Getting the disability benefits that you need is much simpler when you talk to us at Osterhout Berger Disability Law. We have a combined track record of over 50 years between all of our attorneys, and we’ve helped thousands of claimants get the SSA disability benefits that they need, including plenty of people in Fayette.
Applying for SSA Disability Benefits
When you’re looking for a way to start the application process, you should be aware of all of your options and the upsides and downsides to each one. Applying online at home is a convenient way to start because you don’t have to leave your home to start the process. Unfortunately, this method isn’t usually the best because you don’t have anyone to rely on if you have a question. Another option is to go to the Social Security Administration office in the Fayette area. Some people like this option because you can ask questions of the office workers throughout the process. The downside to this option is that the office workers might not know the application process as well and you might imagine, and they’re not invested in seeing you win your claim. The best option is to come to us at Osterhout Berger Disability Law. We have experienced attorneys who are interested in helping you get the best possible outcome on your claim.
You need to provide a lot of information when you make a disability claim with the SSA. For instance, you’ll need to give a full list of all of the doctors that you’ve seen and the medical facilities that you’ve been to for your condition. Additionally, you need to give a full description of your symptoms and how they affect your ability to live a regular life and go to work.
There are some people who will never be called upon to go to a consultative exam, but you should be aware that there are some people who will need to attend one so that you’re ready if you’re called upon to do so. A consultative exam is an appointment with a doctor that the SSA chooses. This exam is used to learn more about your condition and to better understand how it impacts your life. If you’re asked to attend, you must do so to continue to be considered for disability insurance through the SSA. This doctor’s appointment might consist of another test, or you might just have to talk to the doctor about your condition.
Appealing a Denial
Even when everything is submitted and the claim is strong, it’s still possible for you to be denied disability benefits. Thankfully, you can still make an appeal, which needs to be submitted within 65 days after the claim is denied.
When you make an appeal, there are two different places that your appeal might go to, but the first appeal goes to the Appeals Council. This council is the only appeal level within the SSA. When you make an appeal, it’s important to understand how this is different than making a claim. When you make a claim, you’re trying to fully lay out the evidence for having a condition and for how it impacts your ability to live a normal life and go to work. But when you make an appeal, you’re trying to show that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) made a mistake when they denied your claim. The difference seems subtle to many people, but there’s actually a big difference. When you make an appeal, you usually won’t be submitting any new evidence about your condition. Instead, you might be showing that the ALJ failed to apply a recent court ruling at the federal district court level that pertains to your case.
One of the only times that you might have to give more evidence on your condition during an appeal is if your claim was denied and there was a change to the Blue Book about your condition. Usually, this will happen between the time that you submitted your claim’s evidence and the time of your hearing. If the evidence changes the outcome of your claim, you could win the appeal.
The other level of appeal is the federal district court level. Not everyone is given permission to appeal at this level, and it can be very difficult to win an appeal at this level. But if you are given the opportunity to present your case, you can be certain that your case will be given serious consideration.
What We Do To Win Your Claim
When it’s time to start the claim process, talking to us is the best thing that you can do because we’ll help you every step of the way. Firstly, we’ll start the process with you by explaining everything that you can expect throughout the process. We can also answer any question that pops up along the way. And when you want to know more about your specific case, know that we’ll continually update you on the status through communication like postal mail, text messages, phone calls, and email.
We’ll also help you build your claim by putting together the right evidence. For instance, you’ll need to have your medical records sent to the judge for review, and we’ll help you determine what kinds of paperwork you need to fill out and who you need to send them to so that your records are released in time. Additionally, we’ll ensure that all of your evidence and paperwork is submitted to the judge in plenty of time.
We understand that the day of the hearing makes a lot of people nervous. We’ll help calm your nerves and optimize the possibility of a positive outcome by asking you the questions that the judge is likely to ask you ahead of time. We’ll also help you prepare the responses to each question so that you can answer confidently.
If you’re ever worried that you won’t understand legal terminology, know that you’re not alone, and we’ll do that part for you when we represent you on the day of your hearing.
Finally, you’ll appreciate that we’ll start the appeal process if you’re denied, and we’ll do it as soon as we determine whether or not it’s the best option in your situation.
What We Need You To Do
When you make a claim and choose to work with Osterhout Berger Disability Law, we do everything possible to make your claim process go as smoothly as possible with as little work from you as possible. But there are some things that only you can do. For instance, some types of paperwork are only legally valid if you fill them out. The release of your medical records is one of those instances where we need you to fill out paperwork in a timely manner, so you need to return phone calls and other forms of communication that we send within a day or two.
We also need you to continue doing your treatments, taking your medication, doing therapy, and going to medical appointments. We can remind you about appointments, but you need to make the effort to attend them and do your treatments. When you don’t do something that one of your doctors has prescribed or fail to go to doctor appointments, you send the impression that your condition isn’t as bad as what you say. You might also make the judge wonder if your condition would improve if you did everything that your doctor told you to do.
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.
