Though it’s hard to give an exact figure of how long it takes to get disability benefits with a lawyer, having legal assistance can shorten the claims processing time from 2 years to at least 3 months. Social security disability attorneys already know what the SSA wants to see and hear.
Sep 22, 2018 · How long it takes to get disability with a lawyer can go from months to years. It all depends on the complexity of your case and where you reside. For you to receive a decision for your initial claim application, it can take up to six months. If the decision is a denial, you have the right to appeal for Reconsideration.
Jun 07, 2010 · The process can take anywhere from one month to three years, depending on where you live and the complexity of your case. It typically takes up to six months to receive a decision when you initially apply for disability. If you are denied, you have the right to a Request for Reconsideration. This stage takes approximately two to seven months.
How long disability approvals take on applications and appeals. 1. The application decision will be made in 3-4 months, with most decisions made in under 90 days. This is what Social Security usually quotes. 70 percent of cases will be a denial, and 30 percent will be an approval. 2.
The fastest way to receive benefits is to get an approval from Social Security based on your original application for disability benefits (rather than having to appeal the decision, which can take more than a year). When you have an attorney or disability advocate's expertise in knowing what Social Security is looking for, you have a better chance of winning benefits during the …
The fastest way for you to start receiving disability benefits is to get your initial claim approved on the first round of review. When this happens, you do not have to wait for an appeal, which can take years.
The majority of people receive denials in the first round of review and the next step, or the first appeal, is called Reconsideration. At this stage, you can request an on the record (OTR) decision, but only with the help of an experienced Social Security Disability attorney, do you realistically have a chance of getting approved at this level.
If you are denied at the Reconsideration level, your case will proceed to a hearing in front of the ALJ. The average waiting time for a hearing is currently in in the 15 – 20 month range from the time the Request for Hearing is filed with the SSA.
Your attorney can ensure that you follow the standard required to get your claim legally. When you follow the normal procedure, you will never make mistakes that may eliminate your chances of getting the disability claim. In short, your lawyer will help you avoid the pitfalls which in turn can fasten your case.
The waiting time for hearing on Disability cases are all back to back with each other especially around the US, Washington, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC areas. This is due to many reasons like;
The first process is the initial claim or the application for the disability level. At this level, it can take you a minimum of 100 days for your initial claim to get a decision. Majority of the initial claims are rejected by the state’s disability examiners of course.
It typically takes up to six months to receive a decision when you initially apply for disability. If you are denied, you have the right to a Request for Reconsideration. This stage takes approximately two to seven months. If you are denied again, you have the right to Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.
Otherwise, the Federal law says Social Security attorneys get paid a fee of 25% of your retroactive benefits, or $6,000.00, whichever is less, and only if you win your case.
In the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas, it takes roughly one to two years to get a hearing date with the Judge.
What a lawyer can do is to make sure that you don’t make procedural mistakes that will slow the process down. So, in that regard, a lawyer can help you speed up your case. But, hiring a lawyer does not mean your case will be sped through the line over others without a lawyer.
The fastest way to receive benefits is to receive approval based on your original application for Social Security disability benefits (rather than having to appeal the decision, which can take more than a year).
At the hearing, a disability attorney can improve your chances of winning the appeal after the hearing, rather than having to go on to appeal to the Appeals Council. A disability lawyer can: prepare you to answer questions that may be presented to you at the hearing so that you can clearly relay the specifics of your medical impairments ...
If your original application is denied, the next fastest way to receive benefits is to have an "on the record" (OTR) decision. A Social Security disability attorney can: 1 write a clear and concise brief that meets the requirements set out by Social Security and presents arguments for why you should receive benefits 2 gather any new medical records or try to obtain information from physicians to answer questions that may not be in your medical records but is requested by Social Security 3 write a proposed decision that, if approved by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), saves time since you do not have to wait for the ALJ to write the decision, and 4 speak to the Attorney Adjudicator to relay the specific merits of your case or to negotiate your disability onset date.
At the hearing, a disability attorney can improve your chances of winning the appeal after the hearing, rather than having to go on to appeal to the Appeals Council. A disability lawyer can: 1 prepare you to answer questions that may be presented to you at the hearing so that you can clearly relay the specifics of your medical impairments and limitations to the ALJ. 2 work with you to choose witnesses to appear at the hearing and prepare the witnesses so that the witness provides the necessary information.
The fastest way to receive benefits is to receive approval based on your original application for Social Security disability benefits (rather than having to appeal the decision, which can take more than a year).
If the OTR decision is denied, your case will then be sent to a hearing. If you are applying for SSI and you are in financial straights, an attorney can write a dire need letter for you, which can get your hearing date scheduled sooner.
Next, your attorney will develop a "theory" of why you are disabled under Social Security disability law. Your attorney will write a legal brief for the judge explaining the theory of the case. There are three main possible "theories" an attorney can use to do this. Your lawyer can: 1 prove that your condition meets a disability "listing" 2 prove that you "grid" out of all work (including not being able to do your past work) 3 prove that your non-exertional limitations prevent you from working, or 4 prove that your exertion level is " less than sedentary ."
You must answer all of your attorney's questions as honestly as you can—even if the questions are embarrassing or you feel ashamed of the answers. Otherwise, your attorney cannot represent you effectively. Remember that your attorney is not there to judge you, but to help you win your claim.
When you think you won't be able to work for a long time, have a free consultation with a disability lawyer.
The most important reason to hire an attorney to help with your disability case is that your chances of being approved are significantly increased.
The general rule is "the earlier, the better." If you're even considering filing for disability, you should call a disability attorney for a free consultation. Your attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case and assist you with your initial application.
A disability lawyer generally gets a quarter of your Social Security back payments, if you win. Social Security attorneys work "on contingency," which means that they collect a fee only if they win your disability claim. Whether you are applying for SSDI (Social Security disability) or SSI (Supplemental Security Income), ...
While lawyers in Social Security disability cases cannot charge upfront fees for their time, they are allowed to charge a reasonable upfront fee to cover expected expenses in a case. So some attorneys will ask you to pay a small amount in advance to cover the costs associated with your case.
Usually, copying and mailing costs in a case are not more than $100 - $200.
You may have a future month of entitlement, because of the mandatory five month waiting period for Social Security Disability claims for which you are not entitled to receive disability benefits (note: SSI claims are not subject to a waiting period).
The month of entitlement is the actual month that you are entitled to receive disability benefits. You may have a future month of entitlement, because of the mandatory five month waiting period for Social Security Disability claims for which you are not entitled to receive disability benefits (note: SSI claims are not subject to a waiting period).
Once your claim is back in your local office, a social security claims representative, or CR, completes all the necessary actions to get your claim into disability pay status. Generally, they are able to quickly adjudicate your disability claim and you will receive your Social Security Disability or SSI benefits the month you are entitled ...