It's common for many Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claimants to end up with a denial in the mail after waiting months for an answer. The Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn't make it easy for those unable to work at their job because of medical conditions to gain the benefits they deserve. When the denial comes, the actions claimants take can make or break their ability to get the benefits they need. Read on so that you will make the right choices after a denial.
Should You File Again?
It's easy for some claimants to think that they should begin again and file another application with the SSA. However, this is not the right action to take. As you might already know, the SSA takes an exceptionally long time to process applications for benefits. It's common to wait many, many months to hear back from the SSA after an application has been submitted. If you submit a new application after a denial, you will have to wait at least as long as you did the first time or maybe even longer.
Not only are applicants wasting time by filing a new application, but their efforts might be for nothing. The SSA tracks applications by the Social Security number of the applicant and that means they will be aware of the previous application. SSA caseworkers may view an applicant with a history of denied claims as a repeat filer that has once again failed to rectify the reason for the original denial. However, that does not mean that there is nothing you can do after your claim is denied.
File the Appeal
Denied claims come with a letter that should detail the reason for the denial. Also on the letter, though, is some essential information about the appeal deadline. Applicants must file the appeal paperwork within a brief period to qualify for the hearing. At the appeal hearing, you will have the opportunity to fight for your benefits in person in front of an appeal hearing officer or an administrative law judge.
Don't go to appeal alone, though. Speak to a Social Security lawyer and let them help you prepare to defend your need for benefits. The lawyer can stand by your side and speak on your behalf to explain why the original decision was not correct and have it overturned. Speak to a disability attorney near you to find out more.
Share17 May 2022
There are so many legal situations that you can find yourself involved with, but do those situations really require that you hire an attorney? Some instances you may not need an attorney working with you, but in other situations, an attorney is definitely a necessity. This blog contains tips and advice for working through the different elements of the legal system. You will find information that can help you determine if/when you need to hire an attorney to represent your best interests. Knowing this information can help you avoid the costly mistake of taking on the legal system without someone who knows how the system works.
