It’s easy to understand why going to Osterhout Berger Disability Law is one of the best ways to get the SSA disability benefits that you need. We have attorneys with a combined experience of over 50 years, and we’ve helped thousands of people, including plenty of people in Elk, attain the disability benefits that they need through the Social Security Administration.
Applying For SSA Benefits
If you recently learned that you will no longer be able to go to work but there are disability benefits that might be available to you through the SSA, you might wonder what’s the best and easiest way to fill out the application. You can simply fill it out online by going to the SSA website. Some people like this option because it lets them do it from the comfort of their own homes. Unfortunately, you don’t have the advantage of talking to anyone in person about how to do the paperwork correctly when you fill out the paperwork at home. Another option is to go to the SSA office in the Elk area. This is a good option because it’s still convenient, and you’ll have access to office workers who could answer some of your questions about the process. Unfortunately, the major drawback of this option is that you won’t be able to talk to anyone who is invested in seeing your claim be successful. That’s why coming to us at Osterhout Berger Disability Law is the best option. We have plenty of experienced attorneys who want to see you get a good result on your claim.
When you come to us, there are a few things that you’ll need to do throughout the process of making a claim, including providing plenty of evidence about your condition. For instance, you’ll need to provide a complete list of all of the doctors and medical facilities that you’ve seen about your illness or injury. Additionally, you’ll have to talk about how your condition affects your everyday life and ability to do any work.
There are also some people who will be called upon for a consultative exam. This exam is done by a doctor of the SSA’s choosing, and you must attend this exam in order to continue to be considered for disability benefits with the SSA. This doctor’s appointment is used to get more information about your condition and how it affects your daily life and your ability to go to work and do your job. Additionally, it could involve another test, but it could also mean that you simply need to answer some questions with a doctor.
Appealing a Denial
There are times when even claims that were laid out well are denied, and you might have to make an appeal. In fact, most claims are denied the first time, so it’s worthwhile to understand the full process of making an appeal even if you’re not yet at this step. One of the first things that you should know about appealing a denial is that you need to do this within 65 days of having your initial claim denied.
When you start the appeals process, the first place your appeal will go is the Appeals Council, which is the only level of appeal within the Social Security Administration. Making an appeal means that you’re trying to show that there was a mistake made by the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) when they made a decision on your claim. This point often confuses people because they think that they should bring more evidence to show that they have a condition and that they can’t work because of it. In reality, you probably won’t bring forth new evidence about your case. Instead, you might win the appeal if the ALJ failed to apply a recent ruling made at the federal district court level that also would affect your case. The only time that you might bring forth new information about your case is if there was a recent change to the Blue Book that pertains to your condition. For instance, the applicable criteria of symptoms can change, and if there was a change to the Blue Book listing since you originally submitted your claim’s evidence, you might not have submitted all of the up-to-date medical evidence.
If you’re unsuccessful with your first appeal, you might be able to appeal again at the federal district court level. It’s not common to win an appeal at this level, but if you are allowed to appeal, you can be certain that your claim will be taken seriously.
What We’ll Do To Win Your Case
When we take on a case at Osterhout Berger Disability Law, we work with you to get the best possible outcome, and there are a few things that you can expect from us. For instance, we’ll ensure that we explain to you the entire process from the beginning so that you never feel unsure about what happens next. We’ll also answer any questions that you think of along the way. Furthermore, we know that understanding what’s going on with your specific case is at the forefront of your mind. We’ll thoroughly communicate with you every step of the way through various forms of communication, including text, email, phone call, and postal mail.
We’ll also help you put together your evidence for your case. You need to have a complete record of your medical history pertaining to your condition, and we can help by telling you what paperwork you need to fill out and by helping you submit it to the right people. We’ll also make sure that all of your evidence is submitted to the judge on time so that it will be considered with your claim.
Many of our clients are concerned about how the hearing will go. In fact, many people have never had to appear before a judge, so they don’t know what will be involved in the process. We take the jitters out of going to the hearing by fully preparing you for the questions that the judge is likely to ask, and we’ll help you come up with responses that will put your case in a positive light.
We’ll also represent you on the day of your hearing. If you’re nervous that you won’t understand some of the terms or the process, don’t worry because that’s why we’re here. We do the work of representing you on the day of your hearing so that you never have to worry about losing out on your disability benefits because you didn’t understand something that the judge was saying or didn’t have the right words to respond back with.
What We Need You To Do
We do everything possible to make the process simple, but there are times when it’s not possible for us to do something without your help. For instance, we need you to fill out paperwork for the release of your medical records. Legally, you’re the only person who is able to do this, and if you wait too long, the records won’t get to the judge in time. That’s why we need you to return our phone calls and other forms of communication in a timely manner.
It’s also important that you continue to go to all of your medical appointments and continue your treatment plan, including taking any medication, doing therapy, or anything else that your doctor has prescribed. When you don’t go to medical appointments or do treatment, it sends the message that your condition isn’t as bad as you say. Plus, many judges will reasonably conclude that your condition might improve if you did all of the treatments as your doctor has suggested.
How We Can Help
There are several ways in which the team at Osterhout Berger Disability Law 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.
