If you are claiming social security benefits, you may want to consider contacting us at Osterhout Berger Disability law. We are a law firm made up of social security disability lawyers that genuinely care about protecting our Parker, PA clients’ rights. We’re knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who can help claimants get everything they’re entitled to. We can help with SSDI and SSI claims, too.
Applying for SSD Benefits
While claiming social security benefits, we can offer you step-by-step support to maximize your chances of success. Our experienced attorneys can provide you with everything you need to increase your chances of success. To begin your claim process, you have three options. First, you can fill out the paperwork at your local social security office. Secondly, you can file your claim online. Alternatively, you can go to an Osterhout Berger Disability law office and have one of our qualified social security disability attorneys at your disposal.
Once you’ve decided how you’ll be applying, you should begin organizing the paperwork that documents your condition. For example, the SSA (social security administration) will want copies of tests that confirm your condition and documentation of any treatments that you’ve undergone (or are undergoing).
Additionally, the SSA will need a list of all the doctors you’ve seen for your condition and your regular doctors. The SSA will also require a list of hospitals where you’ve been treated, irrespective of whether that was a routine doctor’s appointment or an emergency visit caused by complications related to your condition. You’ll need to sign release forms so that the hospitals and clinics you’ve attended can legally release information to the SSA. Finally, you may be asked to provide further information about your condition and its symptoms.
An additional step that isn’t always required is a consultative exam, an exam by a doctor nominated by the SSA. This will be used to understand better your condition and how it affects your daily life and your ability to work. While you’re not obligated to hire legal help, it would be wise to work with one of our experienced attorneys; we have years of experience helping people just like you.
Appealing a Denial
Even if you have professional help and make your best attempt, you may still have your claim denied. Over 60% of SSA claims are denied in the first instance.
First, you’d go to the Appeals Council. The council is the only one associated with the SSA; if the Appeals Council denies your claim, you’ll be allowed to take your claim to the federal court. It’s important to note that making a claim and appealing are two very different processes.
While you make a claim based on your condition and how it affects your ability to do your job, the appeal process isn’t directly about your condition. Instead, the appeal process is about showing that there was a mistake made by the administrative law judge when they were reviewing your claim. While this seems like a simple difference, it affects the way that the appeals process proceeds. You most likely won’t talk about your condition during the Appeals Council process. One of the only times they might allow you to talk about your condition is if there’s new information about it that wasn’t available when the administrative law judge last looked at your case.
When you’re in the appeals process, it’s important to remember that there are specific timelines that you must adhere to in order to continue with the process. Mainly, you have 65 days from the point of when your claim was denied to appeal. You should also be aware that appeals from the Appeals Council can take several months to a few years, and many still result in an unfavorable outcome.
Additionally, if you’re unsuccessful at the Appeals Council, you can take your appeal to the Federal Court. For this, you’ll also have 65 days to appeal the denial. While undergoing a Federal Court appeal can be disheartening, these appeals are treated seriously.
At Osterhout Berger Disability Law, we’re passionately committed to helping our clients secure the social security benefits they’re entitled to, no matter the stage you come to us at.
What We’ll Do To Win Your Case
At Osterhout Berger Law Firm, we extensively focus on providing legal representation for clients who are seeking disability benefits. This is how we give such detailed and thorough representation to our clients. We have a wealth of experience that has helped us build inside knowledge, and we’ve seen all of the potential outcomes of social security disability claims. We have a history of assisting approximately 30,000 clients with their long-term disability claims through the years.
We’re committed to ensuring a favorable outcome for all of our clients; we’ll ensure that you’re kept informed throughout the process because we know it can be a struggle to understand every part of the process. It can be very overwhelming for you. We’ll communicate conveniently for you; we can contact you by phone, email, text, or mail to send information and documents to you.
Throughout the many steps in the process, you may feel confused and nervous. We do this all of the time, and we know the process intimately; however, it’s different if this is new for you. We know the best ways to simplify the process in a way that makes sense to you.
We can help you gather all of your evidence and work with you to remind you of your medical treatment plan, and we’ll also check in for medical updates to ensure we have current and accurate information.
When building a case based on medical evidence, you must hand all crucial evidence to the judge before the hearing. We’ll work with you to ensure the necessary documents are submitted to the judge with plenty of time to spare.
If you’re nervous about the hearing, know that we deal with these cases all of the time and can guide you through the process. We can guide you through the process and any questions you’re likely to be asked, so that you have time to prepare your answers and gain confidence before the hearing. This reduces the risk of harming your case because you were flustered by a question you hadn’t thought of in advance.
Most crucially, we’ll represent you on the day of the hearing so you can be confident that you won’t lose your claim because you didn’t understand legal jargon. We’ll also support filing an appeal for you right away if your original claim is unsuccessful.
What You’ll Need To Do
When you work with us, there are some things we need you to do to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Firstly, you should always remain contactable and keep your contact information up to date to allow us to get in touch with any queries, updates, or other necessary questions.
It’s advisable to comply with the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. You should also take all of your prescribed medications, attend your appointments, take any tests offered to you, and do any therapy that you’ve been told you need. When you don’t do this, you’re sending a message that your condition isn’t as serious as it appears.
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.
