DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

By Charles W. Forsythe (The Forsythe Firm), Huntsville, AL Having practiced almost 30 years in the field of Social Security disability (SSDI),  I've learned a few things about the rules, the process and the disappointments.  I'm answering many common questions about this subject.  However, this post is for general information, not legal advice.  Never act upon an internet post, including this one, without speaking to your own legal professional.  This post does not take the place of your lawyer. QUESTION # 1.  How long does it take to get disability benefits in Alabama? Each case is different, so there is no set time frame. But the average waiting time to get the initial decision on a disability application in Alabama is 230 days.   QUESTION # 2:  What percentage of SSDI claims get approved in the first step?   Social Security approves only about 23 percent of claims at the application level. Denials are very common, even if you mee...

Social  Security continues to deny 83 percent of disability applications, usually citing lack of medical evidence, or claim that the applicant can perform "some other work." The first appeal, "Reconsideration," has a losing ratio of 89 percent.  The rate of approval at Social Security hearings, however, is 55 percent.  Failure to appeal is almost always a defeat. The Forsythe Firm, Huntsville, continues to succeed at getting disability cases approved and paid at the appeal level.  Past due benefits back to the original date of disability onset, are usually paid--often amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. Charles W. Forsythe has helped thousands of claimants get approved for Social Security disability benefits over the last 24 years. It's their area of specialty and they KNOW Social Security law. "What many people don't understand," Forsythe said, "is that very few claims get approved without appeals.  In fact, the Social Security hearing...

  Alabama and Tennessee lawyers for Social Security disability benefits.  We handled the very detailed and  complex appeals process to help you win Social Security disability in Tennessee and Alabama.  Free consultations, and we never charge a fee until you have been approved and paid past due benefits.  No win / no fee.   WE ALL OF ALABAMA, INCLUDING CITIES LIKE Athens Huntsville Decatur Montgomery Mobile Florence Ardmore Fairhope Albertville Guntersville Birmingham   Cullman.............. and many others--all over Alabama WE SERVE ALL OF TENNESSEE, INCLUDING CITIES LIKE Nashville Knoxville Marysville Columbia Spring Hill Fayetteville Clarksville .......and many others ---- all over Tennessee  Do you have to travel to our office? No.  We can handle all your issues by phone, fax or email.  No inconvenience for you. Is there any fees or costs upfront? Absolutely not.  Our fee is paid from your past due benefits AFTER you are paid. W...

  If you are below your Full Retirement Age (FRA), which is around 67 for most people, you may be eligible for thousands of dollars per month in Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. Here's what's required: A medical/mental condition that has or will keep you off work for 12+ months. You are not currently working at "Substantial Gainful Activity" (earning wages of at least $1,690 per month). You have worked a job that deducted FICA (Social Security) for at least 5 years out the past 10 years. You have medical records to prove you cannot work a full time job:  defined by Social Security as 5 days per week 8 hours per day On a regular and continual basis  You need to file for your SSDI benefit BEFORE you reach Full Retirement Age.  Once you reach your FRA you cannot file for additional disability benefits.   What if You Are Age 62 and Eligible for SSA Early Retirement? Early Social Security retirement pensions are available starting as early as age...

  SOCIAL SECURITY'S HIDDEN SECRET?  8 out of 10 of their decisions on disability cases are errors.  Your denial of disability benefits is probably wrong.  You don't have to accept it. Here is the short solution to a disability denial: Appeal within 60 days. If you lose the first appeal ("Reconsideration"), appeal again and take the case before a federal Administrative Law Judge. According to nationwide averages, Administrative Law Judges pay around 55 percent of all appeals that reach them. Some lawyers win up to 80 percent of the appeals they represent at the hearing level. One of the lawyer's free services is to evaluate your case to see whether it should be appealed. (In most cases, it should). It is a mistake to accept Social Security's first denial and quit. There is a very, very small chance of being approved in the initial application level. There is only a 15 percent chance of being approved in the "Reconsideration" appeal (your first ...

  Social Security Administration (SSA) "Grid Rules" for those over 50 make it easier to qualify for disability by recognizing older workers struggle to adjust to new jobs, especially with limited education or skills; rules vary by age bracket (50-54 vs. 55+), finding someone disabled if they can't do past work, have limited capacity (e.g., limited to Sedentary work), and lack transferable skills. Grid rules have greater allowances for claimants 55+. These rules use age, education, work history, and Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) to assess if you can do other jobs, making older claimants (50+) more likely to win benefits than younger ones with similar limitations. To effectively use Grid Rules to win Social Security disability, the claimant must: 1. Clearly define and describe past work (within 5 years), explaining the standing, walking and maximum lifting required of each past job. This helps Social Security determine the Exertion Level of your past relevant work: ...