Source: Wait times for Social Security benefit appeals leave people in limbo
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Downright depressing.
It takes a very long time to get a hearing if you are denied benefits at the first two levels. It takes another 16 to 18 months to get a hearing, and over one year to hear from the Appeals Council if you lose at the hearing. I do not understand how people do it.
Working together with your lawyer really does improve the value of your case.
The reason is that you know better than anyone what has happened to you and how it is effecting your daily life, and your lawyer knows the law and how it applies to your situation.
Blending the facts and the law together is what makes your case powerful and convinces the Judge that you should be awarded maximum value according to the law.
Your part of the team work is to keep the lawyer informed of your medical bills, medical treatment, and what the doctors are telling you about your condition.
The lawyer’s role is to explain what will best convince the Judge of your disability, limitations, and permanent restrictions.
Make sure to keep in frequent contact with your lawyer so you may discuss different approaches and ideas.
It is very important to keep up with your doctor visits and constantly inform your doctor of your problems and limitations.
Make sure that you ask the doctor for prescriptions for assistive devices such as braces, canes, walkers or aids such as disability parking placards.
Your lawyer will want to discuss with you what types of questions will be asked at the trial or hearing well ahead of time so you can prepare.
Questions about how to improve your team work? Feel free to contact Illinois work injury and Social Security Disability lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Using a lawyer can be frightening.
Most people will possibly use a lawyer once or twice in their lifetime.
There are many misconceptions about lawyers.
Such as they are too expensive for the typical person.
They are mean.
You can do it on your own.
In work injury, personal injury and Social Security Disability cases a lawyer only gets paid if you win.
There are no hourly fees and no upfront fees.
The lawyer gets paid a percentage of the award at the end of the case.
Your lawyer works in partnership with you to present your best case and win as much money as is allowed pursuant to the law.
The lawyer wants to win for you so there is no reason to be afraid.
The other side, the insurance company, has a number of lawyers helping it and giving it advice to protect its interests. So should you.
A lawyer has a large amount of experience in dealing with insurance companies, judges and other lawyers.
The lawyer knows what to expect and what you need to prove to win your case.
Make sure that you get an experienced lawyer on your side.
Feel free to contact Illinois injury lawyer and Social Security Disability lawyer Dirk May at 309-827-4371.
Source: I lost everything waiting for disability assistance. And I’m not the only one. – The Washington Post
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You better believe it. You have to wait years to get your day in court and then four or five months to get the written decision. Not enough workers to get the cases before the judge in a timely manner.
Sometimes you wonder what people are thinking.
Social Security Disability is not a simple process.
There are numerous laws, rules and procedures that are complex and baffling to even those who work with Social Security on a daily basis.
Why would you decide to represent yourself?
You are risking benefits that may be paid to you for the rest of your lifetime.
This could easily top a total of $300,000 depending on your life expectancy.
Every so often I will see clients who come into my office after being denied at a hearing without a lawyer representing them.
There are many mistakes and traps that these people fall into.
Even though the Judges are not inherently biased against unrepresented people, I think there are some subtle problems.
No one is watching the Judge to protect against mistakes, or failure to follow the rules, or to ask important questions of you or the vocational consultant.
You need to know what type of questions the Judge will ask and why.
You need to understand what you must prove to win your case.
You need to know what medical records to produce.
You need to understand why the vocational consultant is testifying and what you need to do to turn the testimony to your advantage.
The bottom line is that a lawyer only gets paid if they win your case for you.
The most the lawyer can ever get paid is $6,000.
This is a small amount to pay for lifetime benefits and Medicare benefits.
Questions about your disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Attorney Dirk May at 309-827-4371.