Disability Benefits Attorney
When you are injured or told you have a disability, you may be extremely stressed and terrified about this experience. You’ll probably be concerned about how you’ll support yourself and your family, especially if your condition prohibits you from working.
Some of these concerns can be alleviated by applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Unfortunately, even if you are eligible for disability payments, there is a real risk that your application will be denied.
You or a loved one may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits if you or a loved one is suffering a crisis as a result of a long-term injury or disability. You can work to acquire the benefits you need to support yourself and your family with the help of the Iowa disability benefits lawyers at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling. Schedule a free case evaluation today with our law firm to discuss your disability case.
Why You Need a Disability Benefits Attorney
A disability lawyer can help answer your questions, sort through paperwork, and pursue your benefits if you need to file a Social Security Disability (SSD) claim or if your claim is denied. An expert SSD lawyer can assist their clients with the initial application process. In administrative hearings and appeals, they can also fight to safeguard their clients’ rights. It can be a difficult and time-consuming process to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Approximately 70% of applications are originally denied.
The good news is that around half of these are approved during the appeals process’ administrative hearing. Getting a hearing scheduled, on the other hand, can take a long time. Having a social security benefits lawyer guide you through the claims process can help you succeed.
How to File an SSD Claim?
Social Security Administration (SSA) offers an online disability application you can complete at your convenience online or in person. First, before you file for benefits, you need to review the adult disability checklist. This will help you gather any necessary documentation and information before filing a claim. Once you have done this, you can complete the Disability Benefit Application and the Medical Release Form.
In order to file a disability benefits application, you should gather the following information before beginning the claims process:
- Date of Birth
- Place of Birth
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Your Spouse’s name, date of birth, and age
- Information on any previous spouses
- Date and place of marriage
- Date of divorce (if applicable)
- Names and dates of any children that are minors under the age of 18
- Banking information (routing number and account number)
In addition to the information above, the social security administration will also want information regarding your medical condition. You will need to provide detailed information of all medical illnesses, any injuries you have sustained, and any other medical conditions. To detail this information, you should have the following details:
- Treatment type and date of treatments
- Patient ID number
- Name, address, and phone number of any doctors, hospital, and clinics
- Medications and who prescribed them
- Medical tests and procedures that have been conducted and when
You will also need to provide information regarding your work status and report any work earnings for the last two years (this year and last). They will need your employment information and a copy of your social security statement. Additionally, you need to provide a list of all jobs you have held within the last 15 years (a maximum of 5 listed).
Finally, if you have received workers’ compensation, black lung, or other benefits, you need to provide this information, when the benefits started, and the end date (if applicable).
Qualifying Factors for Social Security Benefits
Many social security benefits applications are denied. Most of the time, this is due to an error on the application or missing information. However, sometimes claims are denied because you do not meet the standards to gain social security benefits.
For a claimant to qualify for social security benefits, they must:
- Have a condition that is listed and covered by
Social Security - Be unable to work within their industry and past industries
- Be unable to work a less straining job than your current one
- Not earning more than the substantial gainful activity level (SGA)
- Be insured—this requires that the applicant be working and paying taxes into the system for 5 of the 10 years preceding your inability to work
An attorney can work with you to prepare an initial application and ensure that you meet the qualifying factor to receive benefits under Social Security Disability (SSD). This will not always ensure that your claim is accepted. However, you will have a better chance. You should not worry if your claim has been denied because you will be able to file an appeal, which is more likely to go through than the original claim.
What to Do If Your Claim Has Been Denied?
Claims are declined for a variety of reasons. You will have the ability to appeal your decision and improve your claim if you are denied.
Do not be alarmed if you have applied for Social Security Disability payments and have received a negative response. You have the right to appeal a Social Security disability denial. The SSDI and SSI application processes include a lengthy review and appeals procedure, so with the assistance of a Social Security Disability lawyer or advocate, you have a strong chance of receiving the payments you are entitled to.
Applications that aren’t well-developed face a serious danger of being rejected at any point in the process. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications, SSD reviewers frequently incorrectly dismiss Social Security Disability applications outright, especially if they are incomplete, carelessly filled out, or simply lack the medical proof required to indicate total disability or inability to work.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorneys at Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling
The Des Moines Social Security Disability attorneys at the law offices of Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling are committed to recovering full benefits for you. Create an attorney-client relationship with us after a free initial consultation.
We are well-versed in disability law and related personal injury laws. Let our Iowa Social Security Disability lawyers help you today. We can provide you with the proper legal advice to have a successful claim. You can reach us online or by phone at (515) 444-4000 Our law firm is located in Des Moines, IA.