The Social Security Disability program is designed to offer benefits and financial assistance to those who cannot work because of a mental illness or physical disability. Whether you want to apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) or have a denied claim in Rockford, it makes sense to work with an attorney. The biggest reason is the comprehensive paperwork, which can be confusing and time-consuming. With expert Rockford social security disability lawyers, you always have a better chance of dealing with the process.
Understanding Social Security Disability
The Social Security Disability is a program run by the US government, which is available for those who cannot work because of a medical injury, illness, or mental health condition. It is also available to others belonging to certain economic strata. You can apply for SSD benefits online or via mail or call. However, the requirements are almost the same, and your application needs to be perfect. You must also have all your tax records and financial statements. Additional things to include are your address, social security number, medical records, and details of your work. Errors in the application could lead to your claim getting denied.
What if a Social Security Disability claim is denied?
Only a little over Social Security disability applications are approved each year. If your claim has been denied, you have the option to file an appeal. Immediately after you are notified of the denial, you have 60 days to request a review of the application for reconsideration. If the reconsideration is denied, you can file for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), for which you need to visit an office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). If you believe that the judgment of the ALJ is flawed, you have the third option of requesting a review by the Appeals Council. The final option is to take a chance at filing a claim in federal court.
Should you hire an attorney?
Your lawyer will start by evaluating whether you qualify for SSD benefits. They have probably handled hundreds of such cases and have years of experience to offer the assistance you need. Even if your claim is initially denied, you have the choice of working with an attorney and filing an appeal. An experienced attorney can hold governmental agencies responsible if your claim was denied as a disabled citizen of the US.
Most lawyers taking Social Security Disability claims in Rockford will work on contingency.
