If you have recently become disabled through illness or injury, applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can provide much-needed income to pay your bills. Although hiring an attorney to help you isn’t mandatory, the application process can be challenging and time-consuming. Many ind viduals don’t fill out the forms correctly. Working with an attorney can give you tangible benefits. Here are six advantages of working with a Social Security disability lawyer when applying for benefits.
1- You Have a Better Chance of Approval
The Social Security Administration (SSA) indicates that only 21% of applicants receive claims approval on their first attempt. Approval rates vary by state, with Tennessee coming in at 40% for initial applications and a 58% approval rate following a disability hearing. Working with an attorney can increase your initial chances of acceptance by as much as 23%, according to a 2022 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research.
2- Attorneys Understand the Appeals Process
Even when working with a legal professional, you’re not automatically assured of approval on your first try. Your lawyer will be familiar with judges who handle the appeals process and what they want to see during an appeal hearing. Your lawyer will help provide missing medical evidence, draft a detailed brief for the judge, and prepare you for questions at the hearing. They may also be able to cross-examine experts at the hearing to prove you are unable to work.
3- Help Gather All Necessary Documents and Medical Records
An incomplete application is one of the most significant reasons for denial. Your lawyer can fill out your application on your behalf and help gather all necessary medical records and other documentation to prove your claim. Attorneys are invaluable for reviewing the application for mistakes, especially if you complete some of it on your own. They’ll look for errors or omissions that can hurt your chances of approval. They can also join you when meeting with Social Security officials and may work directly with the SSA to get information direction from your SSA file.
4- Streamlines the Application Process
When working with an attorney, you’ll most likely be able to submit your application sooner than if you work on your own. This action can be particularly crucial if SSA deems your application eligible for fast-tracking due to qualifying medical disorders or personal circumstances. Although you won’t get payments immediately, fast-tracking can shorten the claims processing time from months to a matter of days in some circumstances.
5- Managing Important Deadlines
Often, SSDI applicants miss essential deadlines to submit information or may ignore requests for additional information. When this happens, you’ll have to restart the application process from the beginning. Disability attorneys familiar with the process won’t miss deadlines.
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6- Peace of Mind
Instead of worrying whether or not you’ll be approved for benefits, you’ll relax and have peace of mind knowing you have a professional who has your back.
If you need help in applying for SSDI payments and want to increase your approval chances, contact a local lawyer with a specialization in Social Security Disability for a consultation.
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