Jason D. Quick Social Security Disability Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Three Ways to Help Your SSA Case

Thursday, December 27, 2012 by Jason D. Quick

Go to the Doctor.
The claimant is required to provide sufficient medical evidence to
prove he or she is disabled. 20 C.F.R. § 404.1514. If you do not seek
medical treatment, you might not have sufficient evidence to prove your
disability. SSA might send you for a consultative examination if you do
not have sufficient medical evidence available. 20 C.F.R. §
404.1517. However, a one-time examination by an SSA provider is no
substitute for years of quality medical records and treatment. The
number one thing you can do for your case is go to a supportive doctor
and develop a solid treatment history.
Appeal any Denial.
Receiving a denial from SSA can be devastating if you are disabled.
Your ability to provide for yourself and your family has been
compromised. Then, when you attempt to collect benefits from the system
you have paid into, you are denied. It is very easy to give up hope
and just stop. However, you should understand that it is not unusual to
be denied at the initial and/or reconsideration level. Nationally,
only about 25%-45% of cases are approved at the initial and
reconsideration level combined. However, over 50% of cases are approved
at the hearing level, and people with attorneys do even better. If you
are disabled, you should never give up. If you fail to make all of
your appeals, you will limit your ability to appeal to federal court and
could ultimately cost yourself thousands of dollars if you have to do a
new application. Retroactive benefits are limited.
Get Help if you are Denied.
The disability application process can be daunting. There is no
substitute for the assistance of an experienced SSA attorney. It does
not cost you anything up front to hire RedTree Law Firm, PA. We only
get a fee if you win benefits and the fee is usually paid directly by
SSA out of your past-due benefits. You usually do not have to pay us
anything out of pocket, other than expenses for things like ordering
medical records. There is no reason to take unnecessary chances with
your case and your livelihood. You should never assume that the
government will do the right thing. You need to fight for your rights
and having an experienced attorney gives you the best chance of winning
benefits.