If you file for Social Security Disability benefits and are denied, you should appeal by filing what is called a Request for Reconsideration. This is the second stage in the social security disability process. You must file your reconsideration within 60 days, plus 5 days for mailing, of the denial of your initial disability application.

What are the odds of getting approved at the reconsideration level (recon)? The average denial rate is 85%. Wow!

The request for reconsideration goes back to the same folks who denied your claim the first time. A state agency, referred to as DDS, or disability determination services, reviews both the initial application and the request for reconsideration. The process is the same but a different person looks at the request for reconsideration. Same result just a different person!

So, why bother to file a Request for Reconsideration if 85% are turned down? Because if you don’t file a Request for Reconsideration and change your mind 65 days later, you get to START all over again. More importantly, you have to jump through the Reconsideration hoop to get a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)  where the odds of success are significantly greater.

Don’t be discouraged! Just file your Request for Reconsideration so you can jump the next hurdle. Don’t stumble and don’t delay! Contact experienced Social Security Disability Lawyers Cavey & Barrett today!

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Over 1,675,000 initial claims for Social Security disability benefits are denied each year!

What should you do? Appeal the denial immediately by filing a Request For Reconsideration! What’s going to happen next? You’re going to get denied again! And what are you going to do after the second denial?  Appeal again and asked for a hearing!

If you don’t appeal, the initial denial or the denial at the Request for Reconsideration stage you lose!

Why appeal when you keep on getting denied? Because eventually you will get your case in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) at a local disability hearing office where you get to present your case to a real live judge.

If you don’t stay in the race, you don’t even have a chance to win. This is a marathon and victory usually comes to those who outlast the appeals process.

Individuals who are represented at a hearing have a better chance of being awarded benefits. There’s a significant difference in the number of applicants who are awarded benefits after hearing who are represented then those applicants who choose not to have representation.

Never, never give up! If you want to obtain the Social Security disability benefits you’re entitled to and you are denied, appeal and hire a Social Security Disability attorney like Nancy cavey or Sharon Barret.

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Do you have good days and bad days?

Another non-exertional impairment that is important to develop so you can win your Social Security Disability is whether you have good days and bad days. If you have good days and bad days that means that your abilities differ from day to day. That impacts your employability!

It is important to explain how many days per month you have good and bad days and what cause you to have bad days. Explain how you ability to function changes on a bad day, how long it takes you to recover from bad day, what you can and can’t do on a bad day, how you medications use may change, and how you may need assistance around the house or with your personal needs. Paint a picture for your lawyer about what a bad day is like for you and its impacts on your functionality.

For more information, and for help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

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One of the most important non-exertional impairments is the side effects of medications you might be taking as a result of your disability.

At your initial meeting with a Social Security lawyer you should bring a list of the medication you are taking and what side effects, if any, you are experiencing. Your list should have the name of the medication, the dosage, how much do you take every day, what condition are you taking the medication for, who prescribed the medication, when you started taking it, and what side effects you are having from the medication.

This is very important information and you should take time to prepare this list. For more information, and for more help with your claim, click here or call 727-894-3188.

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You decided to set up an appointment with a Social Security lawyer, like Nancy Cavey, to talk about your social security disability claim. I am sure you are wondering what you are going to be asked by this lawyer. Here is a list of some questions you will be asked at your initial appointment.

The first series of questions are background, the second of questions are medical, third deal with pain, the fourth is functionality, the fifth is medications, sixth is physical limitations, and seventh is good and bad days.

Let’s start with the background questions:

1. When did you apply for benefits?

2. What date did you say you became unable to work?

3. What date did you  actually stop working and why?

4. Why can’t you working now?

5. Who did you work for during the 15 years before you became unable to work, what was the name of job and your duties, hours per day, reason for leaving, hours per week, and rate of pay. How many hours per day did you have to sit, stand, and walk.

6. In your most recent job what was the greatest weight and average weight you had to lift or carry, did you use machines, tools or equipment, did you write reports, have any supervisory responsibilities, did your medical problems effect you ability to do your last job and, if so, how?

7. What is your education? How well do you read? Did you repeat any grades or were you in any special classes? Can you do basic math?

8. Do you have any vocational training?

9. Did you serve in military? Getting any veteran’s disability benefits?

We will review the medical questions next! If you have any questions call St. Petersburg based Social Security disability attorney, Nancy Cavey.

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