Charleston Social Security Disability Appeal

If your initial request for disability benefits has been denied, you are not alone. The majority of applications for assistance are denied at first. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration offers an appeals process to allow applicants to make a second request. About 60% of applicants receive the benefits they need after the first appeal.

The Charleston disability attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm are here to help you make a convincing appeal to claim the benefits you deserve.

How to Appeal the Social Security Administration

After you have received the SSA’s decision, you have 60 days to file an appeal. It is important to start the process early, as gathering all of the information you need may take some time. Requests for appeals can be denied by the Appeals Council if they decide that the judge’s initial decision was correct. To minimize the risk of this happening, contact a Charleston social security attorney before filing for an appeal.

After you file for an appeal, the SSA may review your information and overturn the first judge’s decision without requiring your presence in court. It is also possible that you will need to attend a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You are not required to have legal representation at this hearing, but it is strongly recommended.

What Will Happen at the Hearing

At the hearing, you and your attorney will have the opportunity to provide further evidence about the extent of your disability and the way it affects your life. The evidence you provide may be:

• Medical documents
• Testimony from health care professionals
• Surveys from you and your acquaintances about your abilities

After considering all of the evidence, the judge will make his decision. You will not be given the decision at the hearing; copies of it will be mailed to you and your attorney.

We Can Help

An experienced attorney can make the difference between winning and losing a social security appeals hearing. To speak with an experienced Charleston social security attorney, contact the Steinberg Law Firm at 843-720-2800.