If you are injured, sick, or otherwise unable to work because of a physical or mental disability, you may apply for Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. This is not exactly an adversarial process like in a courtroom, but that does not mean you do not need a lawyer. Applying for SSDI benefits can be complicated, and the government will scrutinize your application at every turn. Having an experienced disability benefits lawyer to help you is best.
If you want to apply for SSDI benefits, your attorney can assist you in gathering the necessary information, documentation, and evidence regarding your disability and inability to work. These applications are not simple, and seemingly minor mistakes could cost you everything. If your application is denied, a lawyer can help you submit an appeal. You should talk to a lawyer before you start the application process. If you have already submitted an application, talk to a lawyer anyway, as they can help you if you are denied.
Call our Arkansas disability benefits lawyers at (479) 316-0438 for a confidential initial case review free of charge.
How to Apply for SSDI Benefits in Arkansas
The actual application for SSDI benefits may be found online through the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website. While it is possible to fill out your application from the comfort of your own home, it might be in your best interest to fill it out from the comfort of your lawyer’s office instead. The application is not simple, and you must provide a wide variety of in-depth information about your condition and work history.
Our Fayetteville, AR disability benefits lawyers will review your medical condition and ability to work to make sure you meet the government’s criteria for an eligible disability. According to 20 C.F.R. § 404.1505(a), a disability must involve an inability to perform any substantial gainful activity because of a medically determined mental or physical impairment that will last for at least 12 months or end in death.
To prove you have a disability, your application must include information about your medical condition and medical history. If you have not seen your doctor in a while, it might be a good idea to be reevaluated soon so that your records are as up-to-date as possible. We must also include the names and contact information of your doctors.
Remember, the information we must provide in your application will be a lot, and it must be specific and detailed. Vague statements about your condition or ability to work might be insufficient to get you approved for SSDI benefits.
How an Attorney Can Help You Apply for SSDI Benefits in Arkansas
Your attorney can help you by making sure all the necessary information you need for your application has been collected. They can also help you fill out the application so that no important details are left out by accident. An experienced disability attorney should know what the government is looking for in these applications, and they can make sure your application has everything it needs.
As mentioned before, your lawyer can help you gather important medical records. Your medical records might be quite extensive depending on your condition and how long you have lived with it. It is not unusual for people with serious disabilities to have multiple doctors in several hospitals treating different aspects of the condition. Gathering all this information can be a daunting task, but your attorney can help you.
Your attorney can also help fill out the application forms. Remember, this application involves in-depth information. Simple or short answers might not be enough. Your lawyer should know what needs to be included in your application to get you approved for benefits. They should also be aware of pitfalls to avoid that might set you back or even get your application denied.
Filing an Appeal with Your Lawyer if SSDI is Denied in Arkansas
Perhaps you need an attorney because you already submitted an application for SSDI benefits and it was denied. In that case, your attorney can help you file an appeal and hopefully get the denial reversed. You need to speak to an attorney quickly if you have been denied. You only have 60 days from the day you receive notice of the denial to file an appeal.
The appeals process might be quite time-consuming and frustrating, and having an attorney assist you is best. The first step involves simply asking the SSA to reconsider your application. Someone who has not reviewed your application before might look at it and possibly reach a different conclusion.
If a reconsideration does not work, we can ask for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Here, the administrative law judge may review your case and determine if the decision to deny your application was correct.
If the administrative law judge does not help your case, we can request a formal review of the matter by the appeals council. They may review the case and decisions made by the administrative law judge. If they find errors or believe the denial was not made in accordance with SSA laws and regulations, they might help you get approved. If not, we can take the case to federal court.
When to Speak to a Lawyer About Your SSDI Application in Arkansas
The sooner you speak to an attorney about your SSDI application, the better. People sometimes hesitate to have a lawyer help them submit the application because they believe they can handle it themselves. Unfortunately, many people find themselves overwhelmed by the application process and are in way over their heads. A lawyer can put you at ease by bringing their knowledge and legal skills to the table.
Talk to Our Arkansas Disability Benefits Attorneys Today
Call our Rogers, AR disability benefits lawyers at (479) 316-0438 for a confidential initial case review free of charge.