It can be frightening when you cannot work to support yourself or your family. However, there are government disability benefits that can help you provide for your needs. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees the two disability programs for individuals who cannot work because they are disabled. Unfortunately, many people who apply for benefits must deal with Social Security denied claims.
Reasons for Social Security Denied Claims
The SSA denies a high percentage of initial applications for SSI and SSDI benefits. The SSA may give one or more reasons for Social Security disability denied claims. Some common reasons for denials of SSDI and SSI applications include:
- The person did not meet the SSA’s definition of disabled
- Incomplete applications
- The person earned too much money for Social Security disability benefits
- The SSA did not receive all information or documentation it requested
- The person failed to follow their doctor’s prescribed treatment
- The person refused to comply with consultative examinations
- An applicant did not have enough work credits for SSDI
- Lack of medical evidence of a disability
However, if the SSA denies your application for Social Security disability benefits, you have the right to appeal.
There are several levels of appeal. First, you can request a reconsideration of your denial. During a reconsideration, another agent reviews your file to determine if you should be approved or denied SSI or SSDI benefits.
You may request a hearing before an administrative law judge if the SSA denies the reconsideration. At that point, if you have not hired a Social Security disability attorney, you may want to consult an attorney for help.
How Can a Social Security Disability Attorney Help With a Denial of Claim?
You are not required to hire a lawyer for Social Security denied claims. However, having an experienced disability lawyer handle your appeal can improve your chances of winning your claim at a hearing.
You only have one chance to convince the judge that you qualify for Social Security disability benefits. An experienced Tulsa disability lawyer has a thorough understanding of the laws governing disability benefits. He also knows what evidence the judge requires and the best way to present evidence to the judge.
Reasons why you need a disability lawyer for a Social Security disability appeal include:
- A lawyer calculates the deadlines for filing appeals and monitors deadlines. If you miss a deadline, the SSA closes your case, and you would need to file a new application for benefits and start all over.
- Your attorney reviews your medical records to ensure they are complete. If there are gaps in treatment history or inconsistent reports, your lawyer can advise you whether you need additional medical evidence to improve your case.
- An attorney works with your physicians to obtain reports and opinions to strengthen your case for disability benefits. In some cases, your attorney may advise you to seek opinions from medical experts.
- Your lawyer questions witnesses at the hearing, including a vocational expert. Having an experienced attorney who knows what questions to ask at the hearing is crucial.
- An attorney prepares you for the hearing and discusses your testimony.
Appealing a Social Security disability denial can be a complicated process. An attorney makes the process less stressful and gives you a better chance of success.
Call Now For a Free Consultation with a Tulsa Social Security Disability Lawyer
Our legal team has extensive experience handling SSI and SSDI appeals. We want to help you get the disability benefits you deserve.
Contact The Law Office of Michael R. Green, PLLC, by calling (866) 944-4733 to schedule your free consultation with a Tulsa Social Security Disability attorney.