Appealing Social Security Disability Benefits
Appealing Social Security Disability Benefits is an important step in getting the compensation you deserve. It is completely normal to feel discouraged after being denied Social Security Disability benefits. As a matter of fact, many are denied Social Security Disability benefits. There are a number of factors that can lead to your claim being denied. Maybe you are still able to work, or perhaps you waited too long to file your claim. Your application may even have been incomplete; missing medical evidence and documentation about your disability. There are a number of reasons why they said no, but let’s review what you can do after being denied.
A denial of benefits does not mean you may never qualify. It just means it is time to re-evaluate and apply again and here are some reasons why:
Standing up for yourself after being denied your benefits
You have every right to claim what is yours. The simple truth is most claims are denied. However, you have the right to appeal for your Social Security Disability benefits. If you do not appeal your Social Security Disability benefits, then you are not only giving up your right to the benefits you deserve at that moment in time, but you might also not be allowed to apply for your benefits ever again. Why give up the opportunity of getting what you deserve? It is certainly not a good idea to ignore the reapplication process.
Medical evidence can be discovered after your initial application and denial which would give you a better chance of being approved the second time around
While you are appealing your Social Security Disability benefits, you may find new medical evidence to support your need for those benefits and bring in more medical evidence to support your claims. Lastly, you may have new records or findings from your doctors or additional testing that can be used to support your case in front of a judge. If this new medical evidence shows, for instance, a critical disease then your claims may get expedited so that you can get your benefits faster.
The Process
You only have 60 days to start the appeal process for Social Security Disability benefits. This means you should not wait after receiving a denial from the Social Security Administration. You need to begin right away so you do not risk the chance of losing your ability to reapply for your benefits.
What is the next step after being denied?
Your best next step is to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Typically, you will be able to get in front of the Administrative Law Judge in nine to 14 months. You should use this time wisely to build a solid case for your hearing. If the Administrative Law Judge denies your claim, you will want to move on to the Appeals Council. They will determine whether or not the Administrative Law Judge made the right decision. There are times when claims end up in the federal court. Though this isn’t very common, your lawyer will help you decide whether or not you should try to appeal in federal court.
Because this can take a lot of time, you may need to find ways to support your family during the next few months. Many people work part-time, if they can, to help support their family. If you work part-time, you can still get benefits.
Here is how to make this process easier
You shouldn’t go through this process alone. If you are considering appealing the decision, you need to have a lawyer on your side. He or she will be able to help you through the process, plus an attorney can help you understand what you did wrong the first time so your application will not receive another denial.
If you have been denied benefits, then today is the day to call The Keener Law Firm. Their team of experts can discuss your options during your FREE 30-minute consultation to better understand your claim. Visit KeenerLaw.com or call 770-955-3000 to begin the process of getting the benefits you deserve!