FAQs: Social Security Disability Appeals lawyers
Strom Law Disability Attorneys answer common client questions on the Social Security appeals hearing and Social Security appeals awards, among others. Don’t find your question below? Give us a call or by filling out the case form at the top right or calling 888-490-2897.
My Claim for Social Security Benefits was Denied. What do I need to do to submit a Social Security appeal?
If you are denied your claim for social security, you should file a request for reconsideration unless you have already returned to work or expect to return to work in the near future.
You should also consider retaining an attorney to represent you. The legal agreement is generally based on contingency (no upfront cost and no fee if you don’t win benefits) and must be approved by the Social Security Administration.
What is “reconsideration” in a Social Security appeal?
When a claim for Social Security disability benefits is denied at the initial level, you may then request “reconsideration” of that decision. The case is then sent to a different disability examiner for a new decision. You can and should submit new evidence at this stage.
How likely is it that I will be awarded benefits in a social security appeal?
Unfortunately, the reconsideration decision is the same as the initial decision – a denial at least 80% of the time. Statistically, claimants who employ an attorney to represent them are much more likely to win than those who go without representation. The Social Security appeal lawyers at the Strom law firm know what limitations need to be established to help you qualify and develop the evidence to prove they are present.
How long does it take to get a hearing on a Social Security disability claim?
The average waiting time at the Columbia, South Carolina Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is over eighteen months after the hearing is requested.
What is the Social Security appeal hearing like?
Social Security hearings are fairly informal. The judge, a court reporter operating a recording device, you and your attorney will be present. In some cases, the Administrative Law Judge has a medical doctor or vocational expert present to testify at the hearing.
Will the Social Security Office have an attorney?
No, the Social Security office will not have an attorney trying to get the judge to deny the disability claim.
Can I appeal a Social Security disability denial by yourself?
Yes. But unless your case is very clear cut and the evidence points strongly to your disability, you are likely better off hiring an attorney. We surveyed thousands of readers in 2017, and 60% of readers with lawyers were approved for disability benefits compared to 34% of those who didn’t use an attorney. Similarly, a government report from the same year found that disability applicants who used representatives were allowed benefits almost three times as often as those without.
How do lawyers who represent Social Security disability claimants in social Security Appeals get paid?
We are only paid if we win. The fee is one-fourth (1/4) of the back time plus expense reimbursement or $6,000, whichever is less.
Contact the Social Security Lawyers at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts surrounding your claim for social security benefits. We are located in Barrister Hall 6923 N. Trenholm Rd, Columbia SC 29206-1707
