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Archive for January, 2006
Friday, January 20th, 2006
Social Security Administration allows anyone to file his or her own Social Security Disability Benefits claim without the aid of an attorney. Everyone also has a right to have an attorney represent them in the Social Security Disability cases. However, if we examine the statistics of past cases we can clearly see that claimants represented by an attorney have had a much higher success rate than people without any representation. In addition many claimants will find that having an attorney will help in most aspects of the case from handling the documentation to appeals. They will get a better understanding of the Social Security System and their own claim through an attorney. In light of the above facts people who want file a claim for Social Security Disability should seriously consider the advantages of having an attorney to represent them in the case.
An attorney can help the claimant in a variety of ways including the following. An attorney experienced in disability claims will be able to recognize what the Social Security Administration will look for in the claimant’s particular case that will prove the claimant’s disability. As such he or she will be able to help the claimant, by evaluating the case according SSA regulations before hand, by assisting in the proper filling of forms, by getting additional medical evidence and by
preparing the claimant for giving testimony at the hearing. Since the attorney will be familiar with system he or she will also be able help the claimant file the
relevant documents, from initial claim to appeals in a orderly professional manner, acceptable to the bureaucracy concerned. The attorney will be able to monitor the progress of the case and supplement it with any additional documents and evidence as needed promptly, The attorney will also be able to fully argue the case in front of the Administrative Law Judge if there is an second appeal and protect the interest of the claimant by objecting or pointing out to the judge any improper evidence or procedures that might adversely effect the claim. Finally an attorney will be able to ensure that Social Security Administration will properly calculate
the benefits when the claim is approved.
Posted in Social Security Disability | No Comments »
Friday, January 13th, 2006
People always ask me where is the best place to find information about social security disability without having to pay for an attorney or disability advocate. The first thing I tell them is you do not pay for a social security disability attorney. That can’t be true, right? Well it is half true. A typical social security disability attorney receives compensation through an agreement similar to a contingency fee. For those who are unfamiliar with a contingency fee, it basically is, you only pay the attorney if you are awarded benefits. So when you see free consultation, there is no catch. It actually is free! So a social security claimant only stands to gain from talking to a social security disability lawyer.
Outside of an attorney, the internet is the best place to find information about your social security claim. There is a wealth of information available to you from various source on the web. The social security administration’s website for disability is www.ssa.gov/disability/. Everything you read on this site is completely accurate and is constantly being updated with the most current rules and regulations on social security.
There are several independent websites devoted to providing legal services, general information, and anything else you want to know about the social security process.
For the ambitious claimant out there, you can go to the actually Social Security Act. While this is the source for social security disability, it is not the easiest document to read and is quite dry.
Basically the information is out there, it just takes a little leg work on your part to find it. It is easy to access this information. Just sit down on the internet and punch in keywords on the several search engines available on the internet. Or you can browse around on this site to find what you need to know.
Posted in Social Security Disability | 1 Comment »
Thursday, January 12th, 2006
Social security disability benefits are meant to provide for Americans who are mentally or physically disabled by an illness or disease, which prevents them from seeking gainful employment for a period of twelve months or more. Only those with total disabilities can take advantage of social security benefits; people with partial disabilities are not eligible for the disability claims. It is equally important to note that disability allowance is not reserved for the permanently disabled only; in fact, the law encourages people to get back to work, without losing their allowance.
Although you can file your own claim if you are disabled, statistics indicate that doing so with the help and guidance of social security disability attorneys has a higher rate of success in this area. (Click here for a FREE consultation with a social security disability attorney.) The paperwork, bureaucracy and procedural time taken can wear out anybody. It is, therefore, better to engage an El Paso social security disability lawyer to file your claim.
Our sponsoring El Paso social security disability lawyers will render the following services:
• Evaluate your case and determine the disability benefits that you can apply for.
• Handle the necessary documentation.
• Compile your past and present medical records, and gather expert medical opinion on your condition.
• File for hearings before the administrative level judges and in the federal court, if necessary.
• Fight your case, collect evidence, ensure that you get what is due and support you all along the way.
Our El Paso social security disability lawyers offer their services in other cities of Texas, such as Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Lubbock, Abilene, etc.
The El Paso Social Security offices are located at:
Room D-102, Federal Building,
700 East San Antonio Street,
El Paso,
Texas - 79901
11111 Gateway West,
El Paso,
Texas - 79935
Posted in Social Security Disability | 1 Comment »
Thursday, January 12th, 2006
Social security disability benefits are meant to provide for Americans who are mentally or physically disabled due to illness or disease, which prevents them from seeking gainful employment for a period of twelve months or more. Only those with total disabilities can take advantage of the social security benefits; those with partial disabilities are not eligible for disability claims.
It is important to note that disability allowance is not reserved only for the permanently disabled; in fact, the law encourages people to get back to work without losing their allowance.
Although you can file your own claim if you are disabled, statistics indicate that doing so with the assistance and guidance of professional and experienced social security disability attorneys has a higher rate of success in this area. (Click here for a FREE consultation with a social security disability attorney.) The paperwork, bureaucracy and procedural time taken can wear out anybody. It is, therefore, better to engage a Dallas social security disability lawyer to file your claim.
Our Dallas social security disability lawyers will render the following services:
• Evaluate your case and determine the disability benefits that you can apply for.
• Handle the necessary documentation.
• Compile your past and present medical records, and gather expert medical opinion on your condition.
• File for hearing before administrative level judges and in the federal court, if necessary.
• Collect evidence, fight your case, ensure that you get what is due to you and support you along the way.
Our Dallas social security disability lawyers also offer their services in the other cities of Texas, such as Austin, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston etc.
The Dallas Social Security offices are located at:
3231, M.L King Jr Boulevard,
Dallas,
Texas - 75210
Suite 100
7330, South Westmoreland Road,
Dallas,
Texas - 75237
Posted in Social Security Disability | 2 Comments »
Monday, January 9th, 2006
What is a disability advocate? A disability advocate is one that pleads the cause of another in regard to a claim for social security disability. This could be an attorney, family member, friend, or someone who is in the business of filing disability claims on behalf of a claimant. When someone files an application for Social Security disability under the Social Security Administration’s two programs, SSD or social security disability and SSI or supplemental security income they are referred to as a claimant. This claimant has to make a decision regarding representation. A social security disability claimant has basically three choices.
1. Claimants can represent themselves. It is true that in order to receive disability benefits under either program a claimant does not need the assistance of a disability advocate. There is nothing that you cannot do that an advocate can. However there are certain things an attorney can do that an advocate or claimant cannot do, such as representation in Federal District Court. With that said is it a good idea to represent yourself with your social security disability claim? Not really. Claimants who have some sort of representation stand a better chance of receiving benefits than those on their own. This is especially true once you get to the hearing stage of your claim. If you have not been to a social security hearing before you do not want your first one to be your own case. While the hearings are somewhat informal compared to a trial, there are things a representative can do much more effectively than you can do on your own.
2. Claimants can seek the advice and counsel of a non-attorney representative. This non-attorney representation can be a family member, friend, or someone who specializes in filing and completing applications for social security disability. While I would not recommend a family member or friend with no experience handle your claim, if you decide not to have an attorney your next best choice is an individual who is in the business of doing disability claims for others. There are several agencies and companies who do this type of work.
3. The third choice and the most sound is employing the services of a social security disability attorney. Claimants that have attorneys handling their claims are more likely going to be awarded benefits. This is a bold statement, but it is true. The numbers speak for themselves. Many social security disability attorneys chances of success are very high. When it comes to your claim you should not risk your chances of receiving benefits without having counsel employed.
Posted in Social Security Disability | No Comments »
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