Have you wondered whether it’s really necessary to have a lawyer help you file for disability? Many disabled people have considerable experience with the bureaucracies of public assistance; if you’re familiar with the process of applying for public housing or food stamps, you may feel well-qualified to fill out an application for SSDI. The fact is, however, that the disability approval process is profoundly different from other benefit programs, and attempting it without a lawyer is unlikely to meet with success. Here’s why:

Fewer Applications are Accepted Every Year

Unlike assistance programs which accept all applicants who fit the eligibility criteria, SSDI grants benefits to fewer than 35 percent of the people who apply. If your application is denied, you may appeal — but that process is highly technical and involves four progressive levels of court appearances and document filing. Furthermore, as the social security administration comes under increasing financial and political pressure, it continues to lower its percentage of acceptances each year. In 2010, over 700,000 SSDI applicants had their final appeals denied, according to statistics published by the Social Security Administration.

Having an Ally Makes a Difference

It is fundamentally difficult to be put in the position of proving that you truly need assistance. This is not a situation that anyone wants to find themselves in, and facing a hostile bureaucracy alone can be deeply discouraging. Most people who receive an initial denial give up and don’t attempt to schedule the hearings and court appearances involved in the appeal process. After all, the sheer work involved in assembling the legal, medical and employment documents can be overwhelming when you’re unable to work due to your disability.

How Social Security Lawyers Help

With background understanding of the changing medical approval criteria as well as the complex process, your lawyer can help you present your case in the most persuasive way. This includes choosing the wisest “onset date” for your disability, making sure your lab work and medical history fits SSA’s exact criteria for their “Listing of Impairments,” and demonstrating that your disability prevents you from doing the type of work that the Social Security Administration considers that you’re qualified to do. Furthermore, if your initial application is denied, a lawyer’s assistance is essential for the court appearances involved in the appeals process.

No Upfront Legal Costs

When you come into the Morgan & Morgan Law office you can sit down and talk with an experienced attorney. You’ll learn about your particular situation, and about how a lawyer can help you. Furthermore, you won’t pay any legal fees out of your own pocket; Morgan & Morgan lawyers only receive payment from your eventual SSDI award. Contact us today and secure the peace of mind you need for your future.

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Lee Paulk Morgan

Lee Paulk Morgan

With more than 41 years of experience in the areas of Bankruptcy, Disability, and Workers’ Compensation, Lee Paulk Morgan is one of the most respected Bankruptcy and Disability attorneys in Athens, Georgia. His tireless dedication to serving clients has gained him the reputation of a premier attorney in his areas of practice, as well as the trust and respect of other legal experts, who often refer clients to him.