Articles

DENIALS FOR SSI & SSDI

By: Dalen D. McVay, Attorney

A large portion of my Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income clients don’t contact me until after they have received a denial for benefits from the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, a very high percentage of applicants are denied initially, and then denied again during the administrative appeals process. Disability cases get denied at all levels of the administrative process, and the majority of individuals believe they have no recourse.

Nationwide statistics are quite astonishing, as slightly more than seven out of ten cases are denied at the initial application stage. The statistics are even higher for denials of reconsiderations or review appeals. Denials tend to vary from state to state as well as iin regard to children versus adult applicants. Statistically, individuals who have representation of an attorney for their Social Security Disability or SSI claim win more often than those who are not represented.

I have often found the approval finally comes at the final stage of the administrative process - the hearing in front of an administrative law judge. At this point, someone within the agency gets to see a live being and hear testimony concerning their condition, rather than seeing medical notes and letters from doctors. I strongly suggest hiring a lawyer to help prepare you for the hearing, introduce medical records and examine you on the record at the administrative hearing. A competent SSDI/SSI lawyer will:

• Provide you with a thorough evaluation of your Social Security Disability or SSI claim
• Find out from Social Security the benefit amount you can expect to collect
• Act as your liaison with the Social Security Administration
• Help you complete and process all paperwork and applications for your disability claim
• Investigate all medical documentation and obtain additional reports for your Disability or SSI Disability Claim
• Prepare you for any Social Security required hearings
• Make sure you receive all the Social Security Disability and/or SSI Disability benefits you are entitled to