What to do if You Get Turned Down for Social Security Disability?
During the time that you are working, every time you receive a paycheck, a portion gets taken out to pay for Social Security benefits. If you become injured or unable to work due to a long-term or permanent disability, you may file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) payments. There are millions of US citizens who apply for SSDI every year who have paid into the Social Security system and expect to receive their benefits quickly. However, it does not always work that way.
Only 30 percent of applicants are approved at the initial level with the SSA. Do not give up hope if you are in the 70 percent of applicants who are denied. If your claim is denied, you need to appeal your claim to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. It may seem quicker to just refile, however, you are likely to end up in the same position over and over again, with your claim being denied at the initial level. It is best to appeal your first denial, so you can go ahead and begin the process.
Statistics show that hiring a Social Security Disability attorney increases your chances of receiving a favorable decision during the appeals process. You will never have to pay upfront costs to hire a disability lawyer; they take your case on a contingency basis. This means that they are paid out of your back payments once you are approved for disability.
Nearly two-thirds of applicants are awarded benefits after their disability hearing. This is good news if you are one of the 70 percent of applicants who are denied at the initial level. But please remember, you only have 60 days to appeal the SSA decision to deny your benefits.
For more information on Social Security disability benefits, contact an experienced attorney at Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. today at 251-343-1111 for a free case evaluation. Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. represents Social Security disability claimants in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana at all levels of the disability process from initial application to appeals to Federal Court. Gardberg & Kemmerly, P.C. has been helping Social Security claimants with their disability claims for over 50 years.