If you are unable to work at your job because of a medical condition, you may qualify for monthly payments from the Social Security Administration (SSA). This government agency sponsors a program for people like you called Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The claims process is well-known to be lengthy, time-consuming and confusing, however. Most people filing claims for SSDI are not healthy, and may experience many problems coping with the rules and requirements necessary. Many people try to file claims without legal assistance, but you could be affecting your chances for a successful claim approval by doing so. Read on to learn the five major motivations for hiring a Social Security attorney.
1. Don't miss important deadlines. If you have been turned down for your claim, you must file your appeal within a relatively short period of time: 60 days. If you miss this deadline, you will likely need to begin the entire application process from the beginning again. If you have a good reason for missing the deadline, such as being hospitalized, an exception may be made. Social Security attorneys know and understand the importance of deadline filings.
2. Procure your important medical records in a timely manner. There is no single piece of evidence that attests to the severity of your medical condition as that of your medical records. It can be a real challenge to obtain a complete set of records from multiple medical facilities, but legal offices have personnel who are skilled in accomplishing this task.
3. Be aware of local procedures and judges. The main focus of your appeal hearing should be to provide the judge with a clear understanding of the extent of your medical condition. This can best be accomplished with the help and guidance of a lawyer familiar with local courtroom customs and how certain judges want their hearings conducted.
4. Prepare well for your appeal to achieve maximum success. No one can prepare you for your appeal hearing like a lawyer who has been before that same judge numerous times. Being comfortable enough to adequately express how your medical condition has affected your ability to work at your job is paramount, and your attorney will conduct practice sessions with you until you are well-versed and relaxed.
5. Increase your chances for success by having an legal advocate on your side. For various reasons, simply having an attorney to represent you at the appeal will improve your chances of winning benefits by 63.3%. For those who represent themselves, the success rate drops to a low 40.1%.
The decision to hire legal help to represent you during this stressful time should not be taken lightly. Talk with a Social Security attorney or firm like Connor Law to learn more about how you can get the disability benefits that you are entitled to receive for your condition.
