Why You Should Hire a Lawyer Before Filing for Social Security Disability
Many people file an application for Social Security Disability benefits on their own, and only contact an attorney after being denied. As an attorney that handles Social Security Disability claims, I encourage people to hire a lawyer at the beginning of the process, rather than after being denied once or twice. There are numerous benefits to having an attorney involved in the case early. The first is that you will not be on your own when it comes to dealing with the Social Security Administration, which can be a difficult organization to deal with. Your attorney will file the claim for you, and make sure you apply to all the programs you may be entitled to. An example of this is when I take a case where the person only applied for Social Security Disability Benefits (SSDI), and not Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a similar program to SSD except that it has an income and assets component.
When Should I Get an Attorney for My SSD Case?
Another important reason to hire an attorney before filing is that your attorney will actively assist in getting Social Security the evidence they need to decide your case. Social Security obtains your medical records from your doctors to decide your claim, but often do not obtain all of your medical records, and even deny claims when they do not have all of the medical records. If you have an attorney from the beginning your attorney will get your medical records and send them directly to Social Security. When I take a case from the beginning the first thing I do is contact your doctors to get your medical records, and then when I receive them I send them to Social Security so they have the evidence they need when deciding your claim.
Filing for Disability (SSDI) in Maryland
When you file for Social Security, you are asked to complete forms about your daily activities and your work history. The answers you provide in these forms are very important, and are often used to help decide your case. Often people fill these forms out and do not give the full story, for example under “chores” they will simply write “vacuum” when what is really happening is that you vacuum for 10 minutes until your back hurts too much to continue, and then you must rest for 30 minutes before you can vacuum again. If Social Security does not get the full story, they will likely use your answers against you. Having an attorney who goes over these forms with you to make sure Social Security gets the full story can be vital to your case.
How much does a Social Security Disability Attorney cost?
There is no fee unless you are awarded benefits.
Contact us before filing for Social Security Disability
Many attorneys do not want to take a Social Security Disability case until there has been a denial. I think this is the wrong approach, and encourage anyone who is in a position where they need to file for Social Security Disability to contact a lawyer prior to filing. If you or a loved one needs to file for Social Security Disability, please contact Plaxen Adler Muncy to schedule a free consultation prior to filing your Social Security Disability application.
Located in Maryland, the attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A. are experienced in Social Security Disability eligibility criteria, claims, denials and appeals. We are available 24/7 and welcome the opportunity to speak to you. Free consultation.
For more information about Social Security Disability claims in Maryland:
You Can and Should Keep Track of the Status of Your Social Security Disability Claim
When you apply for Social Security Disability, your application will go through a few stages before it reaches a person who will either accept or deny your claim. During this process, you can check on the status of your claim to see if there have been any changes or decisions made. You should keep track…
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How Long is the SSD Application Process?
The answer to how long it takes to apply for Social Security Disability benefits and get approved is, “it’s complicated.” It is complicated because there is not a standard time frame for approval of an SSD application, and there are different levels of approval. As we go into the explanation for average wait times and…
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Can You File for Unemployment While Waiting for Social Security Disability?
You are facing a dilemma when you have been let go from your job because you can no longer perform that type of work given your disability. Maybe you called out too many times for doctors’ appointments, or you are not able to lift or perform many of the required tasks for your position. You…
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Bruce Plaxen was honored as the 2009 Maryland Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Maryland Association for Justice. For more information on his legal background, please visit his attorney bio.