If you are among the many millions of applicants for Social Security disability benefits that are denied, don’t despair and don’t give up. There are plenty of reasons why your application failed to get approval; perhaps your income is above the threshold or maybe your disability is not expected to keep you from the work force for at least a year. Regardless of what reason you were given; many applicants find that when they hire Social Security disability attorneys in Missouri they are approved on appeal.
There are a number of levels of appeal; it is during this process where your lawyer will prove to be invaluable. Winning an appeal is not easy; however, the chances of a successful appeal are far better when you are represented.
The levels of appeal:
* Review and reconsideration: When your initial application is denied you have sixty days in which you can simply ask the Administration to reconsider their initial decision. The review is made by a different person than the one who made the original determination. Rarely is the decision to deny overturned at this stage, perhaps as few as five percent of appeals for reconsideration are granted.
* Hearing: If you wish to continue with the appeal you once again are given another sixty days to request a hearing in the presence of an Administrative Law Judge. Don’t expect an immediate decision; the waiting list is long and getting longer every year. The good news is, about two thirds of the cases heard by the Administrative Law Judge are overturned and benefits are granted.
The hearing is the only time when you will come face to face with Social Security personnel. Your Social Security disability attorneys in Missouri will prepare you in advance and accompany you to the hearing.
If, after the hearing, your application is still denied; you can ask for a review by the Appeals Council. This council will only agree to further action if they find a flaw in the decision handed down by the judge. If you have exhausted these levels of appeal you can file suit in a U.S. District Court, a costly and time consuming process.
Don’t be overly concerned if your initial application for disability benefits is denied. You will improve your chances during the appeal by hiring Social Security disability attorneys in Missouri. You are invited to contact the Grundy Disability Group. Follow us on our facebook page.
