You should file for Social Security disability benefits as soon as you find out that you will be unable to work for at least the next 12 months or that your condition is terminal. In order to qualify for benefits, you must be disabled and unable to work. See a sample list of disabling conditions
Initial Disability Application
The initial application can be done in person at your local Social Security office or over the telephone. It is a good idea to make an appointment to avoid a long wait. You can also apply online The application process can be quite challenging for someone who is not familiar with the system. Over 80% of initial applications are denied. A lawyer can improve your chances by providing Social Security with all pertinent information regarding your disability and by presenting your case in the most favorable light.
Your application will be reviewed and will probably be denied. You will receive a denial letter which will tell you that you have 60 days to file a Request for Reconsideration.
Request for Reconsideration
After you file the Request for Reconsideration, along with a lengthy questionnaire and any new medical information, Social Security will again review your file and most likely again deny your disability claim. You will have 60 days to file a Request for Hearing.
Administrative Hearing
After you file a Request for Hearing, you won’t hear much from Social Security for quite a while. A year or so later, Social Security will schedule a hearing and you will have a chance to explain to the judge why you are so disabled that you are unable to work.
The hearing itself will be held at the nearest Social Security office. The judge may be present in person or on video. The judge’s assistant will record the entire hearing. A doctor and a vocational expert may also testify. On the other hand, if your child is the one with a disability, you may also have to find answers to questions like “is the home care and family support grant real?”.
Your chances of winning your disability claim are greatly increased if you have a lawyer to represent you. We represent claimants at all stages of the claims process and will give your disability claim the attention it needs.
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The hardest part of the disability claims process is being patient.