DISABILITY SURVIVAL GUIDE: NORTH ALABAMA EDITION

According to a recent survey, here are common complaints about disability lawyers: . Lack of Personal Communication and "Ghosting" Never Meeting the Attorney: Clients often complain that they never meet their attorney until the day of their hearing. Poor Communication: Many report not being able to reach their attorney or legal team to get updates on their cases, leading to anxiety. High Turnover/Case Managers: Clients often talk to assistants or case managers, not the lawyer they hired, especially at large "TV" law firms.    They just won't return my calls. One client of a large law firm said, "I've been trying to contact my lawyer for the last 5 months. They just won't call me back." At The Forsythe Firm we believe that "the greatest ability is AVAILABILITY." We don't operate as a "wholesale law firm," where you take thousands of cases, invest as little time in each as possible, and hope a percentage of them are suc...

What are clients' biggest complaints about Social Security disability lawyers? THEY WON'T TALK TO ME. THEY WON'T CALL ME BACK. I KEEP GETTING HANDED OFF TO AIDES AND SECRETARIES. Looking for a Social Security lawyer that will actually TALK to you?  One that will personally take charge of your claim or appeal? One that will stay with your case from start to finish--all the way to a judge, if necessary? One that will give you his personal cell phone number? (Really, I'm not kidding)! One with 25 years of Social Securit y disability experience? A lawyer with 5-star reviews by clients. A lawyer rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau. I'm Charles W. Forsythe, founder of The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL. I do nothing but Social Security disability advocacy and I've done it for almost 25 years. If you call me, you get me.  If you hire me, you get me--start to finish.  I won't hand you off to someone else. If you call and don't reach me, I WILL call you back ...

Looking for  a Social Security disability specialist to handle your denied claim?  Need an expert to handle an SSDI appeal or hearing?  Make a free call and get a free consultation over the phone. Contact: Charles W. Forsythe at The Forsythe Firm Phone (256) 799-0297 Absolutely free consultations with no pressure, no obligation Quick, personal attention No fee unless you win your case AND recover past due benefits Get a representative who speaks to you and RETURNS YOUR CALLS. The Forsythe Firm has an excellent reputation and very high success rate.   25 years of Social Security disability experience We have successfully represented Social Security disability appeals and hearings in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, New York, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama and many other states. When you call The Forsythe Firm you will speak to a member of our professional legal staff, not a secretary, receptionist or legal aide.  You will get personalized representation where you wil...

We hear people speak of permanent disability, partial disability and short term disability when speaking of Social Security disability benefits. Interestingly enough, the Social Security Administration doesn't use any of those terms.  And they are not found in the Social Security regulations. A disability does not have to be "permanent" to receive SSDI benefit payments.  In fact, Social Security never uses that term.  A medical or mental condition can qualify for SSDI if it lasts for a period of at least 12 consecutive months and makes the claimant unable to perform Substantial Gainful Activity--which in 2026 is defined as earning wages of at least $1,690 per month. Social Security does not offer any benefit for "partial disability."  Again, they don't use that term.  It is not possible to get a partial benefit or a percentage of disability.  With Social Security it is all or none:  a claimant is either disabled or not disabled.  There's no in bet...

  How many times have you heard this question asked:  "Does (condition) qualify for Social Security disability benefits?"   You may fill in the disease or condition.  And, no mat ter what the condition, is, the answer depends on the following? 1.  Have your earned sufficient work credits to be covered for Social Security Disability (SSDI)?  The answer must be yes. 2.  Do you have a medically determinable severe illness or condition (diagnosed by a doctor)?  The answer must be yes. 3.  Has or will the condition cause you to be out of work for at least 12 straight months, OR end in death within 1 year?  The answer must be yes to one question. Almost ANY condition might qualify for SSDI benefits if the 3 conditions above are met.   Reasons Most SSDI Claims Get Denied 1.  The medical condition is not severe enough to prevent the claimant being able to work for a period of at least 12 straight months. 2.  The claimant does...

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...