Don’t Lose Your Appeal for SSD in Chicago By Being Unprepared

If you have gone through all the trouble of apply for SSD in Chicago or SSI in Illinois, you don’t want to have your claim denied because you weren’t well prepared. When your claim is denied, you must begin the lengthy appeals process. This happens to many applicants for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois. You mustn’t be discouraged; now you need to have your wits about you.

The first step is requesting a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This hearing is very important, and a significant number of applicants for SSD and SSI ruin their chances of success by not carefully preparing for this hearing. To improve your chances of being approved for SSD or SSI, you should take the following steps. Even though doing these things won’t guarantee success, it will give you a better chance of approval.

Documentation is everything. When you apply for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois, you must be able to prove that you are disabled and eligible for benefits. Medical records, your entire medical history, dates of doctor’s visits, medication lists, increasing or diminishing disability…all these things are vital to your claims for SSD in Chicago and SSI in Illinois. Get support statements from your physicians testifying to your disability.

Most importantly, hire a disability attorney in Chicago who has experience with SSD cases. While it is possible to do the appeal on your own, it is not advisable. Administrative law is very complicated, and there are often any procedures that must be followed perfectly to ensure you get legal relief. Not hiring an attorney may cost you your SSD or SSI. You need an advocate to not only help you prepare your documentation, but to stand up for your right to receive disability compensation today.

Cut Through the Red Tape With a Disability Attorney

Your disability affects many aspects of your life, and a disability attorney can help you with the legal implications of your injury or disability. Without an attorney, you may find your way barred by miles of red tape. That’s because disability law, particularly social security and other government agencies, can be hard to navigate without a disability lawyer. In order to ensure you receive the benefits you deserve, you should consider hiring an experienced social security attorney.

If you don’t have a disability lawyer, there is a greater chance your claim for disability benefits will be denied. Did you know that almost three-fourths the claims for social security disability claims are denied on first application? This is just one example of why a disability attorney is the right choice for you.

Those who don’t hire a disability lawyer find their claims denied because there was not enough documentation. A disability lawyer will know exactly what you need to put together to raise your chances of getting approved. Many people put off hiring a disability attorney until after their claim is already filed. Others don’t hire a disability lawyer until the appeals process begins.

Appealing your denial without a disability attorney is a mistake, because you have to cross every T, and your attorney will know exactly how to do that. The law is made up of the statutes on the books, case law, and administration decisions, and a disability attorney will help you make sense of all that. A disability lawyer works within the system to get you the results you need. Don’t risk drawing the process out longer than it has to be. With your attorney by your side, you can successfully navigate the system and get the compensation you deserve.

Social Security Adds Conditions to Compassionate Allowances Program; Disability Attorney can Help Navigate Process

The Social Security Administration has added more than 50 new “Compassionate Allowances” conditions -- mostly involving cancers, rare diseases affecting children and neurological disorders -- to the program that “fast-tracks” disability decisions.

The program works to “ensure that Americans with the most serious disabilities receive their benefit decisions within days instead of months or years,” according to the SSA. These new conditions will be effective as of August.

The conditions were added in mid-April. The Compassional Allowances program was started in 2008 with an initial list of 50 diseases and conditions. The number of Compassionate Allowances conditions as of August will total 165, including 13 conditions that were added in October 2011.

Michael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, said the agency will continue to work with the medical community and patient organizations to add more conditions. Under the program, “we quickly approved disability benefits for nearly 61,000 people with severe disabilities in the past fiscal year, and nearly 173,000 applications since the program began,” he said in a statement on the SSA site.

“The Compassionate Allowances initiative identifies claims where the nature of the applicant’s disease or condition clearly meets the statutory standard for disability. With the help of sophisticated new information technology, the agency can quickly identify potential Compassionate Allowances and then quickly make decisions.”
The conditions include adults brain disorders, rare genetic disorders affecting children, immune system conditions, early-onset Alzheimer’s, certain cancers and other disorders and conditions.

Astrue added that the SSA is working to streamline its online disability application process. As of April 21, 2012, adults filing for benefits online have the option to sign and submit the “authorization to disclose information to the Social Security Administration” electronically.

Of course, a disability attorney or disability lawyer is well-versed in all forms and manners of applying for Social Security Disability benefits.

Most SSD attorneys would recommend consulting with a disability advocate before applying. For example, in our office, our staff reviews the specifics of the case and recommends the form of application -- in person, by telephone or online -- for that particular case that offers the best chance for approval.

And because the process is complex and time-consuming, with many requirements and strict deadlines, having a disability attorney in your corner can mean the difference between rejection and success. Yes, it’s possible to go it alone. But experienced advocacy can make a big difference.

SSD benefits are based on a large number of factors, including health, ability to work, work history and past income. Our staff offers the advice you need to present your case and medical history in the best light possible, giving you the greatest chance for approval. With our help, you may be able to obtain the benefits you need in an effort to eliminate some of the financial pressures you face.

The SSA website has more information on the Compassionate Allowances Initiative.