Sixty-one million American adults live with a disability. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities find themselves at a severe disadvantage at many jobs, making it much harder to find employment.
While the government does have a Social Security program for this, it’s not always easy to prove that one’s ability to work is impaired. It’s a confusing and often complicated process, and it’s not uncommon for people to be rejected because they didn’t understand the application process.
Fortunately, you don’t have to go it alone. You can always hire a lawyer to help you navigate your case and maximize your chances of success. We’ll talk about some of the ways a lawyer can help with your social security case in this article.
- Knowing What You Need
One reason to hire an attorney is that they will understand how to apply and what kind of medical documents you’ll need. The biggest obstacle is knowing which information is relevant and which isn’t.
For instance, you might think that in the spirit of total honesty, it’s best to include the opinions of all of your doctors, even the ones who disagree with your claim. Unfortunately, this evidence will likely be used against you and might prevent you from qualifying.
You might also end up including information you don’t need. This isn’t as likely to hurt your case, but it’s still extra work you didn’t need to do.
- Communication and Presentation
Just as important as knowing what information to present is knowing how to present it. The best lawyer for your case will have plenty of experience working with doctors and the government.
Doctors are just like anyone else in that they’re often busy and might be just as confused about the Social Security process as you are. Your social security attorney can help them understand the process, just like they helped you. Sometimes, explaining Social Security and dispelling common misconceptions is enough to convince people.
A good attorney will also know how to present your case to the Social Security Office. If you’re looking for a social security disability attorney in Columbia, South Carolina, we can help.
- Helping with Appeals
Getting approved for Social Security benefits can be a long and arduous process, and there’s a good chance your application won’t be approved initially. Roughly 78% of applications will be denied additionally.
Another 18% are approved after further consideration or appeals. Overall, up to 40% of claims might be successful, so getting legal help just in case is definitely worth it.
They’ll know how to navigate the appeals process, and they’ll know the right questions to ask you during your hearing, should you need one.
Why You Should Hire a Lawyer for Your Social Security Application
If you’re applying for Social Security benefits, do yourself a favor and hire a lawyer. We’ve talked about some of the ways a disability lawyer can help you in the paragraphs above, but you can never be too prepared for your application.
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