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Showing posts from May, 2023

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO FOR AN SSDI APPEAL

If you are denied for Social Security disability, it is important to file an appeal--and do it within the allowed time limit of 60 days. Here are other things you should do in your appeal: 1.  File a written appeal using the proper forms--available from your Social Security office.  Phone calls are NOT appeals. 2.  Update all your medical information.  Provide names/address/phone for all doctors, clinics, psychologists, hospitals or other medical providers. 3.  Complete the form "Disability Report - Appeal."  This can be online (www.socialsecrity.gov) or on paper. 4.  Explain all your functional limitations and symptoms on the Disability Report.  What keeps you from working:  pain, fatigue, inability to sit, stand, walk?  Be as specific as possible. For example: "After I sit for 30 minutes my legs go numb." 4. Try to get your doctor to complete a form called "Residual Function Capacity (RFC) and provide it to Social Security. 5.   R...

5 POSSIBLE STEPS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIM

 There are 5 possible stages in the life of a Social Security disability claim, depending on how far in the process you must go. 1.  Initial Application - 27 percent approval 2.  Reconsideration - 12 percent approval 3.  Hearing - 51 percent approval (with representation) 4.  Appeals Council - 2 percent approval (with 10 percent remanded) 5.  Federal District Court (Around 1 percent approval, some others remanded) *A case is remanded when it is sent back to the original administrative law for review or possibly another hearing.  A remand may result in another denial by the judge. The Social Security disability process is now mostly handled by lawyers or professional advocates.  A study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) finds that claimants with lawyers win 60 percent of the time, but claimants without representation only win about 30 percent of the time. _______________________ The Forsythe Firm represents disabled individuals who have...

SCAMS THAT STEAL MILLIONS $$$ FROM SENIORS

The modern world is full of scams.  They're always inventing new ones.  Many of these scams are aimed at robbing senior citizens of their savings.  Here are a few.  If you get one of these in your email, beware.  It's a scam. It's always a scam! Fed-Ex or UPS (not really):  "Final notice.  We have tried to deliver your package but we have incomplete information....please call....)  Always a scam.  These notices are NOT really from Fed Ex or UPS or any legitimate carrier. "(Name of Department Store) - A charge was made on your debit card for $860.  If you didn't make this purchase, call (800) xxx-xxxx. "Your insurance settlement has arrived.  A check of $240,000 has been issued.  We just need to verify a little information..." "You have won $100,000 in the lottery. Before we mail your check, you need to call and claim your winnings (and verify some information)...." "I am Mrs. ________ and I'm the executor of the late Mr. ______...

HOW TO get SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

How to Get Social Security Disability Benefits   1 .  Make sure your application is complete.  It takes hours to complete a good SSDI application.  Most applications that I review are inadequate.  Too many blank lines. 2.  Provide full contact information for all your doctors, clinics, ERs, therapists or other treatment providers.  Social Security only gets the records you tell them about. 3.  Keep a record of all medical appointments AFTER you apply and make Social Security aware of them.  Update Social Security. They only get the records you ask them to get!  If you don't tell them about new medical appointments, they don't know. 4.  Continue to see your doctor(s) regularly. 5.  Return all forms sent to you promptly--and be sure they are done right. 6.  Correctly state your ability to function on the Function Report.  State how you are restricted or limited in your daily activities. 7.  Follow up with Disabili...

HOW LIKELY ARE YOU TO WIN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CLAIM?

Social Security disability claims begin with a very low chance of approval.  Then, as the progress through the appeals system, the chance of an award gradually improve.  Here are the average award rate for each level: APPLICATION               RECONSIDERATION           HEARING 28 Percent                      18 Percent                                   54 Percent The hearing is the 3rd attempt to get your claim approved.  And it represents by far your best chance. If your application is denied, it is even more likely to be denied again at "Reconsideration."  Getting the case before a US Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) is then the most important thing that can done. The claimant and his/her attorney will meet with the ALJ and present or...

DO YOU NEED AN ATTORNEY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITYI?

  There are really 2 questions to be asked and answered. One, are you required to have an attorney for Social Security disability cases? Two, do you need an attorney for Social Security disability cases? As to the first question, you are not required to have representation for Social Security.  You may choose to represent yourself. But, do you need  professional representation? There's some pretty convincing objective evidence that you may need an attorney or non-attorney advocate when dealing with the Social Security Administration. A 2017 study by the Government Accounting Office (GAO) found that claimants with professional represented were 3 times more likely to be approved than claimants who were unrepresented.  Many claimants choose to file the initial application for benefits themselves.  Statistics show that about 70 percent all applications will be denied.  Before entering the complex appeals process, most claimants will choose professional repres...