
If you have ever suffered a disability and need compensation, there is a need for you to acquire legal representation especially if you want to get your disability payment from SSA {Social Security Administration}. Although getting a lawyer to represent you may not fasten the payment yet, it comes with its benefits.
Why Hire a Lawyer to Get Disability?
Your attorney can ensure that you follow the standard required to get your claim legally. When you follow the normal procedure, you will never make mistakes that may eliminate your chances of getting the disability claim. In short, your lawyer will help you avoid the pitfalls which in turn can fasten your case. If you are lucky to get a lawyer that is experienced in handling Disability cases, he or she can help you to get your benefits faster. That is when your lawyer has a working relationship with the Administration due to his or her many years of working with them.
However, all these factors are not a guarantee for a faster Disability benefit. The major factor that can guarantee your success is to;
- Get a Social Security Disability attorney that is conversant with the staff and law judges.
- Also, one who understands the regulations and can ensure that you get your claim via the system.
- A disability lawyer who can write briefs to the judge, capable of presenting the brief according to the judge’s specifications.
- Your disability attorney should be able to gather the right medical evidence that can prove your disability.
- He or she should be able to get the proper documentation that can prove that you are in dire need of financial aid.
- Your attorney should also provide you with the necessary tips that can maximize your opportunity to collect your SSI or SSD.
How Long Does It Take Get Disability With A Lawyer?
The waiting time for hearing on Disability cases are all back to back with each other especially around the US, Washington, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and DC areas. This is due to many reasons like;
- So many applications for SSI, Medicaid, or SSD benefits from different people who want to rehabilitate but couldn’t get it.
- The procedure for the application and appealing SSI and SSD are lengthy.
- There are many layoffs and budget cuts because of the unstable economy.
These reasons listed above play a major role in the length of time it takes to get a disability claim. They make the security agents overwhelmed with all the claims coming at them from everywhere. Another factor is the time it takes the security agents to ascertain which claim is real or fake.
That is why, if you want to get the actual time it will take you to get the disability benefit, you will have to start from the beginning of the process.
Processes for Getting Disability
- The first process is the initial claim or the application for the disability level. At this level, it can take you a minimum of 100 days for your initial claim to get a decision. Majority of the initial claims are rejected by the state’s disability examiners of course. According to the national statistics, the rejection rate of these disability claims is up to 70% although it may differ from state to state. If your initial claim receives a technical denial and you still want to pursue your goal, it then leads to the next stage.
- The next process is to file for a reconsideration appeal. You must file for the reconsideration appeal within the next 65 days of receiving the denial. You should also make sure that your local Security Office receives the appeal. This stage is really when the process for your disability claim begins.
Conclusion
How long it takes to get disability with a lawyer can go from months to years. It all depends on the complexity of your case and where you reside. For you to receive a decision for your initial claim application, it can take up to six months. If the decision is a denial, you have the right to appeal for Reconsideration. The Reconsideration stage can take up to seven months or less. If the court rejects your Reconsideration again, you can apply for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge.
Finally, you can say that in areas like Virginia, Maryland, and DC, it can take you up to two years to come in front of a judge and about two or three months to get a written decision from the judge. All in all, there is no specific length of time stipulated to get your Disability even with a lawyer.
Leave a Reply