Social Security Disability - 11 Tips for a Successful Claim

More than 3 million Americans receive Social Security disability benefits every year, but, for most of them, it was a long struggle to get those benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, 12 million people apply for Social Security disability benefits every year. However, it is estimated that 70% of those claims are denied during the very first application process.

The Social Security disability process can be a long and tedious one. On average, an initial claim takes 4-6 months to process. And, if you're rejected and have to go through the entire appeals process, your case could drag on for as long as a year and half.

So, how can you increase your chances of having a successful Social Security disability claim on the first try? Start by following these 11 tips:

1. Learn everything that you can about the Social Security disability application process before you turn in your application. Find out exactly what you can expect.

2. File your Social Security disability claim right away. Since even successful claims can take months to process, you will want to get the ball rolling as soon as possible. That way, you stand a better chance of getting your much-needed Social Security disability benefits sooner.

3. File your Social Security disability paperwork very carefully. A huge number of disability claims are denied right off the bat because the forms were not filled out properly. Answer every question on the forms; leaving something blank can get your claim denied. If you need assistance, don't be afraid to ask someone to help you.

4. Your disability claim will be totally judged on your medical records, so be sure to get ongoing medical treatment. If you do not keep seeing your doctor, your examiner may argue that there are not enough medical records to support your claim. Or, you may have trouble getting your doctor to verify the severity of your condition if he has not seen you in a while.

5. Send copies of all of your medical records in with your Social Security disability application. You want to make sure that the examiner in charge of your case has all of the information. If you do not include your medical records, the examiner will have to call your doctor and get the records himself. That's something that could delay your case for months. Or, worse, if the doctor's office overlooks something, your examiner may not get all of the important information he needs to make a fair decision.

6. Bring up everything that is wrong with you, including mental conditions. Your examiner needs all of the information. For example, if you have memory problems on top of your physical impairment, it may make it even tougher for you to perform basic work.

7. Ask your doctor to write a letter on your behalf. Most doctors will not say that a patient is 100% disabled, but they can talk about why you cannot work. For example, they may say that you are unable to sit, stand, bend, or walk.

8. Keep tabs on your examiner. Call Disability Determination Services - not the Social Security Administration - for updates on your case. DDS is the organization that will handle your initial claim and do your medical evaluation. They are best equipped to handle your questions.

9. Do not assume that DDS knows everything. If a new medical condition arises during the course of your claim, tell your examiner. Or, if you have to go in for a disability interview, do not leave anything out.

10. Respond to any letters promptly. Not doing so can get your claim denied. DDS may send you a letter saying that you have to come in for a medical exam with an independent, third-party doctor. Not going to the appointment puts your claim at risk.

11. Hiring a Social Security disability attorney greatly improves your chances of getting your disability claim approved on the first try. A good lawyer will file all of the paperwork, make sure that you do not miss any deadlines, and pass on any updates to your examiner.

Steve Baik is a contributing editor for JamesDisabilityLaw.com, a site that provides information and resources for Social Security Disability Law and Benefits.

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Parenting Time Credit Toward Child Support

Since more parents are increasingly sharing custody, or "parenting time," many courts have been awarding a "parenting time credit" toward the payor-parent's child support obligation. With shared parenting, each parent incurs basic expenses for food and transportation when the child is physically with them. Also, when each parent provides the child with his or her own bedroom for overnight stays, such that the child basically has two households, each parent obviously incurs fixed residential expenses for the child.

How to Know If You Are Compatible With Your Divorce Attorney

Chemistry is needed in every partnership. Without it, there can never really be a certain understanding between the two partners. The relationship between you and your divorce attorney is nothing less than a partnership. Of course, the relationship is client-attorney, and the client may have the last say because he or she is the one paying. But you and your attorney are still considered partners. You have to work together to get the most out of the divorce. If the compatibility is absent, perhaps you think about your partnership with him or her. So, how can you tell if there's chemistry present?

You can mesh well

In short, you synchronize. You agree to almost everything. What happens when you don't synchronize? You argue. And, unfortunately, you can't solve nor do anything when you keep on arguing. When you finally did compromise on something, either one of you is unhappy or none is fully satisfied. How can you get a good compromise from the other party when you can't even resolve the internal issues between you and your attorney? You can only do two things. You can either work on your differences or find another attorney. It's won't be your loss. And this time, be sure that you can talk with you attorney for 5 minutes without raising your voice.

You respect each others differences

This is what I was talking about in the previous section. If you have worked on your differences, then the two of your can learn to respect each other. At least if there is respect you learn to listen and not just talk your arguments and theories away. The two of you should be considerate of each other. In order to do that, you have to remember these traits: respect, listening skills, and common sense. It's already given that your attorney should have common sense. If he or she doesn't have any, then he or she should have entered law.

Your attorney respects your opinion

Attorneys-especially arrogant ones-tend to become intolerable know-it-all. If ever your divorce attorney seems like he or she is full of him or herself, mark that as a red flag. Even though your divorce attorney is the expert when it comes to handling your case, he or she should also be sensitive to your opinions and feelings. After all, this is about you. And one more thing, you are the one paying your divorce attorney-not the other way around. You have the right to demand respect.

You have the same interests

Although this may seem immature, this kind of similarity helps in determining your chemistry. It does not matter if your divorce attorney is feigning his or her interest on the things you are interested in. at least there's an effort in his or her part to reach out to you and fill whatever gap you have between you. But, of course, it's still heart-warming and nice if you really do have common interests. If this is t he case, there's also a possibility of friendship even after the case already ended.

Find an Annapolis divorce attorney that's compatible to you. The attorneys of Wise & Donahue are flexible and can work with effectively with clients.

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Worker Compensation Attorney: What to Expect

If you've been injured on the job, a qualified worker compensation attorney will help you understand your rights and guide you through the complicated legal process of obtaining workers comp benefits. This is a legal matter that should not be attempted without proper legal advice. This article will explain what you can expect from hiring a professional.

Many worker compensation attorneys perform free initial consultations, so it is advisable to take advantage of this offer. Also note that workers comp cases are very time sensitive and contacting an attorney right away will allow you the best chance at a successful case. Since laws vary from state to state, local law firms may offer you more convenience.

At your first consultation with your chosen one, you will learn what your rights are in your specific circumstance, and how you can go about pursuing your rights. Also, your lawyer will discuss with you your options after reviewing the facts of your injury and your workplace's role.

After you learn about how your state's law applies to your claim, you will be presented with your options on how to secure your benefits. It is important to note that by contacting a worker compensation attorney, you aren't necessarily suing your employer. Oftentimes, you are requesting benefits based upon your injuries and debts related to your trauma.

When an employer carries workers insurance, they are obtaining liability protection from any injuries sustained by their employees while on the job. This insurance provides payment for medical care of injured employees in exchange for not being sued in court for monetary benefit.

The next step that will be taken by your worker compensation lawyer will largely depend on your state law as it relates to your injury and your employer, but will likely involve gathering the necessary paperwork before contacting your employer's workers comp representative to work out the details of your case, and then moving forward.

If your employer does not carry comp insurance, the process is different. If your employer is resisting reimbursing your medical bills and/or wages, your worker compensation attorney may have to sue to secure your benefits. Either way, having a workers comp lawyer is a proactive step in ensuring the protection of your rights.

Contacting your local worker compensation attorney will put this complicated matter in qualified hands, allowing you to focus on recuperating. Trust the advice of your attorney, and you'll find the process much easier than you thought.

In St Louis, worker compensation attorney helps injured worker recover medical expenses incurred by him, the lost wages and/or a lump sum amount for a permanent disability. To know more, visit http://www.missouriinjuryhelp.com

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Five Reasons To Contact A Social Security Disability Attorney

Because they are unable to work, about 12 million Americans with disabilities receive regular income supplements from the government. Managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), the federal insurance program is designed to provide for those that cannot support themselves financially. But because some unscrupulous sorts try to take advantage of the system, a rigorous screening process helps determine which applicants truly need and deserve financial assistance.

The Numbers

According to official figures from the SSA, only about 40 percent of all applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) are approved at the state level. Why are so many requests for help rejected? As mentioned, some applicants exaggerate and invent impairments for a chance at some easy money. Then there are those who have legitimate issues but don't know how to apply for benefits. These are the people that should contact a social security disability attorney as soon as possible.

How Can An Attorney Help?

You have a much better chance of receiving SSDI benefits if your case appears before an administrative law judge (ALJ). More than two-thirds of hearing decisions result in approval, according to official data from the SSA. The reason is that many of these applicants are represented by an attorney. As long as you have a legitimate impairment, these legal specialists can help you win your claim. How?

Making A Case

Just like any other court case, a disability attorney must build an argument based on evidence. He must then present it according to the rules of the court. Because few applicants have a high level of familiarity or expertise with this process, the chances of them developing an accurate, persuasive case are small. You probably only have one opportunity to make your case and start receiving the SSDI benefits you need.

Going At It Alone

Although it is possible to represent yourself at an ALJ hearing, it's uncommon for a reason. Most petitioners weigh the risks of going without legal representation against their future livelihood and decide to contact a social security disability attorney shortly after that.

Payment

Because they work on a contingency basis, these lawyers will only charge you if they win. As such, they only take cases that they believe. What does this mean for you? For starters, you should bring medical evidence of your disability to your initial consultation. The lawyer can then peruse doctor's notes and other evidence to determine if you have a solid case.

An experienced social security disability attorney can significantly increase you odds of receiving supplemental income for your impairment.

When considering a social security disability attorney, Harrisburg residents visit Serratelli, Schiffman, & Brown, P.C. Learn more about them at http://ssbc-law.com/pt-services/social-security-law/.

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Finding the Best Workers Compensation Attorney For Your Case

Where do you begin when looking for a workers compensation attorney? First, you should search for a specific lawyer or law firm who specializes in workers compensation in your area. A lawyer who has experience dealing with workmans compensation can make the whole process much easier and less stressful.

Often the phone book route is pretty time-consuming, but you still need a lawyer for your case. Getting a referral for a good lawyer from friends and family members, especially those in legal professions or who have dealt with your type of situation themselves, will be happy to pass along their preferred attorney. Personal references, especially for something as tricky as workers compensation, are the best references you can get.

Once you find a workers compensation lawyer that fits your needs, then comes the interview process where you get to ask quick lists of questions to the potential attorney to ensure he is the right lawyer for your case. These questions will help you learn about the lawyer and how he works, and will also help you begin to understand what needs to be done to get a claim heard. Ask questions about education: did the attorney study in your area, or somewhere else? What kind of experience or previous work has he done in the past? Has he handled these kinds of cases before, or are you his first? What were the outcomes of some of his cases - how many has he won? You want an attorney who is experienced and well-versed in all aspects of workers compensation, particularly one who has worked in your area and knows the lay of the legal land.

Once education has been sufficiently vetted, ask a few questions about the process. Describe your case to the lawyer, and ask his honest opinion - does he think you have a case at all? What happens once the attorney takes your case? What kinds of forms and information will your lawyer require? Workers compensation cases are based largely on medical records, safety reports, and accident reports, so you'll need to find out which reports your attorney will need to make a solid case for your workers compensation claims. You'll find as you ask these questions that you'll quickly determine which lawyer is right for your case. Your next step will be to get to his office and start filing the paperwork. But don't worry, you'll be in good hands, as you've already assured.

It is easy to find the best Philadelphia workers compensation attorney for your case. Simply contact a Philadelphia workers compensation lawyer at the Law Offices of Oxenburg and Franzel, and get them on your side so you can win your case. Contact them today at (800)520-3992 for a free consultation.

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When Do You Need To Hire A Lawyer?

When Do You Need To Hire A Lawyer?

Why You Should Hire A Divorce Attorney Rather Than Representing Yourself

If you have decided that your marriage is no longer working, you have a few different options available to you; you can stay together with your spouse and try to make the marriage work, you can try a legal separation period to see whether this has any effect on the situation, or you can legally terminate your marriage with a divorce. In order to file for a formal divorce, you must complete necessary paperwork and submit it properly. If this is not done correctly, your divorce may not be made official, and you could accidentally implicate yourself in marital crimes, such as polygamy. Although it is possible to file for divorce without the aid of an attorney, most people prefer to use a divorce attorney for a few different reason.

The main reason to use a divorce attorney to represent your interests is because they are skilled and experienced in how divorce proceedings work in the state where they work. They will be able to draw up the necessary paperwork quickly and easily, and they will be aware of any legal subtleties which exist in your area. Some regions have slightly different divorce regulations to other areas, so you may not necessarily be able to follow step-by-step guides which you find on the internet. Because of their knowledge and experience, they will be able to complete the proceedings in as little time as possible, meaning that you can begin to move on with your life, rather than having to drag things out. Divorce attorneys also know the most common pitfalls of divorce work, and therefore they will be able to help you to avoid these issues. Having an experienced person on your side can help you to feel more confident about submitting your finalised proceedings.

If your separation of assets is not clear cut, you may also want to speak with a divorce attorney because they will be able to negotiate the best deal for you. Attorneys are skilled in the art of negotiation, so they will be able to help you to assert your claim on property which is rightfully yours. Many people who do not use a divorce attorney will regret this later on, because they will feel upset about relinquishing their claim to assets which were partly theirs.

If your partner has hired a divorce attorney to represent their interests, it is a good idea to make sure that you have one to represent yours. If you try to represent yourself against a professional with experience in the field, you are likely to lose a lot more money (and assets) than you would stand to spend on hiring your own legal professional. An opposing attorney will attempt to confuse you with legal terminology and tricky loopholes, so that you accidentally make concessions that you don't want to make. Your attorney will protect you in this respect.

If you want a smooth and successful divorce, consider hiring a divorce attorney who has had experience of dealing with divorce in your area.

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SSI and Social Security Disability Denial Help

Social Security disability laws were put in place to protect individuals who have become disabled and are therefore unable to work. The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) programs offer disabled individuals life-saving benefits and financial support when they are otherwise unable to gain a viable income due to their disability. Many Americans depend on SSI or SSDI benefits for critical help and to ensure they receive financial assistance and adequate medical care now and in the future. Unfortunately, about 70-75% of initial Social Security Disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which can be extremely frustrating for a person who has become disabled and is unable to work. More importantly though, 60-70% of initial denials are ultimately accepted after reconsideration or a hearing before an Administrative Law judge, a promising statistic which many people may be unaware of. If your initial SSI or SSDI claim has been denied, contact a Social Security benefits attorney for help.

Application Process for SSI and SSDI Benefits

The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of the various Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. Although the SSI and SSDI programs are different in many ways, they are both administered by the Social Security Administration and only applicants who meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program.

When you apply for either the SSI or SSDI program, the SS Administration will collect medical and other information from you in order to decide whether or not you meet the Social Security's definition of disability. The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs, because Social Security offers benefits only for total disability, not for partial disability or short-term disability. According to the SSA, an individual is disabled if he cannot do work that he did before, if the administration decides that he cannot adjust to other work because of his medical condition, and if his disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death. The definition of disability determined by the SSA is strict; program rules assume that working families have access to other resources for support during periods of short-term disabilities, including worker's compensation, insurance, investments and savings.

If your application has recently been denied, you can contact a SS benefits attorney and issue an appeal in order to request a review of the SSA's decision about your eligibility for disability benefits. If the application has been denied for medical reasons, you can submit the required Appeal Request and Appeal Disability Report online, which asks for updated information about your medical condition and treatment since the initial SSA decision was made. If your application was denied for non-medical reasons, you can contact your local SS Office to request a review of the SSA's decision, or call the SS Administration to request an appeal.

Major Reasons SSDI and SSI Claims are Denied

There are a number of common reasons that a judge will deny benefits for SS Disability claims. In some cases, if an applicant has filed previous applications for benefits, the judge will automatically deny the claim for SSDI benefits. Other major reasons an SSDI claim may be denied include: the disability applicant lists numerous impairments but not a main problem, the medical problem does not meet the SSA listing for that specific problem, and the applicant worked after the onset date of the condition. Regrettably, some SSDI claims are rejected simply because judges are overwhelmed by the huge influx of disability claims and benefits applications, causing them to sometimes randomly deny SSDI claims in order to save time.

There are also several different reasons why a claim for Supplemental Security Income may be denied, including: the applicant's income and resources are too high making him ineligible for benefits, the applicant cannot be located due to a change of address, or the applicant refuses to cooperate or fails to follow prescribed therapy. In addition, if the disability is based on drug addition or if the applicant is convicted of a crime or commits fraud, the claim for SSI benefits may be declined.

Hiring an SSI or SSDI Attorney for Help Following a Claim Denial

Although nearly three-quarters of initial claims for Social Security benefits are denied, it is important for applicants to remember that 60-70% of these rejected claims are ultimately accepted after a second review. Unfortunately, some applicants for SSI or SSDI aid may give up after a claim denial, under the assumption that there is nothing they can do about it. If you have submitted an SSI or SSDI claim and it has been denied by the Social Security Administration, contact a Social Security benefits attorney immediately. You may be able to request an appeal by the SSA, in which case your claim can be reconsidered and potentially approved. Having a Social Security benefits lawyer on your side when resubmitting a SSI or SSDI claim is critical, and may significantly improve your chances of success when the SSA reevaluates your case. Disabled individuals deserve to receive the assistance they require and should never have to face a denied benefits claim. With the help of a Social Security benefits lawyer, you can resubmit your claim for future and past benefits and receive the financial assistance you deserve.

For more information concerning Social Security programs, contact a Social Security Disability Attorney at the Law Firm of Ponce & Associates. This article, which is not meant to be legal advice, may be republished providing all of the resource links remain intact.

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Happy 4th of July!

Wishing You and Your Family a Very Happy and Safe 4th of July!