Should You Apply for SSDI on Your Own? | Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyers
Social security disability insurance (SSDI) is an insurance policy set up through the US government for workers who pay into the system. It protects you in case a disability prevents you from working at some point in the future.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps the application process open to the public, so you don’t have to have an attorney to apply. You can gather all the information and send it in on your own. Many people choose to do this, and some do have success.
But as a social security lawyer Memphis TN has trusted for years with their applications, I’ve seen thousands of people receive denials after applying on their own. In fact, the vast majority of applicants are denied the first time around. And for so many of them, it would never have happened if they had a good attorney.
While anyone can apply for SSDI, it’s actually not that easy to receive benefits. The application process requires a lot of information, including medical records, work history, and even doctors’ testimonies. And all of this information needs to be organized and worded in a specific way.
I’ve found most people have trouble navigating all the rules and paperwork and may not realize their mistakes as they happen. They don’t find out until much later – when they receive their denial letter – that they did something wrong. And even then, they may not know what to do differently next time.
Studies show time and again that you’re much more likely to be successful if you use a lawyer for your application. A good SSDI attorney knows the process inside and out. And if you’re denied, an attorney can look at all the reasons why and help you build a successful appeal.
People assume SSDI attorneys cost a lot of money, but this is a myth that keeps a lot of applicants from receiving the benefits they need. In reality, SSDI attorney fees are set by law and limited to a small percentage of your past-due benefits. So if you’re successful, you won’t need to pay a thing out of the future benefits you receive.
If you need to apply for SSDI benefits, a good lawyer can make all the difference in your case. They can help you have more success in less time, and for a very reasonable rate. Before you begin the process, I urge you to find an experienced SSDI attorney to discuss your application.
Thanks to our friends and contributors from Darrell Castle & Associates, PLLC for their insight into nursing home abuse.