You have the right to appeal a disability denial. Representation by a lawyer has been shown to greatly improve your opportunity to win at a disability hearing. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers can represent you during your appeal. Fill out the form to get started!
After determining a decision on your initial claim, the SSA will send you a letter explaining their decision. Outlined in the letter will be instructions on how to appeal your claim within 60 days.
Don't let any more time slip away. For assistance in appealing your Social Security disability denial fill out the form for a FREE case evaluation. The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers has over twenty offices with Social Security disability lawyers eager to help you win the benefits you deserve!
The SSA uses a five-step process to decide whether an individual qualifies for disability benefits. Under SSA guidelines, "Disability" is defined and based on an individual's inability to work. Step One of the process is learning whether or not you are working. If you're working and your earnings average more than $1,000 a month, you generally will not be considered disabled. If you are not working or your monthly earnings average the current amount or less, the SSA then looks at Step Two, your medical condition.
To be determined eligible for disability your medical condition must significantly limit your ability to do basic work activities such as walking, sitting and/or remembering. If your condition is considered to not be severe, you will not be considered disabled. If your condition is considered severe the SSA will proceed to Step Three, to see if your condition is on the "List of Impairments." If listed, you are automatically defined as disabled and approved for benefits. If not, the SSA will compare your condition with one from the list. If it is found not to be as severe, the SSA moves on to Step Four to determine if you can do the work that you did before.
To determine whether you can do the work that you did before, the SSA reviews the work that you've done in the last 15 years that involved significant and productive physical or mental activities. They compare how you did the work and how the work is generally done across the U.S. against your current capacity to work. If they determine that you can do the work as you did before or as it is done in the nationally, you will not be approved. If they determine you cannot do the work, they move to Step Five to see if you would be able to participate in another type of job.
To determine if you are able to do another job, the SSA evaluates your medical condition, age, education, past work experience and any skills you may have that could be used to do other work. If you are unable to do other work based on these factors, you will be considered disabled.
Be the deciding factor in your case! Fill out the form to request a FREE case evaluation and assistance in appealing your claim. You have the right to appeal and the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers wants to help by providing Social Security disability lawyers who have experience in overturning SSA denials. Just because the SSA determined that you did not meet the criteria listed above does not mean that you are permanently denied. Contact us today!