Social Security Disability Attorney in Brooklyn

Social Security Disability attorneys in Brooklyn can help you get the benefits you need and deserve to cope with a certain disability or illness that makes it impossible or difficult for you to earn a living. But before contacting these attorneys, you need to understand precisely how they might be able to help. So here's everything you need to know about hiring Brooklyn Social Security Disability lawyers, specifically from Morgan & Morgan. 

Why Do You Need a Social Security Disability Attorney?

Picture this: you've worked for years and paid thousands of dollars into the Social Security program. Unfortunately, you suffer from a life-changing illness or disability that makes it impossible or very difficult for you to pay your bills like you used to. In that case, the government, through the Social Security program, could be your only hope. But that's not how things work most of the time. 

There's always a possibility that the government will deny your initial application. This happens all the time and to thousands of applications every day. Most people don't realize that they may be entitled to social security disability benefits if they can't work due to a serious medical condition that's lasted or is expected to last at least one year, or result in death. So if you're in such a situation and have been paying into the social security program, you may be eligible for benefits. 

But according to statistics from the Social Security Administration, it's easier to be denied disability benefits than accepted. Statistics show that there's always a 65 percent chance that the initial application will be denied. That's the whole point of working with an attorney. 

How a Social Security Disability Attorney Can Help

There are many different ways a Social Security Disability attorney can help with your application. Let's discuss some of the most common. 

Filing Important Paperwork

The process of filing for Social Security disability benefits involves complex paperwork. In fact, one of the many reasons such applications get denied is due to failure to file the correct paperwork, leaving out essential information, and so on. But some of these mistakes are difficult to avoid. The fact that you need social security disability benefits means you may not even be able to fill out some of this complex paperwork due to your current condition. And since this isn't something you apply for every day, you shouldn't expect your family member or neighbor to know everything about the filing process.

As mentioned before, filing the wrong paperwork or not providing the required information is enough reason for the SSA to deny your application. And that's the last thing you want, given how long it takes to have your petition reviewed by the government. If you don't complete the required paperwork correctly, you'll most likely be frustrated, and your bills will continue to pile.

But since Social Security Disability attorneys specialize in these cases, you can trust their experience to help you fill out crucial paperwork. Remember, the required paperwork also varies depending on your eligibility category. You need an attorney to help you avoid disappointments along the way. 

Increasing Your Chances of Approval

It's a known fact that working with a Social security disability attorney significantly increases an applicant's chances of being approved for benefits. However, this does not necessarily mean that applying for benefits without an attorney will automatically lead to rejection. Instead, you have a higher chance of being approved when you have an attorney by your side than when you don't.

Here's why:

Social Security disability attorneys are familiar with the filing process and how to present a case that strongly appeals to the SSA. In addition, they know how to present you as a strong candidate for benefits, increasing your chances of approval. 

Collecting Crucial Evidence

You must submit evidence to support your disability claim to be eligible for social security benefits. A seasoned social security disability attorney in Brooklyn can help you obtain crucial evidence to prove your disability or illness that prevents you from working. These attorneys know what counts as strong evidence and what doesn't. 

It's also important to note that the required evidence varies from one candidate to another. For this reason, an attorney will evaluate the specifics of your medical condition or disability and determine the best and most relevant evidence to collect and present to the SSA on your behalf. Some examples of evidence required to prove disability include but are not limited to:

Medical Evidence
This is usually the most important piece of evidence when filing a social security disability claim. You must demonstrate that you have an existing impairment or medical condition that prevents you from working. To do this, you may be required to provide copies of medical evidence from clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities.

Proof of Impairment
While medical evidence is important, it may not be enough to prove impairment. For this reason, in addition to providing medical evidence, you must also need to prove impairment. But, again, this is something an experienced social security disability attorney can help you with.                               

Severity of Impairment
Even after providing medical evidence and proof of impairment, you may be surprised to discover these two are insufficient to file a successful claim. The application process doesn't end there; you'll need more than that. 

The SSA has a thorough vetting process to prevent social security fraud. For this reason, most initial applications are often rejected. But this does not necessarily mean they're fraudulent; a lack of proper evidence is enough reason for the SSA to reject your petition. 

The SSA will also want to establish the severity of the impairment. They want to ensure that even though you have medical evidence and proof of impairment, the impairment itself is severe enough to prevent you from working if you're an adult. On the other hand, when it comes to children, the impairment or illness should be severe enough to prevent them from functioning like other kids of the same age would. 

As a result, you may be required to provide statements from non-medical sources such as educational officials, family members, private social welfare agency personnel, neighbors, employers, clergy, and so on. This information can be overwhelming only when you don't have an attorney fighting for your rights. 

Other Important Information
Medical evidence, proof of impairment, and severity of the impairment are some of the most important pieces of information the SSA needs to decide whether a particular candidate is eligible for disability benefits. But that's not the only required information. The list of evidence and information required is broad and varies from one candidate to another. 

In addition to the requirements listed above, you may need to constantly update the SSA about the latest developments relating to your disability or illness. You must do this as soon as you become aware of the new information. 

If the SSA doubts your medical evidence for any reason, they may utilize an independent medical source to examine your condition. This happens under specific circumstances, and it's important that you work with an attorney to help you understand your options. For example, the primary reason the SSA may require that you get examined by an independent medical source is when the current medical evidence is not strong enough. Therefore, working with an attorney means you'll be able to collect substantial evidence to prove your case because they know what works and what doesn't. 

Communicating With the Social Security Administration on Your Behalf

More than half a million people apply for SSD benefits every year. Each one of these individuals would love to know the fate of their application. For this reason, it's always frustrating to get a hold of SSA officials to discuss your application. The last thing you want is to stay on hold on the line for hours trying to get in touch with an official from the SSA.

It's even worse if the disability or illness prevents you from communicating properly. In that case, your attorney will represent you in all communications with the SSA. And since they're in charge of your application, they'll always provide any relevant information required by the SSA. As a result, you or your loved one can rest easy knowing that the SSD attorney has everything under control. 

Filing an Appeal on Your Behalf

The SSA administration estimates that less than 40 percent of the initial applications are approved. Although working with an attorney significantly increases your chances of approval, the decision to approve or reject your application is made by the SSA. You can always count on your attorney to file an appeal on your behalf if the SSA rejects your application. 

The appeals process is even more complicated and requires complex paperwork, not forgetting the strict deadlines. This process can be overwhelming without an attorney. An experienced Brooklyn social security disability attorney will help you navigate the complex appeals process, keeping your best interests at heart. 

Representing You at Disability Hearings

Since the SSA approves less than 40 percent of the initial applications for SSD benefits, it means that most of these applications are approved at the hearings stage. So when the SSA rejects your application, you still have a chance of approval by filing an appeal. But the appeals process is even more complex. 

An administrative law judge will hear your case and decide whether you're eligible for benefits. For this reason, preparation is key. You must provide the required evidence to prove that you indeed qualify for benefits. This is something your attorney can also help you with. 

In addition to providing additional evidence, you may also be required to speak for yourself in front of the judge. Again, an experienced social security disability attorney will help you prepare for these questions, giving you the confidence you need to face the administrative law judge.