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


Do you need a Lawyer at the Administrative Law Judge Disability Hearing?


How to prove you are disabled
and win disability benefits

 
Most disability applicants will need a lawyer at the ALJ disability hearing if they wish to significantly increase their potential to win their disability case.

This is simply a point of reality considering that an unrepresented claimant will have zero understanding of how the disability determination process works, and what should be done to properly prepare a case for presentation to an administrative law judge.

On top of all this, of course, is the fact that a claimant will be at a severe disadvantage should the judge have a medical or vocational expert appear at the hearing. Responding properly to hypotheticals raised by an expert, or addressing new hypotheticals to an expert witness, can help determine whether or not a claim will be approved by a judge.

Back to the speed aspect, however, having a lawyer for your administrative law judge appeal may make the disability process faster by requesting the judge make a decision on the face of the record, or on the record.

What is this? If your lawyer provides medical records that indicate you are disabled or they believe the records contained in your disability file support an approval of disability benefits, they may ask the judge to make a disability determination without an actual hearing. This can eliminate many months of time that would usually be spent simply waiting for a hearing date.

Barring a disability decision on the face of the record, your lawyer can also send a letter of dire need to the hearing office to expedite the processing of your request for a disability hearing. If your lawyer files a dire need letter, make sure the letter is sent along with evidence that you are indeed behind on your rent, mortgage, or utility bills, or that you have a definite need for medications which you cannot afford.

Note: It is important to remember a dire need letter may or may not affect the wait time for an administrative law judge disability hearing. It really depends upon the backlog of hearings in your area hearings office.

Social Security hearings offices receive thousands of dire need letters from individuals just like you who are at their financial wits end because of their inability to work and earn a living. Having said this, dire need requests for expedited hearings are often still worth the effort. In some cases, they can eliminate an entire year of waiting.














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Topics and Questions


  • How do you Win Benefits under Social Security Disability?

  • Social Security On The Record Disability Decisions

  • Do You Automatically Get Approved For Disability If You Have Had A Stroke?

  • Will a Social Security Judge give You an Immediate Decision at the Disability Hearing?

  • Question about when Social Security Disability Benefits began (date of onset)

  • Applying for disability benefits in Pennsylvania

  • How Quick Is The Disability Claim Decision Made?

  • What Happens When You File an SSI or Social Security Disability Application?

  • What Determines Social Security Disability Income?

  • What are the Requirements for Social Security Disability and SSI?

  • Information about the SSI Disability Benefits Program

  • Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI disability ?

  • How Does Social Security Decide If You Are Disabled Or Not?

  • Has my Disability Claim Been Approved?

  • Filing for Social Security disability- what to bring when you apply

  • If my medical condition keeps me from working will I get Social Security disability ?

  • How long does it take to get a social security disability hearing decision?

  • Mental Disability Benefits - What Social Security will Consider

  • What Happens When You File a Social Security Disability Application?

  • What is the time frame for a judge to write up a decision for a disability hearing?

  • Applying for Disability - what are the rules?

  • Should you get a Statement from a Personal Physician for your SSD or SSI Disability Case?

  • Social Security Disability SSI Terms and Definitions

  • Social Security Disability SSI: Medical Evidence, Records, and Limitations

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

  • What does Social Security Disability Need to Know about your Work History and Jobs?

  • Can you appeal a disability claim denial if the deadline has passed ?

  • What is a Social Security Disability Denial based on?

  • Is Bipolar Disorder a disability according to Social Security?

  • What kind of cases win disability benefits ?

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

  • Medical Disability- How does Social Security view your work and medical records

  • How to Appeal a disability claim denial from Social Security

  • Should I apply for social Security disability or SSI disability ?

  • What Disabilities Qualify for SSI Disability Benefits?

  • How long does it take to get an SSI decision ?

  • What is the Role of a Social Security Disability Representative?

  • What is the Purpose of the Social Security Disability SSI Medical Exam, or CE?

  • Filing Disability Appeals- Reminders About the SSD, SSI Appeal Process

  • If Social Security Disability sends you to an Exam, will it be done by your doctor?

  • How Long Does It Take To Get SSDI If You Have To Appeal?

  • Optic Neuritis and Filing for Disability

  • Who Do I Contact at Social Security To File For SSD or SSI Disability?

  • How do Social Security Disability and SSI appeals work ?

  • Applying for disability benefits in Colorado

  • The Time Involved on a Social Security Disability Decision

  • How many work quarters do you need to qualify for disability ?

  • Osteoarthritis and Filing for Disability

  • Hiring a Qualified Disability Lawyer in Illinois

  • How Long Can You Receive Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI)?

  • Do You Have To Be Out Of Work For A Long Time Before You Can File For Disability?
























    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