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For individuals and families who are facing the consequences of financial hardship after a disability, obtaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an important step to helping support your family. Unfortunately, statistics from the Social Security Administration (SSA) reveal that the initial acceptance rate is only about 22%, and the overall allowance rate is under 50%. A large percentage of these denials are based on technical errors, meaning the way that the forms have been completed, omissions in proof, or improper filings. But there are many other grounds for denials, including lack of medical evidence, failing to timely respond, and other defects in applications that an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in NYC can handle for you.
Here at O’Connor Law, our compassionate and experienced team can help you and your family recover the Social Security benefits that you are entitled to under the law. We know how to handle claims in ways that can help maximize your total recovery and improve your chances of getting accepted in the initial review. If you have already been denied, we can help you appeal the decision and support your claim at a hearing, through paper briefs, and by representing you during the pendency of your claim. If you have questions or if you need help after a denial, underpaid claim, or need to know what your next step is, call our experienced Social Security Disability lawyers in NYC at O’Connor Law to schedule a FREE consultation to learn how we can help you today.
There are many steps that you can take to help get your SSDI claim approved. None of these are guaranteed, as many claims are fact-dependent based on your injury, the disability, how it impacts your life, what your healthcare providers are opining, and other considerations regarding your claim. Some of the most important steps to take to help maximize your claim include the following:
Waiting to file a disability claim can hurt your chances for approval, and it can also delay your payout. After you have been disabled for at least 1 year, or after 6 months and a doctor is opining that you will be out for at least 1 year, file your SSDI claim. Do not delay, that will only hurt your chances.
Do not submit a bare claim and do not expect the SSA to seek out information from your providers. You need to provide enough information in your initial claim to support your application. This includes all relevant treatment notes and medical records, including records that you believe may hurt your case; do not hide anything. It may not hurt your case as much as you think, and when the SSA sees that you admitted this information, it may really hurt your application more than it would have if you disclosed it in the first place.
Just because you submit all of your medical records does not mean that is enough. You need to continue to update your medical records while your application is pending, including your recent treatment, which can help your claim.
Part of SSDI is that you have a proper work history. You will need to provide evidence of your work history including over the last 20 years (or if less, as much as you have) to prove you have enough work credits to satisfy the requirements for SSDI. If you fail to prove your work history, your claim may be entitled right away for SSDI benefits.
Do not delay in filing an appeal. As soon as you get a denial or a decision that you believe is adverse to your claim, you need to file an appeal to challenge that decision. If you fail to timely appeal, your claim could remain denied and not be able to be reopened or challenged. This means you may not be entitled to recover compensation for your claim.
The vast majority of SSDI claims that are denied are denied by technical reasons that could be avoided by hiring an experienced Social Security Disability lawyer in NYC at O’Connor Law. The truth is, if you are disabled to the extent that you are out of work for a year, it is likely that the claims process can be very difficult for you and your family to complete. This is particularly true if the SSA office is asking you many questions that may be based in medicine and law—areas you may not be comfortable with. But we are. Learn more how we can help you by calling to schedule a FREE appointment by dialing (844) 692-6671 or by sending us a private message through our “Contact Us” box available here.
New York Workers Comp Lawyers & Social Security Disability Attorneys
