looking for a lawyer who will take my disability case after i appealed myself

by Prof. Rosetta Kuhn 4 min read

When can I talk to my lawyer about my disability case?

May 20, 2021 · For SSDI, if you haven't worked for a numbers of years, meaning your "date last insured" is in the past, a lawyer won't likely take your case—unless you might be eligible for disability through SSI. For SSI, if you have significant income or assets, a lawyer won't be interested in your case.

How can a disability lawyer Help you Win Your Case?

If you or someone you know is unable to work because of a long-term disability, and who may be eligible to receive social security disability benefits (SSDI) from the government, a social security disability lawyer can help. Use FindLaw to hire a local social security disability attorney near you to help guide you through the claims process ...

Do I need a disability attorney to write a federal appeal?

Feb 09, 2022 · When you first contact a lawyer or nonattorney advocate, either the representative or a staff member will explain to you how the disability process works. They will then conduct an initial interview to gather the basic facts of your case. The firm will use these facts to help determine if they will take your case.

How do I find a Social Security disability lawyer?

May 05, 2020 · Instead of hiring a lawyer for your social security disability appeal, consider getting an advocate. Unlike social security disability appeal lawyers, advocates have specialized knowledge of disability rules. In fact, disability advocates must be certified by the SSA to represent claimants.

How do I win my SSDI reconsideration?

7 Tips for How to Win a Disability Reconsideration AppealFile a Timely Appeal. ... Submit the Right Paperwork. ... Draft an Effective Appeals Letter. ... Provide Additional Medical Evidence. ... Be Honest and Transparent. ... Get a Written Opinion From Your Doctor. ... Hire a Reliable Attorney.Sep 20, 2021

What happens when you appeal an ALJ decision?

If the Appeals Council decides that the ALJ incorrectly decided your case, one of two things will happen: the Appeals Council will send the case back to the ALJ to reconsider (called "remanding" the case) or the Appeals Council will decide the case themselves.

How do I fight a disability denial?

If we recently denied your disability claim for medical reasons, you can request an appeal online. A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim by someone who did not take part in the first determination. We will look at all the evidence submitted used in the original determination, plus any new evidence.

How long does reconsideration take for SSDI?

between three to five monthsOn average, it will take between three to five months to complete the Social Security Disability reconsideration process and receive this letter of decision. Here are some tips on how you can get your reconsideration request approved.

Can an ALJ decision be overturned?

ALJ decisions are not binding legal precedent. Courts or federal agencies can overturn their decisions under certain circumstances such as where those decisions are unsupported by substantial evidence in the record.Nov 5, 2020

Can an unfavorable ALJ decision be overturned?

You may appeal an unfavorable decision to the Appeals Council. Many cases that were initially ruled as unfavorable by an ALJ have been overturned either by the Appeals Council, a Federal Court, or by another ALJ.Apr 4, 2020

Why do disability claims get denied?

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

How many Social Security Disability claims are denied?

About 65% of all Social Security disability benefits claims are denied at the initial application stage. Suffering an injury or being diagnosed with a disability can be a very stressful and frightening time.

Is it normal to be denied disability first time?

Home » Frequently Asked Questions » Does Social Security Disability Deny Everyone the First Time They Apply? No, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not deny everyone the first time they apply.

What percentage of SSDI is reconsideration approved?

The percentage of applicants awarded at the reconsideration and hearing levels are averaging 2 percent and 9 percent, respectively. Denied disability claims have averaged 64 percent.

Why is my SSDI reconsideration taking so long?

A reconsideration appeal can usually be decided in as little as four weeks or as long as twelve weeks; whereas an application for disability can take as long as six months (usually, if it takes this long it is due to difficulties in procuring medical records from various doctors and other medical providers).

Why is it taking so long for SSDI reconsideration?

Because there are so many applications that are filed each year, it takes time for the SSA to process and review each one. This review time can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months on average. Most people have their initial application denied.

What Happens When I First Call A Disability Attorney?

When you first contact an attorney for representation, either the attorney or a firm staff member will conduct an initial interview with you to gat...

How Will My Attorney Develop My Medical Evidence?

Your attorney, or a staff member in the law firm, will request the medical records needed to win your claim and submit them to the Social Security...

How Will My Attorney Help Me Get Ready For My Hearing?

It is not unusual for attorneys to wait until a month or two before a disability hearing to first speak to a client. Up to that point, your only co...

Will My Attorney Arrange Witnesses For Me?

The SSA allows you to bring a witness to testify about your disability, but because witnesses can be harmful or helpful, your attorney will decide...

How Will My Attorney Argue My Case?

Your disability lawyer will determine the best way to win your case. First, your lawyer will review your denial letter from Social Security to get...

What can an attorney do to prove a disability?

There are three main possible "theories" an attorney can use to do this. Your lawyer can: prove that your condition meets a disability "listing". prove that you "grid" out of all work (including not being able to do your past work) prove that your non-exertional limitations prevent you from working, or.

What is an initial interview with an attorney?

When you first contact an attorney or law firm for representation, either the attorney or a firm staff member will conduct an initial interview with you to gather the basic facts of the case. These facts are used to help determine if the firm will take your case. The interviews are usually done by phone; however, ...

How to prove you are not capable of sedentary work?

To prove you are not capable of sedentary work, your attorney will use the documented symptoms of your illness, the opinions of your treating doctors, your testimony, and any other objective medical evidence in your file to show why you can't do various sit-down jobs.

Can you testify about your disability?

The SSA allows you to bring a witness to testify about your disability , but because witnesses can be harmful or helpful, your attorney will decide if witness testimony is necessary to win your case. Your lawyer may be interested in asking your caregivers or former employers to write letters in support of your disability.

Can an attorney represent you?

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.

Can an attorney judge you?

Remember that your attorney is not there to judge you, but to help you win your claim. Also, keep in mind that anything you say to your attorney is privileged. This means that your attorney can only share information with others that you want him or her to share.

Can a disability attorney meet with you?

Most disability attorneys speak with their clients by phone, but you can ask your attorney to meet you in person if you wish. Before your pre-hearing meeting or phone conference, your attorney will have reviewed your file and determined what issues still need to be addressed.

How to prepare for a disability hearing?

Prepare arguments that for the disability hearing. Challenge the job expert at the hearing if they argue you can perform different types of work. Prepare a brief for the administrative law judge outlining the case.

How to file for disability in California?

What can the Disability lawyer do? 1 Review your medical records and get more information if they feel that your current medical documentation is not sufficient to prove you cannot perform substantial gainful activity. 2 Send additional information to the administrative law judge prior to the hearing. 3 Prepare arguments that for the disability hearing. 4 Challenge the job expert at the hearing if they argue you can perform different types of work. 5 Prepare a brief for the administrative law judge outlining the case.

How long does it take to hear back from SSA?

If you have submitted your appeal for reconsideration (the first step in the appeals process in most states) the SSA states it could take 30 to 90 days to hear back from them. Unfortunately, this is just an estimate and it could be more or less in certain states.

Can a disability lawyer do SSDI?

Many SSDI applica nts assume that having a disability lawyer will allow them to bypass the thousands of other disability applicants and somehow catapult their disability application to the front of the disability processing line. Unfortunately, that is beyond what the disability attorney will be able to do with your SSDI case.

Can a disability lawyer expedite your application?

Although a disability lawyer will not be able to expedite your disability application they will give you a better chance of winning at every appeal step, thereby potentially saving your time. For instance, if you are scheduled for a SSDI disability hearing the disability lawyer can do the following, which can give you a better chance ...

Why won't disability lawyers help me?

Recently on our forum we had a user ask, “What if I need to appeal my Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application denial but disability lawyers will not help me? Can I make the appeal on my own?” This is a great question, but the better question is should you appeal the denial. We will discuss this question below.

Why would a disability lawyer not take my case?

Disability lawyers work on a contingency fee basis which means they will only take a case if they think they have a chance to win; otherwise, they do not get paid. So, before you decide whether to file an appeal on your own you need to find out why you were denied and why the disability lawyer refuses to help you.

Can I file the Reconsideration appeal on my own without disability lawyers?

Yes, you have 60 days to file the Reconsideration paperwork to the Social Security Administration (SSA). If you do not file the paperwork in time, under most conditions, you will have to file another SSDI disability application and start the process again.

How to appeal a denied disability claim?

Getting your denied disability claim appealed through Social Security's system. To appeal a denial of Social Security disability ( SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you'll need to follow the instructions included in your notice of denial from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The first step is to file a request ...

What happens if you lose your disability hearing?

If you lose at your disability hearing, you can request that the Appeals Council review your case. The Appeals Council randomly selects cases for review and has discretion to grant, deny, or dismiss your request for review. The Appeals Council can dismiss your case without review unless it finds one of the following:

Why does the SSA end my disability?

The SSA may end your benefits for a variety of reasons, including: a determination that your condition has improved and you can now work, or. your failure to cooperate in the CDR process.

How long does it take to get an ALJ hearing?

If your request for reconsideration (of an initial claim or a continuing disability review termination) is denied and you want to appeal further, you must request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) within 60 days from receipt of your denial.

What is reconsideration in disability?

A reconsideration is a complete review of your claim. It takes place at the Disability Determination Services (DDS) level, but is performed by a medical consultant and examiner who were not a part of the initial decision.

What happens if your disability is borderline?

If your case is borderline, you should win your appeal and your disability benefits should continue.

What happens if you file a late claim?

If you file late, request a dismissal, or die, the Appeals Council may also dismiss your claim without reviewing it. The Appeals Council usually looks for a flaw in the ALJ decision before granting a review. In those situations, your chance of winning is only 1%.

Request For Reconsideration

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing

  • If your request for reconsideration (of an initial claim or a continuing disability review termination) is denied and you want to appeal further, you must request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ) within 60 days from receipt of your denial. ALJs are attorneys who work for the SSA's Office of Hearings Operations (OHO), formerly know...
See more on nolo.com

Appeals Council

  • If you lose at your disability hearing, you can request that the Appeals Council review your case. The Appeals Council randomly selects cases for review and has discretion to grant, deny, or dismiss your request for review. The Appeals Council can dismiss your case without review unless it finds one of the following: 1. an abuse of discretion (for example, your hearing was cut …
See more on nolo.com

Federal Court Review

  • The next step in the appeal process is filing a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. If you don't yet have an attorney representative, you will almost certainly need one now. (You can use Nolo's Lawyer Directory to find a Social Security attorney in your area.) Federal judges hear disability cases without juries. The judge is supposed to review the case only for legal errors, but in reality, many …
See more on nolo.com