how do i finad a lawyer to help me get ssi benefits?

How can I get SSI benefits fast?

How to get Social Security Disability benefits fast ― or at least, speed up the process.Meet the criteria for a “Compassionate Allowances” condition. ... File appeals quickly. ... Express “dire need.” ... Request an “on the record” decision. ... Launch a Congressional Inquiry. ... Hire a skilled Disability attorney.

Who can help me with my Social Security benefits?

Contacting Social Security In addition to using our website, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. We treat all calls confidentially. We can answer specific questions from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Generally, you'll have a shorter wait time if you call during the week after Tuesday.

What are the chances of getting approved for disability?

On average, 35% of claimants get approved on the first application, 10% get approved if they appeal a denial of their application which is called a reconsideration, and approximately 50% get approved during an Administrative Law Judge hearing.

How do I fight Social Security benefits?

Contact your Social Security office to set up a time to look at your file. Call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 to get your local SSA office number....The request for reconsideration form has three appeal options:Case Review.Informal Conference.Formal Conference.

Is there really a $16728 Social Security bonus?

The $16,728 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook: If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income.Dec 9, 2021

What is the most approved disability?

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.Dec 16, 2021

How can I increase my chances of getting disability?

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Disability BenefitsFile Your Claim as Soon as Possible. ... Make an Appeal within 60 Days. ... Provide Full Details of Medical Treatment. ... Provide Proof of Recent Treatment. ... Report your Symptoms Accurately. ... Provide Medical Evidence. ... Provide Details of your Work History.More items...•Oct 20, 2019

Why would SSI be denied?

Here are some common leading reasons claims are often denied: Lack of medical evidence. Prior denials. Too much earnings.

What happens if you get denied Social Security?

When your initial claim for Social Security disability is denied you will have to go through an appeal process. People who have legal representation at this stage are often more successful in being approved for benefits than those who decide to go on and represent themselves.

What happens if a claim is denied?

After the claim is denied, you will file a request for reconsideration. Upon the reconsideration review, very few claims are approved. After the second denial, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

What to do if you are unable to work?

If you are unable to work and are seeking disability benefits, there are many ways that a lawyer can help your claim. First off, the key to a successful case is hard medical evidence and other supporting documentation that proves your condition is so limiting you are unable to work.

How long does a disability last?

To receive disability, the condition must be expected to last a year or longer or it must be expected to culminate in your death. Disability claims can be complicated, and the odds of having a claim approved aren’t always in the favor of the disabled worker. Those who have a disability advocate or a Social Security Disability attorney representing ...

Can an attorney represent you at a hearing?

An attorney can represent you at this hearing and will be able to help you prepare for questioning at the hearing. An attorney will be able to determine what kinds of questions you will be asked and will be able to help you determine the best way to proceed with your claim.

How long does it take to get backpay?

You cannot receive backpay for more than 12 months before your application date minus the five-month waiting period. However, it can often take several months to have a disability claim approved and those months are added into the count for backpay.

Do disability attorneys get paid?

Disability attorneys and advocates take cases on the contingency basis. This means that your advocate or lawyer isn ’t paid until your claim is approved and you get disability benefits.

Here are some easy ways to find a Social Security Disability attorney for help with your case

Having the right help on a Social Security disability case can easily make the difference between winning and losing a claim for benefits, so deciding the issue of legal representation, and which legal representative will handle your SSD or SSI disability case, is no small matter.

Where Can I Find a Good Social Security Disability Lawyer?

Social Security disability representatives can be found in a variety of different listing sources. The Yellow Pages, the Internet, legal aid clinics, and the referral service operated by each state's bar association are often used to locate qualified disability lawyers and attorneys.

How Should I Select the Best Disability Lawyer for Me?

How do you determine whether an attorney disability representative is especially suited to handle your Social Security disability or SSI disability case? Simple. Contact a representative's office and ask questions. First and foremost, ask if the lawyer has experience in winning disability claims for your medical condition.

Disability Lawyers vs. Nonlawyer Representatives

Good representation at the initial application stage and first two levels of appeal can usually be obtained from an attorney or a nonattorney representative (many of whom are former disability examiners and Social Security claims reps). But for an appeal to the Appeals Council, you'll definitely want to hire a lawyer.

Accuracy

With Affleck & Gordon, we make sure we conduct a thorough intake consultation with our clients to provide as much clarity as possible regarding what the SSA expects from a claimant to have their claim approved. When you begin your SSI claim, you have several options. You can file your claim online if you meet certain categories.

Communication

One of the greatest benefits of having a lawyer for SSI on your side is that we’ll communicate as a team with you and the SSA, and the SSA will also contact your legal team throughout the process at all times. We’ll also communicate with you every step of the way.

We Know the Law

It’s often said that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” At Affleck & Gordon, we know the law and the intricacies that could trip up your claim. We know the right documents needed to support your claim so that you are more likely to receive the appropriate benefits for your disability.

We Fight For You

Simply put, the Social Security Administration may move quicker when they see that you have legal representation. They understand that legal teams take on cases deemed winnable, and that the best SSI lawyers will fight to win on behalf of their clients.

Who Are We?

We’re Affleck & Gordon, and we’re a firm dedicated to assisting disabled and injured people in Georgia. Tens of thousands of our clients receive Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with our team on their side.

Why do you need an experienced disability attorney?

This is because a successful hearing requires significant preparation, a thorough understanding of the issues, and the ability to ask the SSA's vocational expert the right questions. Also, an experienced disability attorney is familiar and comfortable with the process, which will allow him or her to prepare you and your child for the hearing.

How long does a child have to be disabled to get SSI?

that the condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 consecutive months, and. meets certain household income ...

How to determine if a child is disabled?

To find that a child is disabled and eligible for SSI, the Social Security Administration (SSA) must conclude that the child: 1 has a physical or mental condition that seriously limits the child's activities 2 that the condition has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 consecutive months, and 3 meets certain household income and asset eligibility requirements.

Why is my disability denied?

However, one common reason that claims are initially denied is that the disability claimant (or claimant's parent) did not provide enough information needed to prove the disability. An experienced disability attorney will review your file carefully to make sure that you submit the correct evidence.

What are the conditions that qualify for disability?

visual and hearing loss. chronic liver disease. burns. HIV. cancer. kidney disorders, and. heart transplants. Each condition has specific, and usually complicated, criteria that must be met in order to qualify for disability; additionally, the SSA will only accept certain types of medical evidence, depending on the child's condition. ...

Why is it so hard to get disability for my child?

Getting disability benefits for your child can be difficult because the evidence needed to support a child's claim is frequently complex. An experienced disability attorney will be able to review your child's claim and advise you as to how to get the best outcome possible.

Is SSI a federal benefit?

Caring for a physically and/or mentally disabled child can be not only emotionally demanding, but financially devastating. Fortunately, there are financial resources available for income-eligible disabled children in the form of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a federal benefit program administered by the Social Security Administration ...

Can I win my disability claim without a lawyer?

The disability claimants who do win their claims without the help of a lawyer may not obtain the most favorable "disability onset date," which can mean a smaller amount of backpay. The date of onset of the disability determines how much a claimant will receive in backpay, so being able to prove the earliest possible onset of disability is important for a Social Security disability or SSI claimant. (Learn more about onset date and backpay .)

Do I need an attorney for disability?

Though you aren't required to have an attorney in a disability claim (with an appeal to federal court being the exception), attending a hearing before a judge without the assistance of a legal professional can result in a lost opportunity to win disability benefits. ( Here's why .)

Can I afford a disability lawyer?

Most disability claimants think they can't afford a disability lawyer or law firm, but a lawyer can charge you only if Social Security approves you for benefits, at which point the lawyer's fee is taken out of the back payments that Social Security will owe you.

Do you have to go to an ALJ hearing for SSDI?

For this reason, most SSDI and SSI claims will need to go to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge (ALJ) before a claimant can hope to receive disability benefits. It is at the level of an ALJ hearing that having a disability attorney can really help win a claim.

Can I hire a lawyer for disability?

If you're considering filing a Social Security disability claim because you find it hard or impossible to work, or you've already filed a claim and been denied, you may be wondering if you should hire a legal professional. Most disability claimants think they can't afford a disability lawyer or law firm, but a lawyer can charge you only ...

How does the SSA determine if a worker has worked long enough to receive benefits?

The SSA determines whether workers have worked long enough to receive benefits by calculating the amounts they should receive and converting their earnings into work credits. A worker can earn four credits for a year of work, depending on his or her yearly income (one-quarter of coverage, or QC) changes every year. In 2017, a worker will earn one work credit for every $1,300 of wages or self-employment income. However, when the worker earns more than $5,200, they are capped for the year as he or she received four credits. The formula for this number is complicated, but it is recalibrated annually and never decreases.

Who is eligible for SSDI?

Eligible applicants include those who have worked a total of at least five of the 10 years before developing their disabilities. Dependents, including children and spouses, may also be able to collect if a parent qualifies for SSDI. Disability benefit amounts are based on the applicant’s work history and earnings.

Can you get denied Social Security?

More often than not, applications for Social Security disability are initially denied; however, an initial denial does not necessarily mean that the applicant is not entitled to benefits.

Can SSI help with disabilities?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may be able to help families with children who have severe disabili ties if they have minimal income and limited resources. These benefits may be paid regardless of a parent’s ability to work, and will continue as long as a child is disabled and unable to provide for himself or herself financially.

Does long term disability insurance cover pensions?

Some individuals have long-term disability (LTD) insurance policies through their jobs, carry their own coverage, or have these policies worked into their pension plans. Similarly to SSD, LTD compensates disabled employees for a portion of the income they would have received if they were working.

What to do if your claim is denied?

Your attorney can respond on your behalf to any questions posed by the claims examiner during this stage. Hearing: If your claim is repeatedly denied, or if you do not agree with the results, the next step is to request a hearing by an administrative law judge.

Can a denied Social Security claim affect your family?

More often than not, applications for Social Security disability are initially denied; however, an initial denial does not necessarily mean that the applicant is not entitled to benefits.

The Advantages of Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer Before You Apply

If you hire an experienced Social Security disability lawyer before you apply for Social Security disability benefits, then you can be confident that your attorney will:

The Advantages of Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer If You Need to Reapply

You may not have hired a lawyer the first time you applied for Social Security disability benefits and your application may have been denied. However, you can benefit from a Social Security disability lawyer if you need to reapply. Specifically, you should consider that:

What Does it Cost to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

If you decide to hire a lawyer to represent you at any stage of the SSA disability process, you should know how that lawyer is paid. First and foremost, you do not pay the lawyer any fees that are not part of your settlement. Federal law regulates this.#N#You only pay if the lawyer succeeds in getting your benefits for you.

How to reinstate SSI benefits?

1. Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday but make sure you have your SSI disability paperwork and information about your income (pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or separation notice). 2.

What is SSI disability?

SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is provided by the Social Security Administration for claimants who are aged (65 years or older), disabled or blind but who have not been employed or have not paid enough employment taxes to accumulate work credits to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI ). Additionally, SSI claimants must also have and have VERY limited income and resources and be unable to work work at a substantial level for at least 12 continuous months.