Filing for Social Security Disability Benefits
At Binder & Binder®, the most common questions we receive nearly all involve how to file for Social Security Disability benefits. Even if you've done some research online, the process can be incredibly confusing. Most attorneys aren't familiar with SSD requirements, and the process can wildly vary depending on your age, disability, or even the person who reviews your claim. You need a specialist.
While there are many different ways you can file for Social Security Disability, your general course of action will look something like this:
- Initial filing of your claim: You can use a Disability Specialist like Binder and Binder or file your claim in person at the Social Security office or online. (There are some restrictions on who can file for Social Security Disability online.)
- Reconsideration: Most claimants are turned down the first time they file, in which case reconsideration must be filed. Reconsideration is a complete review of the claim by someone other than the person who made the original decision. The request for reconsideration must be made in writing within 60 days of the date the initial decision was made.
- Hearing before the Administrative Law Judge: If you are denied at reconsideration, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) will conduct a hearing at which you will present your case in person.
- The Appeals Council: If your case is denied before the ALJ, you must appeal the case to the Appeals Council (a review board within the Social Security Administration), which may issue its own decision, send the case back to the ALJ for another hearing, or allow the ALJ's decision to stand.
The process of filing for Social Security Disability takes a lot of time and effort - something you may not have in your condition. However, statistics show that claimants who are represented by Binder & Binder® win their cases far more often than those who apply on their own. At Binder & Binder® we will file your claim carefully and professionally. Whether you have already been denied or are starting from the beginning we will aggressively pursue your Social Security Disability appeal. As Charles Binder always says, "We'll deal with the government. You have enough to worry about."
To learn more about filing for Social Security Disability, call us at 1-800-66-BINDER or complete our online contact form.
