Why an attorney should be at the side of any disability applicant

March 15, 2013 (Press-News.org) Why an attorney should be at the side of any disability applicant

Article provided by Reyes & Reyes Law Firm, PLLC
Visit us at http://www.reyesandreyesaustin.com

No matter if you are seeking benefits through a state agency or from the federal Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs, the application process can be tedious, time-consuming and confusing. There are miles of proverbial red tape to wade through, myriad medical records that need to be compiled, exacting diagnosis criteria that must be proven and numerous forms that must be precisely filled out. Even after going through all that work, there is still only a 50/50 chance that benefits will be awarded, and an award of benefits can take months, or even years.

Having an attorney go through the application process with you is not a guarantee that benefits will be awarded, but statistically, people who have legal counsel at the application stage do have a higher chance of having their application for benefits approved. An attorney is an invaluable asset at any stage of a benefits application, from the initial submission all the way through final appeals, but having an attorney by your side early on can shorten the length of benefits determinations, can save you headaches and can help resolve your financial woes sooner.

How an attorney can help

Why is it that an attorney can make a difference? In a word: precision. Disability benefits applications must be filled out in an exacting manner, or they will not be granted. State- and federal-level benefit applications are full of minutiae and nuances, all of which must be satisfied before a benefit determination will be made. Forgetting just one seemingly innocuous detail can literally result in a delay of several months, or can even cause an application to be denied, sending the application down a lengthy appeals path.

Disability benefits attorneys have in-depth knowledge not only of the types of disabilities that are recognized by the federal Social Security Administration as eligible for benefits, they also know what type of benefits would be the best fit for each person's unique financial situation, medical history and previous employment record. Having someone well-versed in the relevant laws and procedures help you from the beginning will increase the chances that the application will be properly filled out and has sufficient medical evidentiary documentation attached to satisfy the requirements necessary to receive benefits.

Your disability benefits application

If you or a loved one is in the process of applying for benefits, is considering an application, or is interested in appealing a denial of benefits, consider speaking with an experienced social security disability benefits attorney in your area. Many of them offer free consultations, and their assistance can make a huge difference in the effective preparation of your application.