When you’re going to apply for Social Security disability benefits, you need to work with a law firm that has experience in getting people the benefits that they need. Osterhout Berger Daley is a firm that has over 50 years of experience, and we know how to put together a claim and appeal, if necessary, that will optimize the likelihood that you’ll receive a favorable outcome on your disability claim.
Applying for SSD Benefits
When it’s time to apply for benefits, there are a few options that you have to get started. Firstly, you could choose to go to the Social Security Administration office in your area to start the paperwork in person. You could also start filling out the paperwork online by going to the Social Security Administration website. Finally, you could also choose to go to Osterhout Berger Daley to start the process. While you don’t technically need to have professional help from an attorney to successfully complete the process and get a favorable outcome, you’ll be much more likely to fully complete the requirements properly, which will leave you poised to get a better outcome from the judge when it’s time for them to make a decision on your claim.
One of the first steps that you’ll need to do when you begin the paperwork is to come up with all of the documentation for your condition, including the symptoms of your condition and how they affect your daily life. The SSA will also want copies of the tests that confirm your condition and documentation of any treatments that they have already prescribed to you. Additionally, the SSA will also need a list of all of the doctors that you’ve seen for your condition, including your regular doctors. The SSA will also need a list of hospitals where you’ve been treated whether for a regular doctor’s appointment or an emergency visit to a hospital because of a complication to your condition. You’ll need to sign release forms for all of this information so that the hospitals and clinics are legally allowed to release this information to the SSA. Finally, you might be asked to complete forms that tell more about how your condition and its symptoms affect your daily life.
While many claims will not require this final step, there are some people who will also need to undergo something called a consultative exam, which is an exam by a doctor chosen by the SSA. This will be used to better gain an understanding of your condition and how it affects you on a daily basis.
Appealing a Denial
Even with a strong claim, there are times when they’re denied, so you might need to appeal the denial. This process is often confusing because it can be complex and take quite a bit of time to complete. Once your original claim is denied, you have 65 days to file an appeal.
The biggest reason that you might file an appeal is that you believe that there was an administrative law judge error. For instance, if there was a circumstance in which the federal court ruled in a way that would be in favor of your claim that the judge missed, this would be a case when the ALJ might have made a mistake. When you make an appeal, your case will go before the Appeals Council, which is part of the SSA system.
When you’re going through the appeals process, it’s important to understand that you’re not trying to show that you have a certain condition that affects your ability to work. Instead, you’re trying to show that the ALJ made a mistake in your case by denying the claim. This sounds like a subtle difference, but it actually affects the information that you’re allowed to present. For instance, you won’t be able to provide new information about how your condition has worsened, but you might be able to provide information that wasn’t available when you originally submitted your claim.
Finally, there are some claims that are still denied during this appeals process. If this happens, you might still be able to appeal at the federal court level. To appeal at this level, you’ll need to complete a new appeal form within 65 days of being denied at the Appeals Council level.
What We Do To Win Your Case
At Osterhout Berger Daley, there are several services that we provide to keep your claim or appeal on track to optimize the likelihood that you’ll receive a favorable outcome. For instance, we regularly communicate with you about the status of your claim or appeal. We’ll communicate via email, text, phone call, and letter so that you have the types of communication that you need to be up to date on what is going on with your case. Additionally, we’ll take the time to thoroughly explain the process of making a claim or appealing a denial so that you understand what to expect from the beginning.
We’ll also work with you to build the medical evidence for your claim. We can help remind you to continue with your medical treatments and obtain any new medical evidence along the way. Obtaining all of the necessary medical evidence in a timely fashion is also of the utmost importance, and we can help you with the process so that the ALJ has all of the documentation before the time of the hearing.
Going before the ALJ can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before, so we make the process easier by fully preparing you for it and making sure that you know the types of questions you’re going to have to answer. We’ll also represent you on the day of your hearing and take care of all of the technical matters. Finally, we’ll also start the paperwork for the appeals process if your claim is denied.
What You’ll Need To Do
To ensure that the entire process goes smoothly, there are a few things that you’ll need to do. For instance, you’ll need to be available to answer questions and fill out paperwork when necessary. There are some things that only you can legally do, such as filling out forms for the release of your medical records. Answering our phone calls and texts promptly will also help the process go much more smoothly and ensure that we have all of the paperwork sent into the SSA in time for the hearing.
It’s also imperative that you comply with your medical treatments. When you fail to go to doctor’s appointments or follow prescribed treatments, it sends the message that your condition isn’t very severe. It will also make the judge question whether or not all medical treatments that could improve your condition have been exhausted. This is why you should always go to all medical appointments and do any therapy treatments, take medications, and do other medical treatments as prescribed by your doctor.
How We Can Help
There are several ways in which the team at Osterhout Berger Daley can help you receive the benefit you deserve. We help individuals who need to…
- Apply for Social Security Benefits and want to ensure everything is done right the first time
- Appeal a denial of Social Security Disability Benefits
If you are facing one of these situations, please do not hesitate in reaching out. Our team of experienced attorneys are here to help, and your consultation is free.
