SSDRC




What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI?

How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability or SSI?

If I am determined disabled, how far back will Social Security pay benefits?

How do you prove your disability case if you have a mental condition?

What Can I Do to Improve My Chances of Winning Disability Benefits

Common Mistakes after Receiving a Denial of Social Security Disability or SSI Benefits

How to File for Disability - Tips for Filing

If You Get Approved For SSDI Will You Also Get Medicare?

How much does a Social Security disability attorney get paid?

Social Security Disability SSI Criteria and the Evaluation Process

How long does it take to be approved for SSI or Social Security disability?

What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability SSI and Fibromyalgia

Social Security Disability SSI and Degenerative Disc Disease

Can I Qualify For Disability and Receive Benefits based on Depression?

Answers to questions about SSD and SSI disability

What Disabilities Qualify for SSI and Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Status

Social Security Disability Tips — how a claim gets worked on

Social Security Disability, SSI Disability - Terms, Definitions, Concepts


Can a Lawyer Speed Up My Disability Case?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
Generally, a lawyer or a non-attorney representative helps to keep your disability case on track. And that in itself could speed up the time it takes to process your disability claim.

It is the responsibility of disability lawyers and representatives to file appeal paperwork in a timely manner, either via the online appeal process or on paper. They also generally strive to make sure that you are aware of any upcoming consultative examinations, and just take care of your disability case in general.

Once your disability case is at the state disability agency (disabilility determination services, or DDS) the only thing your lawyer can do is check the status of your disability claim and make sure any information that is needed is provided for the disability examiner (so that your disability case can be processed as quickly as possible).

If your reconsideration appeal is denied, your lawyer may be able to speed up your disability case at the disability hearings appeal level (the disability hearing is the appeal step that follows the request for reconsideration appeal level). Your lawyer can write a "dire need letter" with your help explaining that you are in dire need--meaning that you are about to loose your place to live, your power, or other hardships--and stating that you need to have a hearing as soon as possible.

Of course, this does not guarantee that you will win your disability hearing; it only means you may be able to have the hearing sooner. Then there is the fact that most individuals, these days, are in dire need by the time they get to a hearing if they have not been able to work. The hearings offices receive quite a few dire need requests.

It is just impossible to say if your lawyer can speed up the process in any way. However, they can make sure you file all your appeals timely and that may save time for your wait for disability benefits in general. If you miss an appeal deadline and file your appeal late, you could have to start your disability claim all over.

Sometimes, lawyers will request that the administrative law judge look at your disability file to see if they can make a favorable decision with the records in the file rather than having to wait for a hearing. If the judge can make a favorable decision then that could speed up the time it takes for you to receive benefits. In the end, your lawyer could be very helpful to you in winning disability benefits.














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Individual Questions and Answers


  • Social Security Disability, SSI, and Whether or Not a Person can Still Work

  • Is multiple sclerosis considered a disability by Social Security?

  • Social Security Denial - Can You Avoid Being Denied For Disability By Social Security?

  • Applying for disability benefits in California

  • Social Security Disability--Permanent Disability

  • How important is reporting income for those who currently receive disability benefits ?

  • How long does it take to be approved for SSI disability ?

  • How Often Does Social Security Disability Review Cases?

  • Why is the Social Security Disability Decision Process So Slow

  • What if I go to a Social Security hearing without an Attorney or a Disability Representative?

  • Are SSD and SSI disability cases decided differently or in the same way?

  • If I Am Determined Disabled, How Far Back Will Social Security Pay Benefits?

  • Does social security care if you are working when you are applying for disability?

  • Do people need Lawyers for Disability Claims?

  • Lawyer for Social Security Disability--will I need one

  • Social Security Disability Requirements

  • Still Waiting For My Social Security Disability Decision?

  • The Difference Between Social Security Disability (SSD) and SSI – How are they different Part II

  • The Social Security Disability Decision and Your Ability to Work

  • What are the Application Requirements For SSI Disability?

  • The Social Security Denial Letter

  • Do I Need a Lawyer for My Social Security Disability Hearing?

  • How do I file for Social Security disability or SSI ?

  • How long does a social security disability hearing last?

  • Are Social Security Disability Requirements Tougher For Mental Claims?

  • How Likely are You to Win Your Disability Case?

  • How to apply for social security disability benefits for children

  • Social Security Disability Children Benefits

  • If I File For Disability And Want An Attorney To Represent Me, Does Social Security Cover My Legal Fees?

  • Check Amount on Social Security Disability Award Letter

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Florida

  • What is The Difference Between The Social Security Disability Application And The Disability Report Form?

  • What is the Social Security definition of disability ?

  • Will Social Security Disability Pay for X-rays or an MRI?

  • Medical Source Statement for Social Security Disability or SSI

  • Being Determined Medically Disabled for Social Security Disability

  • Appealing a Social Security Disability Denial – How Often Is This Successful?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Colorado

  • What is a Social Security Disability SSI Durational Denial?
























    SSD and SSI are Federal Programs

    The title II Social Security Disability and title 16 SSI Disability programs operate under federal guidelines and, therefore, the program requirements--medical and non-medical--apply to all states:

    Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

    Recent approval and denial statistics for various states can be viewed here:

    Social Security Disability, SSI Approval and Denial Statistics by state

    Special Section: Disability Lawyers and unnecessary claim denials