South Carolina Social Security Disability Appeals Attorney

Greenville Social Security Disability lawyer works to overturn improper denials

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is meant to assist people who can longer go to work because of a severe, long-term medical condition. Unfortunately, many worthy claims are initially rejected, which can put claimants and their families into financial crisis. The Dennison Law Firm, P.C. in Greenville advocates for denied claimants in SSDI appeals and presses authorities to change course so that South Carolina residents who cannot work secure the benefits that they deserve.

What happens when a disability application gets denied?

For many SSDI claimants, a denied application is only one step on a path that eventually leads to a favorable decision on benefits. Your denial will contain one or more reasons why your claim was rejected. You should not delay if you believe you qualify for payments, because strict deadlines apply. If you don’t already have an attorney working on your behalf, this is the time to get an effective advocate on your side who is well versed in Social Security Administration (SSA) rules and the information they use as a basis for their decisions.

Social Security Disability appeals process

After a denial, an appeal can go through one or more of the following stages:

• Request for reconsideration — This first step in the appeal process gives some claimants the opportunity to win a quick reversal.
• Administrative law judge hearing — Most successful appeals occur at the hearing stage, during which an administrative law judge examines documentary evidence and listens to testimony regarding the worthiness of an SSDI claim.
• Appeals Council review — The Appeals Council evaluates whether the administrative law judge acted properly during the hearing stage. If it is determined that a legal error was made, the matter might be remanded back for another hearing on the facts of the claim.
• Federal court lawsuit — In rare cases, an SSDI claimant might seek relief in federal court after an adverse decision from the Appeals Council.

No matter how your SSDI appeal proceeds, my firm offers honest counsel and determined representation every step of the way.

What happens during a request for reconsideration?

During the request for reconsideration, you can resubmit your claim and any additional supporting evidence you might have located to a different reviewer. Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes or some supplementary information will lead to a reversal of an initial denial. However, the decision may remain the same. If so, claimants have the option to seek a hearing before an administrative law judge.

How long does an SSDI appeal take?

Once you receive an SSDI denial, you have 60 days to file a request for reconsideration. If the outcome does not change, there is a 60-day period after that decision in which you can file for the administrative law judge review. Usually, it takes many months for this stage to commence, even if you don’t request a hearing. After that, there could be weeks or months before you learn the outcome of your appeal. Should you decide to bring your case before the SSA Appeals Council or a federal District Court, that makes the process considerably longer.

My law firm recommends that you seek the advice of an attorney even before you begin the SSA Disability process.

Contact a Greenville attorney regarding your Social Security Disability appeal

The Dennison Law Firm, P.C. advocates on behalf of South Carolina clients who have been refused Social Security Disability benefits. For a consultation to learn about your appeal, please call 864-214-2463 or contact me online. My office is located in Greenville.