You are well-advised to work with an attorney for your SSDI application. While you might think you only need legal representation if your claim is denied, working with a disability lawyer from the very beginning is the best way to ensure success.
The SSDI application process is very complex. Not only must you back your claim with documentation about your medical condition and work history, but everything must be filed according to a strict timeline. In the event that your initial application is denied, having the same disability lawyer working on your appeal will keep everything organized.
If you work with a disability lawyer from the very beginning of your SSA application, you will develop a succinct argument that clearly shows your work history and medical requirements. Moreover, a disability lawyer will help you meet significant deadlines along the way in the application process.
The attorneys at the House of Justice have the systems in place to quickly gather, organize, and submit important documents for SSDI claims. Contact Us Today or call 1-800-840-8080 to set up a consultation.
What is the Social Security Disability Application Process Like?
Due to the vast sums of money that are at stake with SSDI benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has made the application process quite rigorous.
Prove Work History
One of the most important elements of a successful SSDI application filing is proving you meet minimum work history requirements. Notably, the SSA devised a point system to track your work history as it relates to social security disability. The basic foundations of the point system are as such:
- You can legally work in the United States
- You have worked full-time, part-time, and/or seasonally for 5 of the past 10 years
- You aren’t still working when you file for social security disability
Following the SSA point system, you need a total of 20 credits to qualify for social security disability benefits.
Prove Medical History
A skilled attorney can be invaluable in proving to the SSA that you are sick or injured and unable to work. In order to vet people for SSDI eligibility, the SSA put together a Blue Book that lists common qualifying conditions.
A critical part of the SSDI application process is providing ample evidence to back your medical claim. Common types of medical evidence used in SSDI applications include test results, doctor’s notes, and records from hospital visits. A skilled disability attorney will help gather these sensitive documents from medical personnel and ensure they match the SSA Blue Book requirements.
Apply with the SSA
Once you have all your documentation in order, your attorney can help you with the actual SSA application filing process. Experienced lawyers can be very effective at successfully navigating the SSDI application portal.
What are the Benefits of Working with a Social Security Disability Lawyer?
While you aren’t legally required by the SSA to use a disability lawyer, having one on your side greatly increases your odds of getting social security disability benefits.
By working with a disability lawyer from the very beginning of your SSDI claim all the way through final resolution, you will have constant forward progression in your case – including potential appeals. Because an attorney will ensure that all the information required by the SSA is turned in correctly, your case will move more quickly and efficiently.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that about 80% of SSDI claims are denied in the first round of applications. While you can appeal your SSDI denial, subsequent reconsideration and law hearing steps will require legal expertise if you hope to reverse the decision.
Since the SSDI claim and appeals process can take up to 24 months, it’s simply not worth gambling your time and benefits by not using sound legal guidance.
Does Having a Lawyer Help Speed Up the SSDI Application Process?
While there is no set timeframe for SSDI applications, being as organized as possible from the very start is your most surefire path to a speedy ruling. Since disability lawyers like those at the House of Justice work on hundreds of SSDI applications every year, we have the skills and bandwidth to fast-track your claim with the SSA.
A good disability lawyer will help you prove important medical claims during both your initial application and potential appeal. According to the Disability Benefits Center website, lawyers “can know why applications are denied and can help to ensure you have valid medical evidence which supports your application for SSDI.” With years of experience behind us, we at the House of Justice know exactly what the SSA requires for medical evidence. We painstakingly review each medical document to ensure it is valid in proving your SSDI case.
What Type of Paperwork Can a Disability Lawyer Help With?
One of the key elements to a quick SSDI application is getting your paperwork organized. If you don’t have a formal education in law, you are bound to make some mistakes with the paperwork.
Important administrative work that a disability lawyer can help with includes:
- Paperwork for new filings
- Medical documentation
- Work history documents
- Paperwork for reconsiderations
- Filing for ALJ hearings
Having your paperwork done right the first time is one of the most critical factors for a successful SSDI application.
Need Help Filing an SSDI Claim? Contact House of Justice
At the House of Justice, we have Spanish-speaking attorneys that will help you get the SSDI benefits that you deserve. Moreover, our disability lawyers have systems in place to quickly gather, organize, and submit important documents for SSDI claims.
Contact Us today to get started!
Hours - Monday through Friday from 8am to 6pm. (PST)
