SSDRC




Filing an Application for Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability List of Impairments

Social Security Disability and SSI Back pay

Social Security Disability Status

SSI Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability and SSI Requirements

Social Security, SSI, and Mental Disability

How Long Does It Take To Get Disability Benefits?

Qualifying: What do you Need to Prove to Qualify for Disability?


Getting a Disability Lawyer in Colorado for a Social Security or SSI Claim


It’s tough to win disability benefits in Colorado. Less than a third (about 26%) of all claims for social security disability (SSD) and supplemental security income (SSI) filed in Colorado are approved by the state disability determination services agency in recent years, and even fewer appeals of disability denials were won—about 80% of all first appeals to the Colorado disability determination services agency (also called requests for review or reconsideration) were unsuccessful as well.

Having said that, if you have been denied disability benefits and your first appeal didn’t work out, you can appeal again. This second appeal, however, will not be decided by the state disability examiner, but will instead involve a hearing before a federal administrative law judge. Statistically this is the best chance to win SSD or SSI benefits in Colorado, especially if you are represented by a disability attorney.

Disability claimants are 50% more likely to prevail before a judge when they are represented by an attorney than when they represent themselves. Perhaps this points to a bias on the part of judges, in that they give more credence to a claim when it is presented by a professional legal representative. It is more likely, however, that a good disability lawyer can help to craft a stronger case than you would be able to put together on your own. In fact, given low rate of approval of SSD cases file in Colorado, you may want to consider consulting a disability attorney even earlier in your case, if not at the outset, then after your initial application has been turned down.

A disability lawyer may be able to help point out weaknesses in your initial claim, and direct you to either supply other useful documentation or to take additional tests needed to prove your disability. Other advantages to getting a disability lawyer at this point include the fact that, once the social security administration has been notified that an attorney is representing you, they will automatically forward all updates and notices pertaining to your case to your attorney. This is a useful safeguard, especially when it comes to filing a notice to appeal (the reconsideration appeal must be received within 60 days of your denial, and if you miss this deadline you have to start all over again, adding months to what is already a lengthy determination process).

One thing is for certain: If the Colorado disability determination services agency denies your initial claim, it is highly unlikely that you will win disability benefits from a reconsideration appeal, and at this point you should be planning to at least consult with a lawyer. In Colorado, getting a disability lawyer involved in your case can have a big impact on the outcome, and you should ensure that you are ready to present the strongest possible argument to win disability benefits in this hearing before a federal judge.















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  • Social Security Disability & SSI Resource Center

  • Social Security Disability, SSI Questions and Answers














    Questions and Answers about Social Security Disability and SSI Disability


  • Questions about Disability Lawyers and Hiring a Disability Attorney

  • What kind of Final Decision can I receive on my Disability Application?

  • What are the Chances of Being Approved for a Child who is Filing for Disability?

  • SSI for children

  • How do you get Disability Approved when you file with Social Security?

  • How to File for SSI

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

  • Steps for Filing A Disability Claim Under SSI or SSD

  • Can an adult who has been to college but hasn't worked for a long time get Disability Benefits?

  • The Difference Between Filing A New Disability Claim And Filing A Disability Appeal?

  • Social Security Disability Status

  • When You Apply For Disability Do You Need To write Down Everything That Is Wrong With You?

  • How much time does it take to get an SSI Decision?

  • The Social Security Disability Approval

  • When You are Filing a Social Security Disability Application, What Information is Needed by SSA?

  • How Disabled Does One Have To Be To Collect Disability?

  • How Will Social Security Look At My Case If I have More Than One Disabling Condition?

  • Is qualifying for SSI different than SSD ?

  • The Time Involved on a Social Security Disability Decision

  • Working while getting Disability - is it possible?

  • Why Will A Social Security Disability Application Get Denied? (SSDI Denial)

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • How Do I Apply For Disability- What Is The First Step?

  • What Determines Social Security Disability Income?

  • Is It Harder To Get Approved For SSI Disability Versus SSD?

  • Social Security Hearing- How do I Request one, how long will it take?

  • Filing an Application for Disability Benefits under SSD or SSI

  • Does Social Security Depend on Your Illness or the kind of Work that You Did?

  • Social Security Disability - What is protective filing ?

  • The Social Security Disability Approval Process and the Criteria for Decisions

  • Are Social Security Disability Claims Based On Back Pain Usually Turned Down?

  • For Disability, What Does It Mean When A person Can Only Do Sedentary Work?

  • PTSD, Social Security Disability, and Applying for Benefits

  • Do Most Social Security Disability Reconsiderations Get Turned Down?

  • If Your Disability Benefits Are Stopped Can You Get Them While You Appeal?

  • Am I Eligible For Social Security Disability?

  • How Disabling Does A Condition Have To Be For Social Security, SSDI Benefits?

  • How Do You Qualify For Disability If You Don’t Have Money To Go To the Doctor?

  • What steps do you follow if you get denied for disability?

  • How do you Apply for SSI?

  • The SSI Award Letter from Social Security