Anyone in Jeannette, PA with a disability should know that they might be eligible to receive disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. If you’re ready to learn more about how Osterhout Berger Disability Law can help you get the benefits that you need, talk to us by calling. We have over 50 years of combined experience, and we would love to find out more about your case.
Applying for SSD Benefits
When it’s time to apply for Social Security disability benefits, there are three basic ways you can get started. The first and most convenient way is to apply online. The second option is to go to your local SSA office and begin the application process in person, which some people prefer to do if they like to have someone nearby to answer questions. The third option is to talk to us at Osterhout Berger Disability Law. While you’re not required to have legal representation when you apply for disability benefits, the advantage of this third option is that we have the experience to ensure that your disability claim is filled out correctly and completely and that everything is turned into the correct places on time. We will also provide a whole list of valuable services that will ensure that you have the best chance possible of receiving a favorable outcome.
When it’s time to file your paperwork, there are several pieces of information that you’ll have to provide. Firstly, you’ll need to show your diagnosis and the tests that back up the diagnosis. You’ll also need to give a full list of all of the doctors that you’ve been seeing as well as the hospitals or clinics where you saw them. This will include the doctors that you normally see as well as any doctors and facilities you went to for any emergencies you might have had. Additionally, you’ll need to tell about how your condition and the symptoms you experience affect your everyday life and ability to do work. The SSA also needs to know about any treatments that you’ve received for your condition, including but not limited to surgeries, medications, and therapy.
There are also some people who have to go through a consultative exam, which is an exam that’s given by a doctor that was appointed by the Social Security Administration. This doctor will do further testing to better understand the nature of your condition and how it affects your life and ability to work.
Appealing a Denial
There are times that even with the best representation and guidance that you won’t receive a favorable outcome on your disability claim. When this happens, you should consider appealing the denial. There are a few stages to this process, and you can appeal at more than one stage.
The first step is to start the appeals process within 65 days of receiving a denial for your claim. Appealing a denial for a claim can be a confusing and long process, and working with an experienced attorney from Osterhout Berger Disability Law can make everything go so much more smoothly.
The first stage of appealing a denial is with the Appeals Council. At this stage of the appeals process, the objective is to show that the administrative law judge made a mistake when ruling on your claims case. It’s important to understand what this means because a lot of people think that the purpose of the appeals process is to provide more complete and persuasive information that shows that they have a particular condition that makes it impossible for them to work. The only time that you might be allowed to show more information during the appeals process is if you have information that is material to your case that wasn’t available at the time that you originally made the claim. More often, the objective of the appeals process is to show the way that the AJL missed something that recently happened at the federal district court level that also applies to your case.
If you don’t receive a favorable outcome at the Appeals Council, the next step is to appeal before the federal district court. While it’s still difficult to receive a favorable outcome, you should be aware that this court level takes these cases very seriously. You need to remember to file the appeal within 65 days of receiving the denial of your appeal at the Appeals Council.
What You Can Expect from Us
When you hire an attorney to represent you in your disability case, you want to find someone who is going to ensure that your case is handled properly and completely during every step of the process. We will keep you fully informed on the status of your case throughout the process so that you’re never caught unaware without any reasonable cause. We’ll take the time to explain the entire process to you so that it makes sense from start to finish.
We also help our clients build their cases. Having strong medical evidence is key to winning your case, and we can help you with the entire process. We’ll even remind you to take your medications, go to appointments, and more. Having a strong case is so important that we take our role on this issue very seriously.
You need to be prepared for the hearing, too. It can be difficult to know what the judge will ask you, but we’ll go through all of the questions that you’re likely to be required to answer, and we’ll help you find true answers that are beneficial to your case.
Getting the representation that you need is also a top priority because there might be legal terminology that you’re unfamiliar with when you go to the hearing. We’ll make sure that you’re comfortable throughout the process by interpreting the processes and terminology so that you know that you didn’t miss out on your benefits simply because you didn’t understand a process or word enough to respond appropriately.
Finally, we’ll start the appeals process for you as soon as we learn that you would like to proceed. Getting the appeal started in a reasonable time frame is important for your case, and we can help you navigate the lengthy process.
What We Need from You
You should also know that there are some things that we need from you throughout the process. First of all, we’ll need you to be available because there are some things that only you can do. Plus, we want to be able to update you regularly. One thing that only you can do is fill out release forms so that hospitals are legally allowed to send off your medical information to the SSA. That’s why we need you to return emails, phone calls, and other forms of communication back to us as soon as possible.
We also need you to follow the treatment plan that’s been outlined for you by your doctor. This will include continuing to go to all doctor’s appointments and therapy, continuing to take all medications, and doing any other treatments that your doctors have said will be helpful for your condition. When patients choose not to continue with the treatment plan as prescribed, it gives the impression that their condition isn’t very serious, which can harm a claim. We will do all that we can to continually remind you to continue to do your treatments and go to appointments.
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.
