If you are struggling with the legal ramifications of having a disability, retaining a disability lawyer is an absolute must. It can spell the difference between obtaining the justice you deserve or not.
You might be asking, what is a disability lawyer? Will having one improve my chances of getting disability benefits?
A disability lawyer can assist you with every part of the benefits process, from the initial application, to appeal, to representing you at a hearing. Keep reading, and our guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this part of the law.
What Does a Disability Lawyer Do?
A disability lawyer’s job is to protect you against discrimination. This includes making sure you receive the full federal and state benefits to which you are entitled.
One way disability attorneys do this is by helping clients file claims with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The SSA is in charge of the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Both of these federal programs provide cash and other benefits to disabled people.
If you apply for benefits and are rejected, a disability attorney can handle your appeal. You’ll have 60 days from the rejection to file the appeal, so you should move quickly in finding a disability lawyer to assist you.
You can also retain a lawyer you assist you with the initial application to reduce your chances of rejection.
How Will Having a Disability Lawyer Help You?
A Social Security lawyer won’t just fill out forms and argue in court. They are also skilled at navigating medical records and other forms of evidence in order to make your case for benefits as airtight as possible.
You may need to appear in person at a hearing as part of the appeals process, at which your attorney will represent you.
At the hearing, you may have to answer questions in front of a judge. They may question you about your medical history, any conditions or disorders you have, what medications you take, and other related issues.
This can be intimidating, but any good attorney will prep you beforehand so that nothing will catch you off guard in the moment.
Research has shown that applicants are almost twice as likely to win their benefits claim with a disability lawyer. Applicants prevailed about 60 percent of the time with an attorney and only 34 percent of the time without one.
With these odds, you must at least consider the possibility of hiring a lawyer for Social Security benefits applications.
Get the Benefits That You Deserve
The legal system can be intimidating, and it can feel discouraging to appeal your benefits claim after it is rejected. That’s why hiring a disability lawyer is such a smart choice for people who need SSA benefits.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or appealing, hiring a disability lawyer will put you on the path to getting the outcome you deserve.
