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Getting a Disability Lawyer in New Mexico for a Social Security or SSI ClaimIf you are filing for social security disability (SSD) or filing for SSI benefits in New Mexico, you may be wondering if you should hire a lawyer to represent you. The truth is, only you can make that decision, and the answer will vary, depending on your individual needs and, of course, the nature of your medical disability (some conditions, such as blindness or paralysis, impose obvious physical limitations that are likely to result in approval of benefits without legal representation of any kind). In fact, 40.4% of residents of New Mexico are approved for SSD/SSI the first time they file for disability, and another 17.8% of disability applicants who were initially denied benefits by the New Mexico disability determination services (DDS) win benefits upon their first appeal (known as a request for a social security disability review or reconsideration). These approval rates are actually significantly higher the national average, so do applicants in New Mexico really need legal representation, and if so, when? As previously stated, it depends upon the circumstances surrounding each claim, as well as the individual involved. The vast majority of medical conditions for which claimants seek disability benefits are not listed in the social security administration impairment manual, commonly referred to as the “blue book.” While not having a condition listed in the blue book in no way prevents you from collecting disability benefits, it does make it a bit more complicated to demonstrate the nature of your medical condition, its symptoms, and how those symptoms prevent you from earning a living wage. Some people find that they are not up to the task of gathering all their medical records, meeting deadlines, compiling a detailed work history, etc., particularly if their physical or mental condition is debilitating. In Santa Fe, a lawyer representing a disability claimant is regularly notified of all developments in the case, and will make sure that all medical and work history records are where they need to be, when they need to be there (in other words, no missed deadlines). This can be very helpful to disability claimants who, for whatever reason, are unable to advocate for themselves. Of course, many if not most disability claimants in New Mexico find that they are able to provide all the necessary medical and work history information to disability determination services with little difficulty, and do not need a lawyer to help them stay on task. However, even these individuals are strongly advised to seek legal counsel when both their initial disability claim and reconsideration appeal have been denied by a New Mexico disability examiner, because the next step in the process involves a hearing before an administrative law judge. In New Mexico and across the nation studies have shown that having a disability lawyer present your case to an administrative law judge significantly increases your chances of winning. In fact, an experienced disability lawyer or non-attorney claimant's representative (non-attorney reps are often former SSA representatives of state disability examiners) can mean the difference between approval and disapproval of your claim. 
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