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 Washington for a Social Security or SSI Claim



If you live in the state of Washington and are thinking of applying for social security disability (SSD) or supplemental security income (SSI) benefits, chances are you have never stopped to think of the fact that you are likely to have to appear before a federally appointed administrative judge. And yet, statistics from the Office of Disability Programs indicate that nearly 60 percent of all SSD and SSI disability claims filed in Washington state are denied. Nor are applicants who appeal the state disability examiner’s decision likely to see any financial relief; a staggering 84.9 percent of all request for reconsideration appeals or reviews are denied by the Washington state disability determination services as well.

If, like most disability claimants, you are turned down for benefits upon reconsideration, your best option is to file a second appeal, which will be heard, not by disability determination services, by a disability judge. You are strongly advised to seek legal counsel at this point—this is your best chance of winning benefits. Nationwide, about 40 percent of disability applicants who were denied benefits by a state disability examiner are awarded benefits when their case is heard before an administrative judge, but this number rises to over 60 percent when the claimants are represented by a disability attorney. An experienced disability lawyer will craft a strong case by examining your past claims and determining any weaknesses in the medical information provided that may have been used as a basis of your past denials. Your attorney may also be able to spot inconsistencies in the disability examiner’s decision and present those to the judge as well, all in a manner that meets the social security administration (SSA) criteria for disability. Your attorney may also be able to suggest additional medical tests or evaluations that may be needed to bolster your claim, submit any new medical evidence to the judge as well.

The one thing you do not want to do if your claim has been denied by disability determination services is to give up. The disability determination process is both long and frustrating for most, but if you reach the third level of consideration and have the chance to have your case heard before an administrative judge, your chances of winning are great, particularly if you retain a Washington disability lawyer to represent you in this proceeding.























Return to:  

  • 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

  • List of Impairments for Social Security Disability

  • Social Security Disability Mental Testing

  • Social Security Disability Issues and Representation

  • The Qualification Criteria for Social Security Disability and SSI

  • Does The Social Security Disability Reconsideration Have A Time Limit?

  • Should you talk to an Attorney before you file a Disability Claim with Social Security?

  • What is the maximum fee a Social Security disability attorney can charge?

  • Can you apply for SSI for a learning disability ?

  • Can A Disability Attorney Guarantee That I Get A Social Security Approval?

  • Can the Social Security Office give you Bad Advice on a Disability Claim?

  • How Long Will My Case Be at the Social Security Hearing Office Before It gets Scheduled?

  • How do you Apply for SSI?

  • How does social security define disability?

  • How do I File for Social Security Disability?

  • If Am Medically Disabled, Can Social Security Still Turn Me Down For Some Reason?

  • Why is the Social Security Administration definition of disability so strict?

  • The Disability reconsideration Appeal - what is it and how do you file for it?

  • What does a Social Security Disability Examiner do?

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

  • Social Security Disability Denied — The Reasons Why

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

  • How does Social Security make decisions on disability claims ?

  • Will You Get Social Security Disability Benefits If You Cannot Work Your Old Job?

  • Social Security Disability Claim Status

  • What does a lawyer do to help on a Social Security disability claim?

  • Social Security Disability Advice for Filing

  • Applying for Disability - How long does it take to get Social Security benefits?

  • Receiving a Social Security Disability Award Letter

  • How Long Are You Given To Appeal Your Social Security Disability Denial?

  • Is there an income limit to be under when you apply for disability?

  • How Long Does A Social Security Disability Appeal Take?

  • The SSD, Social Security Disability Date of Application

  • Is it hard to qualify for Social Security benefits if you have depression ?

  • Why Do Social Security Disability Claims Take So Long?

  • Do you get medical healthcare benefits with Social Security disability ?

  • Social Security Denial - What should be done if your disability is denied?

  • Will The Condition You have Determine How Much You Get For Disability?

  • Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

  • Advice for a Social Security Disability Continuing Review

  • Social Security Disability SSI and Work Activity

  • Can my child receive disability for asthma ?

  • What is a disability according to the Social Security Administration?

  • Social security disability SSDI Benefits and your ability to work

  • Information about the SSI Disability Benefits Program

  • If you get Social Security disability benefits do you get Medicare or Medicaid?

  • What to do (forms to complete) if you receive a Denial on a Social Security Disability or SSI Case?

  • Social Security Administration Physical Consultative Exam (CE)

  • Social Security Disability Facts

  • Social Security Disability and SSI Claim Reviews