The Right Time to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer

A lot of Social Security applicants have been wondering at which point in the initial application and the appeals process they should be considering the services of a Social Security disability lawyer. A lot of them also think if they are allowed to hire a legal representative to oversee their disability claims in all the stages of the application process, whether be it on the initial stages or in the appeals process.

The fact regarding this matter is that the Social Security Administration (SSA) allows applicants to seek the legal services of a disability lawyer. This option is widely recognized by many as a beneficial move that increases the chances of many disability applicants of being awarded Social Security Disability benefits.

FINDING THE RIGHT DISABILITY LAWYER TO HELP WITH YOUR CLAIM

To begin with, the processing of the claim can be very confusing. Forms that need to be filled out and medical evidence that need to be retrieved and sent to Social Security are the primary instructions when undergoing the stages of initial application. If the claim is denied – which happens most of the time – then the appeals process sets in, which may eat up months or even years of one’s life just to complete it.

The probability of undergoing such stressful work in dealing with Social Security can be lessened with the help of a qualified Social Security disability lawyer. All claim forms are filled out completely and all medical information are submitted to the SSA without any hassles with the help of the legal representative.

The outcome of the claim may change drastically with a disability lawyer, but it is not every time that these legal attorneys are able to represent a client in the initial stage of the disability application. Accordingly, you can look for any Los Angeles Social Security Disability Lawyers who is willing to help you with your claim in both the initial disability application and the appeals process.

What You Need to Know Before Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits Online

People live in the age of the Internet, where they can do almost everything using an online connection. From communication to shopping, online services and social media have become a normal thing for most people, young and old alike.

To go with the times, government offices and entities have made themselves available to the people through online means. One of them is Social Security Administration (SSA). Accordingly, people who wish to apply for disability benefits can do so using the online tool of this federal entity. The old-fashioned way of applying for benefits is still there, but it is said that the online option is a faster, more reliable way of getting an approval.

Visit Ssa.gov for further information regarding the online application

If you are planning to apply for disability benefits online, you may have to first consult with the online tool on the website of the SSA called the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. This will help you determine if you can actually qualify for benefits under the Social Security disability program or not. All the needed information and your expectations regarding the disability program will be provided by the said tool.

Moreover, it is important for you to know that the online application isn’t entirely the whole process in itself. In fact, you still need to write down pertinent information on certain SSA forms and to collect valuable information such as medical evidence to support your claim. Also, it is required that you submit in person, or through an authorized representative, your claim to your local SSA field office.

Furthermore, the online application is not for everyone. While the online option is a quick and convenient way of having a chance for disability benefits, your case may not qualify for such. For example, if you are applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you cannot use the online application option.

To begin with, there is no online option for SSI; such option is available only for those applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

Applying for disability benefits online is a choice. However, it is best that you consult with any Los Angeles Social Security claim lawyers to help increase your chances of getting your claim approved.

Source: http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/blog/applying-social-security-disability-online

The Need of a Social Security Lawyer in Updating a Hearing Testimony

Getting through the hearing process can be quite a hassle. If you are under stress in dealing with this stage of the appeals process, it is quite common to forget certain things that are worth mentioning to the administrative law judge (ALJ) who is handling your case. In this regard, you may be thinking if you can do something about updating your testimony for the hearing.

Photo Credits: Ricochet.com

In essence, you may feel like doing so if the information that you need for the update would be very important in shifting your chances of winning the case at the disability hearing. Good thing there are ways in which you can update your testimony, especially if you forgot to bring up that so-called “missing link” to help the ALJ veer towards an approval.

For this to happen, you must have first retained the services of an expert disability attorney. To begin with, since your claim is denied, it would be very useful for you if you work with a lawyer at this stage of the appeals process. If you have one, then your two-way communication with the ALJ will go through your representative first.

In this sense, if you want to update your hearing testimony with the ALJ who is handling your case, it is best that you consult with your attorney first. You must let your attorney know about what you left out in the testimony, and ask him or her to submit the information to your judge through writing.

Meanwhile, if you don’t have a lawyer from the start of the disability appeals process, it is best that you should retain one at the soonest possible time. As it is, not having one would just hurt your chances of winning back your disability benefits, therefore resulting in another denial and another stage of the appeals process, which is the Appeals Council.

Incidentally, as early as now, you may want to retain the services of an attorney, even at the initial application process. If you are living in California, you may retain the services of any Los Angeles Social Security disability lawyers to boost your chances of getting an approval.