Social Security disability insurance, often known as SSDI, is a federal program. The program gives financial benefits to those individuals who qualify for the program and cannot work full-time owing to a disability or medical condition. You are only eligible for the SSDI program if you have paid into it and have a credible work history. In other words, navigating through the claims process can be challenging, mainly because there are both technical and medical requirements. You need to consider consulting an Arkansas social security disability attorney to know what the process is all about. Here’s an overview for your guidance.
The basics
As an applicant, you are required to submit your SSDI claim papers with all necessary medical evidence. You must provide information that you are out of work because of a disability/medical condition, have paid into the program, and are not earning a significant income through “substantial gainful activity.” These are technical aspects that can be hard to understand, even when you paid for the program as you worked through the years. The truth is a considerable number of SSDI claims are denied the first time, and only around 30% of all claims are approved initially.
Appealing against a denial
If your SSDI claim was denied the first time, that is not the end of the road. More SSDI claims are approved on appeal. You have 60 days to appeal against the Social Security disability denial, which means you are literally racing against time. You are asking for a reconsideration and must submit supplemental evidence, which the SSA will look into for deciding the further course of action. If your appeal is not accepted even at the reconsideration stage, you can choose to place an appeal to the administrative law judge (ALJ) or an appeals council.
Why do you need a lawyer?
When you meet an attorney for your SSDI claim, they will do an in-depth assessment and ensure that all questions related to the legal process are answered. They will also explain your rights and various legal options, and once they take the case, they will gather evidence, including medical care-related documents and financial records. They will also discuss the strategy so that you know the best way to get the maximum available disability benefits.
Most lawyers will be happy to do a comprehensive review of your claim for free, and you can always discuss the costs related to their work in person.
