How Should One Start an Application for Benefits?

There are a number of options for initiating an application for Social Security disability benefits. One can simply give a call to the nationwide number for the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213, can give a call to the local Social Security district office and this will get the ball rolling. However, after gathering some basic information over the phone, which may take 15 to 20 minutes, it will come time for a more detailed initial application should one choose this route.

While an application for Social Security disability benefits can be started right on line by going to secure.ssa.gov, it is advisable to seek the advice and assistance of a dedicated Social Security disability lawyer who can assist you with the forms and procedures that will be necessary so as to hopefully avoid the need to appeal the decision. As it is, most claims are denied on their initial application. This can many times be avoided if someone is first advising the individual when to initiate an application, and then by helping the individual properly articulate in their application why they believe they are disabled under Social Security’s rules. While having an attorney will not guarantee a favorable decision on one’s initial claim (especially where only about one out of every three initial claims are approved), it may help to avoid what would otherwise be a circumstance where someone is ensuring themselves a denial, such as if an individual has just gone out of work and is applying prematurely, or without first undertaking aggressive steps at treatment first.

It is important to understand that employees working for SSA are not allowed to provide legal advice, and certainly will not work on your behalf to try and to obtain evidence from your providers that will support your claim. They will not advise you to seek out additional treatment with specialists nor how you might seek out either insurance or free treatment options which will serve to 1) help you personally and 2) help support the notion that you are seeking out aggressive treatment and still remain disabled from working. Nor will SSA undertake a review of the various Social Security forms you will be required to fill out or provide you assistance with those forms to ensure they are undertaken accurately and completely (and that they appropriately represent the extent to which you are impacted by your condition).

The initial disability benefit application on line is quite extensive, and can be quite confusing. Completing this form is quite a daunting task without having the benefit of a skilled legal representative to assist you. Even from the standpoint of deciding whether you should filing both a Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim and a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The ways in which an attorney will assist in this process is countless.

Thus, if you are considering an initial application for Social Security disability benefits consider having skilled legal representation from the very beginning. Social Security lawyers work on a contingent basis and only get paid if and when they win (with fees limited to 25% of the past due benefits payable, and capped at $9,200.00).

For a free, no cost and no obligation evaluation as to whether an application for Social Security disability makes sense for you, contact the Law Offices of Russell J. Goldsmith either by chatting with us on line, or by calling us at (800) 773-8622.