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Disability Law

With a recent estimate suggesting that nearly 1 in 5 Americans has a disability of one form or another, greater attention than ever is being paid to the role of disability insurance. While many individuals who are covered by disability insurance have secured such coverage through programs sponsored by their employer, there are others who have chosen to purchase private insurance directly.

Because the process of confronting such a carrier is certain to be a fact-intensive, detail-oriented endeavor, it is best to secure the aid of a private disability lawyer who is intimately familiar with the way insurance companies operate and the methods they employ to unfairly deprive claimants of the benefits they deserve.

Disabilities make life challenging. When your disability prevents you from working, it makes it impossible to earn a living. The Social Security Administration (SSA) provides payments to disabled individuals through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. A recent estimate suggests that nearly 1 in 5 Americans have a disability of one form or another. Because the process of applying for SSDI is a fact-intensive and detail-oriented endeavor, it is best to secure the aid of an experienced disability lawyer who is intimately familiar with the Social Security benefits system.

If a disability or injury will keep you out of work for at least 12 consecutive months, you may be entitled to benefits through the SSA. It is possible to submit your application for Social Security Disability benefits online or at a local Social Security office. However, the application process is complicated, with many applications denied due to errors for seemingly insignificant mistakes or omissions. At Young, Marr & Associates, our experienced Social Security Disability attorneys will help you in either filing your initial claim or filing an appeal for a denied claim. The rules and regulations governing SSDI are complex, and a knowledgeable attorney can help get you the benefits you deserve. To schedule a free consultation, call our Pennsylvania office at (215) 701-6519 or our New Jersey Office at (609) 257-4019.

Location-Specific Disability Resources:

You Pay No Fees Unless You Receive Benefits

The Social Security Administration makes the process very difficult for claimants. As your attorney, it is our job to effectively communicate your claim in a light most favorable to help you to obtain benefits. We will counsel you through the process and give you advice about what is needed to prove your disability and help gather the appropriate medical evidence. We are professionals with a focus on disability claims. Every day you wait to file, is one more day until you begin receiving the money you deserve.

You need an experienced staff of attorneys and paralegals to handle your claim with the commitment and caring that it deserves.

We never ask for a fee unless you are successful in obtaining money. We do not ask for any up-front costs. At the Delaware Valley Social Security Disability Center of Pennsylvania, you will find an experienced staff truly dedicated to your issues and your claim. We have handled thousands of claims, and we will give you the best chance of being successful!

Qualifying for SSDI

The first thing to understand is what conditions qualify for SSDI. To obtain benefits, you need to establish several elements. Your disability or injury must be a severe mental or physical impairment limiting your ability to perform substantial gainful work. Additionally, the disability must be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months or end in death. Our Social Security Disability attorneys know what information and medical records are required to have your application accepted. This is important for your initial claim or when filing an appeal of a denied claim.

Reasons for Disability Denials

If you have been working, you have been paying taxes into Social Security. SSDI is one of those benefits you have funded and are entitled to if you suffered a disability or severe injury that limits your ability to work. However, according to the Disability Benefits Center, nearly 70% of all initial applications for SSDI are denied.

Filing Problems

One of the most common reasons for denial is incomplete forms. You will have to complete an overwhelming number of forms, each more detailed than the next. The smallest mistake or omission will result in your claim being denied.

You may have also filed too quickly. While the application process does take time, you must demonstrate that your condition will keep you from working for at least 12 consecutive months. This may be difficult to show if you file within a couple of weeks of the injury or diagnosis of the disability.

Missing Medical Evidence

Another common reason for denial is a lack of medical evidence of your disability. You must be able to prove, through medical records, that your disability has limited your ability to perform your work. At Young, Marr & Associates, we will work with your primary physician to provide evidence of the impact your injury or disability had on your ability to work. While the SSA may send you to a doctor to confirm your disability, they will not work to build a usable record of how it affected your ability to earn a living. Documentation of a reduced work schedule or your physician’s instructions that you cannot perform your required duties help establish the severity of your condition.

Previous Denials

Previous denials can cause a new claim to be denied. It is crucial to appeal a denied claim instead of filing a new application. Our experienced SSDI attorneys can guide you through the appeal process, addressing any issues your denied application presented.

Failing to Follow Medical Advice

Your doctor will prescribe treatment to alleviate or improve your condition. If you fail to follow your doctor’s orders, your claim may be denied because the SSA will be unable to determine if your health is preventing you from working or if your noncompliance is keeping you from getting better. You must keep all scheduled medical appointments and follow through with any treatment your physician prescribes.

Failing to Follow SSA Instructions

Denial of your claim could be due to a lack of cooperation with the SSA. Your lack of cooperation could be willful, such as purposefully missing medical exams or failing to respond to document requests. Alternatively, it could be a mere accident, such as filling out forms incorrectly or not realizing the documentation you provided was incomplete. At Young, Marr & Associates, we have helped many individuals with the application process and fully understand all of the nuances and requirements.

Appealing Disability Denials

As mentioned, the SSA denies around 70% of initial Social Security Disability benefits applications. Luckily, the SSA provides guidelines and processes to appeal denied claims. Whether you are offering new evidence or have amended your initial application, your first appeal will go back to the SSA for reconsideration. Our attorneys can help you with this process

If that appeal failed, you might be able to file for a disability hearing with an administrative law judge. You will be allowed to present your case and provide evidence of your condition. The appeals process is overwhelming, but with the help of a seasoned disability attorney, the success rate at this stage is much higher. At Young, Marr & Associates, we understand the types of documentation and evidence necessary to strengthen your appeal, as well as all of the administrative deadlines and potential issues that could derail your appeal.

All Cases Are Overseen By Former Social Security Legal Representatives

Before coming to Young, Marr & Associates, our SSD attorneys worked for the SSA which gives us an advantage over attorneys who have never dealt directly with the internal SSA system. We know the process is difficult – your job is to get better, and our job is to make sure you get the disability you deserve.

Chances are you are preoccupied dealing with a painful illness. You are concerned about your financial future, about how you will get by without a steady source of income.

Call Our Social Security Disability Attorney to Schedule a Free Consultation

You have paid into Social Security for years and, now that you have a disability that limits your ability to work, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The Social Security Disability attorneys Young, Marr & Associates, we will help you navigate the complicated application process and manage your appeal if your initial claim was denied. To schedule a free consultation, call our Pennsylvania office at (215) 701-6519 or our New Jersey Office at (609) 257-4019.