SSD claims process
Orlando SSD Claims Process Attorney explains the process for obtaining social security disability
If you are disabled and can’t work due to your disability, you may be entitled to disability benefits such as monthly income payments and medical insurance from Social Security. Sadly, the process involved in applying for benefits can seem to drag on forever, with no guarantee that you’ll get your benefits in the end. The process may seem frustrating and discouraging, but you should know that the longer you stick with the process, the more likely you are to be ultimately successful.
These benefits are extremely important to people in need. In Maitland and Orlando, disability attorney Shea Fugate works diligently to help ensure that people who are eligible for social security disability (SSD) get the benefits they need and, quite frankly, are entitled to under the law. Learn more below about the process for obtaining SSD, and contact the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. for help from an experienced and successful Orlando SSD Claims Process Attorney.
appling for SSD benefits with the help of an orlando sSD claims process attorney
The Social Security Administration (SSA) makes it fairly easy to apply for SSD benefits. You can apply online, in an interview over the phone or by making an appointment at your local SSA field office. The Orlando office is located at 5520 Gatlin Ave, just off FL 436/Semoran Blvd. They are open from 9:00-4:00 Monday through Friday, except for Wednesday, when they close at noon.
After submitting your application, expect it to take four or five months before you hear back with a decision. During that period, SSA may make multiple requests for your medical records or require you to submit to one or more physical exams. This part of the process can be key, and bringing in an Orlando SSD Claims Process Attorney for advice can help.
If your application is approved, congratulations. You are one of the few who got accepted without having to request a hearing. If your application is denied, don’t worry. Call the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. in Orlando at 407-539-0123 to book a free consultation with Attorney Shea Fugate.
request for reconsideration with the help of an orlando SSD claims Process Attorney
You can ask the SSA to reconsider your application if they initially deny it. This step is a complete review with a completely new reviewer. Be aware that because this is a new review, the second reviewer may view parts of your application less favorably than the last reviewer did. If you have new evidence or evidence you did not include in your original application, you can include it here. This is also a good time to get legal help from an experienced disability lawyer who can look over your original application and documentation and address any issued identified in the initial denial.
Your attorney can also advise you on whether it is better strategically to request reconsideration or go straight to a hearing in your particular case. Some applicants are successful at this stage, but most get turned down again and need to request a hearing. Stick with the process; statistics show that applicants stand a much better chance of getting approved at the hearing stage. Why is this? Most likely, it is because people who have tried to go through the process on their own so far realize they need the help of an experienced lawyer to represent them in a hearing. Once you have an Orlando SSD Claims Process Attorney on board, your odds of success greatly increase.
request a hearing with the help of an orlando SSD claims process attorney
A hearing must be requested within 65 days of a denial, so don’t waste any time contacting an attorney to help you. Missing this deadline can mean the end of your case. When you request a hearing, the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) will appoint an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to hear your case. A hearing typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes and may or may not involve calling any witnesses. At the hearing, your attorney will ask you questions about your conditions and past work, so that the judge has an accurate picture of your medical condition. Your attorney will also make legal arguments on your behalf.
The ALJ will decide whether you are disabled or not disabled for purposes of SSD usually within a month or two after the hearing. As before, the SSA may have you undergo a medical evaluation as part of the process. This exam is paid for by the SSA. It is not for the purpose of treating you but only to prepare a report for ODAR to use in making their decision.
Unfortunately, it can take over a year to get this hearing scheduled due to the large number of applications rejected and the heavy caseload of people requesting a hearing. If you have an emergency, for instance if you received a notice of eviction or foreclosure or if your condition is terminal, let us know and we’ll do what we can to expedite your hearing.
appeals counsel reviews
If you are unsuccessful at the ALJ hearing, you can appeal your case to the Social Security Appeals Council in Falls Church, Virginia. You have 60 days to decide whether to appeal or not. The appeals council may accept your case, decline to review it, or send it back to the ALJ. It may take a year to get a decision from the appeals council, but you should continue getting medical treatment during this time if under a doctor’s care. The appeals council can redecide issues which were previously favorable to you, so it’s crucial to have a skilled Orlando SSD Claims Process Attorney put together a thorough and well-supported case for your appeal.
file suit in federal district court with the help of an orlando SSD claims process attorney
If the appeals council decides not to review your case, or if they take your appeal and render an unfavorable decision, you have 60 days to decide whether to file suit for judicial review in federal court. In Maitland and Orlando, this case would be heard in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Filing a lawsuit in federal court may seem like a drastic step, but it is just one more step in the process to help you get your benefits. Not all disability law attorneys go this far, but Shea Fugate is particularly experienced in federal court appeals of disability denials. Attorney Shea is comfortable in the courtroom and committed to staying with your case for as long as it makes sense to continue pursuing appeals.
help with social security disability benefits in maitland and orlando
No matter where you are in the SSD claim process, we can step in with helpful, strategic advice and excellent representation to get your benefits as soon as possible. In Maitland and Orlando, contact the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. for a free consultation with a dedicated and successful Orlando SSD claims process attorney. Book a free consultation at 407-539-0123 or fill out this form, and she will contact you soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About SSD claims process in orlando
Ans: To qualify for SSD benefits in Orlando, your medical condition must meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability; usually, severe long-term conditions that impede working are eligible. Reach out to a qualified Orlando SSD claims process attorney today.
Ans: Starting an SSD claim in Orlando can be accomplished in various ways; you can file online at the Social Security Administration’s website, over the phone with them directly, or visit an office directly. It is vital to have an Orlando SSD claims process attorney to always guide and advise during this process.
Ans: Timeframe can vary; typically, several months will pass from the initial submission of your claim until receiving an answer or having it denied and appealed. Be sure to speak to an Orlando SSD claims process attorney
Ans: Approval rates differ. Hiring an experienced Orlando SSD claims process attorney will likely increase your odds, helping ensure your application is thorough and supported with medical evidence.
Ans: Receiving medical care and gathering all relevant records are extremely important in successfully presenting your SSD benefits claim. A competent Orlando SSD claims process attorney will help prepare you for what questions may be asked of them and present it effectively to a judge.
Ans: There are specific guidelines about working while receiving SSD benefits. You are only permitted limited work, and your earnings must not surpass a set threshold; an Orlando SSD claims process attorney can offer more tailored advice based on your situation.
Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A. 1800 Pembrook Dr Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32810 407-539-0123