Social Security Disability Benefits Blog » The Claims Process

Four Tips for Filing Your Social Security Disability Reconsideration

cavey — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:34:02 +0000

Unfortunately, you, like most people have had your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits denied. Don’t give up! We at Cavey and Barrett urge you to file a request for reconsideration. If you chose to do so without the services of an attorney we think that there are four things that you should know about filing your request for reconsideration.

Always provide updated medical information about your recent visits to the doctors, hospitals or clinics.
Submit the medical records of your providers that you’ve seen from the time of your initial application up until your request for reconsideration. This will help speed up the reconsideration process. While it may not mean that your Social Security Disability benefits are granted at the request for reconsideration stage, you will at least get “faster” denial so that you can move on to the request for hearing stage.
At Cavey and Barrett, we strongly suggest that you copy of your disability application if you done it in writing. We suggest that you run off a copy of the disability application and fill it out in a draft. You can use that as a guideline for filling your request for reconsideration information. As you fill out the request for reconsideration paperwork review your copy of your initial application. Look to see whether you not you have forgotten any doctors, hospitals or clinics that you may have seen. Check the application to see whether or no you mistakenly left off medication or side effects of medication. Check the application to see if you have listed every condition that you are being treated for which is the basis of your disability. If you’ve left something off you want to include this on your request for reconsideration.
You have sixty days to file the request for reconsideration, plus five days for mailing. At Cavey and Barrett we urge you to turn in your request for reconsideration as early as possible. Every day you wait is a longer delay. At Cavey and Barrett we strive to submit your request for reconsideration in the same week that we receive notification that your initial disability application ahs been turned down.

At Cavey and Barrett, we believe in a team approach to handling Social Security Disability cases. We’ve written a free consumer guide Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits , you can order your free copy at a $19.99 value by clicking here.

If you would like more information about your rights regarding Social Security Disability Benefits, you can order our FREE book,"Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits" by submitting the form in the sidebar. We will send it out immediately along with other important information.

For more information about Social Security Disability Benefits, visit our law firm web site at CaveyLaw.com. If you would like to speak with one of our Social Security Disability Benefits attorneys about your case, feel free to call us anytime at (727) 897-9117 or simply submit our contact form and we will get back to you quickly.

What is Substantial Work and the Role is Plays in My Social Security Disability Process?

cavey — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:34:28 +0000

Substantial work is defined by Social Security rules as “physical and mental work that you’re paid to do by your employer. Work can be substantial even if you are doing it on a part time basis.” The Social Security Administration looks at the kinds of job duties you are doing, your skills and experience you need to do the job and most importantly: how much you actually make.

The Social Security Administration will find that work is substantial if you have gross earning of $830 per month.

You may be self-employed. If so, the Social Security Administration considers the time and value of your work, including your role in the management of the business in deciding whether or not your work is substantial.

This does become an issue in Social Security Disability cases and Sharon Barrett, your Sarasota and Pinellas County Social Security Disability attorney can help you with any problems involving substantial gainful activity defense. Use the contact form on this website to contact us today to help you with your Social Security Disability claims process.

83% of Americans DO NOT Believe that their Social Security Disability Claims Will be Handled Fairly

cavey — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:49 +0000

83% of Americans do not believe that their Social Security Disability Claims Will be Handled Fairly by the Social Security Administration

Attorney Carl Kazmierczak of Kazmierczak and Kazmierczak, a Social Security Disability firm recently asked the question, “Do you feel the Social Security Administration will handle your Social Security Disability claim fairly?”

This poll was taken by the Office of Disability guide and the response was amazing, 83% said that they did not trust the Social Security Administration to handle their Social Security Disability claim fairly.

The Social Security Administration proved Commissioner Astrue is making many efforts to improve the Social Security Administrations ability to quickly handle Social Security claims and reduce wait times.

The office of Commissioner Astrue fully assists in improving the public opinion of the Social Security Administration and how Social Security Disability claims are handled. http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/09/prweb2842904.8tm

How Long Do I Have to Wait Before I Get a Decision from an Administrative Law Judge?

cavey — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:26:28 +0000

Well you finally had your at court and the judge has asked you questions. You’ve answered all your attorney’s questions. You’ve heard the testimony of a vocational expert or medical expert. And you are wondering, when am I going to know if I have been granted Social Security Disability benefits?

The administrative law judge normally makes a decision shortly after the hearing so long is that there is no additional evidence that they have requested or that we wish to submit. The administrative law judge takes about six to eight weeks to issue a decision.

Unfortunately, in the Tampa Bay area you can expect to wait 24 months from the time you file your request from the time until you have your actual hearing and then expect to wait yet another two months before you get the decision.

We always ask for a ruling, on the record, reserving our rights for a hearing. At Cavey and Barrett, we ask our clients to provide us with ongoing information about their medical treatment and gather records to support your claim. We continue to provide this information to the Social Security Administration and do a pre hearing “Memo of Law” asking that the judge accept your claim based on the evidence that we have gathered. You can help us help you by keeping us updated about your physicians and treatment that you have rendered. At Cavey and Barrett, attorney Sharon Barrett, knows how important it is to work closely with her clients to ensure the best results possible.

Social Security Disability attorney Sharon Barrett has written the consumer guide to the Social Security Disability claims process called Your Rights to Social Security Disability Benefits. Get Your Copy Today!

The Costs of Your Social Security Disability Application | How Much Does It Cost?

cavey — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:19:53 +0000

It costs, on average, $1,180 to process a single Social Security Disability application. The initial review is generally denied. The costs of the initial application, reconsideration and hearing by an administrative law judge costs the Social Security Administration on average $4,759.

Just think how much money the federal government could save if they had competent reviewers at the initial application and reconsideration stage where over 90% of applications are denied. Statistics show that over 70% of Social Security Disability applicants who have a hearing by the administrative law judge, win their benefits, ultimately costing the Social Security system and the American public $4,759. We at Cavey and Barrett support any legislation that would streamline the Social Security disability claims process. If you need help with your Social Security Disability application, contact a lawyer who can guide you through the process today.