Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance benefits can be stressful. SSDI lawyers are present to reduce your burden. If you are not that familiar with SSDI lawyers, you might be wondering what they can do. Make sure to read the rest of the article to find out the answer to the question.
Basic of SSDI
Social Security Disability Insurance, which is also more known as SSDI, SSD, or just Disability in short, is the name of the program created by the United States government managed by the Social Security Administration. This one makes it possible for everyone with a disability and has enough work history that stops or limits their ability to work to earn monthly payments. Apart from that, they can also get Medicare. The amount of the payment that these people can get may vary, depending on their work history before their disability started.
Talking about Social Security Disability Insurance or SSDI, it should be noted that it is not the same as Supplemental Security Income or SSI. What set them apart is that the payment of SSDI is based on the work history of these disability people and is considered as an insurance benefit without reference to other income or assets, while SSI is intended for disabled people, including children, adults, and elderly, who have income and resources but they are below administratively mandated thresholds.
Reasons Why You Need to Hire a SSDI Lawyer
While the Social Security Administration or SSA does not require you to have a professional to represent you, you are recommended to hire a SSDI lawyer if you want to increase the chance of winning the case. It has been proven that the chances of winning this program are three times higher if a SSDI lawyer is involved.
Read also: Do I Need a Lawyer to File for SSI Disability?
Things That a SSDI Lawyer Do
There are a lot of things that a SSDI lawyer do, including:
1. Assessing your case
At the beginning of the case, your lawyer will do a few things, such as letting you know about your chances of winning, advising you to improve your chances of winning, and explaining about the process.
2. Helping you to submit your application
Someone who wants to get the benefits of SSDI has to fill out an application that proves that it is unlikely for them to work and need financial assistance. That individual can win the case if they manage to convince the SSA and it is not an easy job. To help the applicant and to increase the chances of winning, a SSDI lawyer needs to be hired.
3. Getting medical records
In order to get the benefits, it will be needed for you to prove that you are no longer able to work due to a medical condition. The evidence that you must show should be from the medical experts. However, there is nothing to worry about as the lawyer will help you for this matter.
4. Helping you with the appeals process
In some cases, the SSA may ask the applicant to provide them more information even though they have submitted the application. In this case, they only have less than 10 days to complete the request. If the application is denied, the applicant has 60 days to appeal. The good news is that the lawyer knows everything and they will be able to do these things without any issue.
5. Being your representative at a hearing
Apparently, your case will go to a hearing if your claim is defined by the Social Security Administration or SSA after you appeal it. It is before an administrative law judge. During the hearing, they will determine if it is really needed for you to receive financial assistance by asking you several questions. In order to answer these questions well, your SSDI lawyer will help you prepare and practice.
On the day of the hearing, your lawyer will come to represent you and your case. It is possible for the witnesses that may be brought by the judge to testify that you can work well, even with your disability. If this happens, your lawyer will do anything to help you win the case.
6. Taking care of post-hearing filings and appeals
In case your claim is denied by the judge, your SSDI lawyer may bring your case to the federal appeals court. Actually, it is not always the case. Aside from that, they may also advise a legal team that is able to do that.
Things that a SSDI Lawyers Can Do and You Can’t
One of the reasons why you should hire an SSDI lawyer is because there are several things that you cannot do and they can, such as:
1. Accessing the Electronic Records Express of the Social Security Administration
One of the privileges of lawyers is having access to the Electronic Records Express or ERE of Social Security Administration or SSA. The information that they can access include every single information on the case of the applicant, such as the Work History Report and medical records. By having a lawyer on their side, the applicant will not have to contact the SSA every time they want to confirm receipt of documents and know the newest information.
2. Writing on the record briefs
Your application can be supported by supplementary documents provided by the SSDI lawyer. One of the documents in question is an on-the-road brief. In this document, your medical records will be written. By providing this, it is possible for your benefits to be granted even without a hearing.
3. Having knowledge about Social Security codes and GRID rules
GRID rules are the rules used by the Social Security Administration to categorize medical conditions and vocational abilities. They are not the same ones as how medical providers classify conditions. A SSDI lawyer surely has knowledge about the questions that can be asked to medical providers and applicants.
4. Keeping the representatives of SSA honest
It is possible for the representatives from the SSA to make mistakes. In this case, the lawyer will be the one that warns them. They will try their best to fix it so that the process can go smoothly without any obstacles.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, a SSDI lawyer does a lot of things, including accessing your case, helping you with your application, obtaining medical records, helping you with the appeals process, representing you at a hearing, and taking care of post-hearing filings and appeals. As applying for SSDI can be challenging, it is better for you to seek help from a SSDI lawyer to increase your chances of success and to help you with everything.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
