Have You Been Denied Social Security Benefits?
That's okay — most people's initial application is denied. At Harris & Helwig, most of our clients seek legal representation when they have been denied at the first level by Social Security. A person only has 60 days to file an appeal after having been denied. We help people file the appeal forms and try to develop evidence that will prove that they are disabled.
There are five steps to the Social Security process:
- Submitting the initial application. There are three ways to submit your initial application: mail, electronically or phone. Please visit our resources page for the link to the Social Security office.
- Reconsideration. If your initial application is denied, we can submit for reconsideration. This is basically a repeat of the first process. Your initial application and the reconsideration is reviewed by an assigned disability worker. This person is not a medical professional and unless your disability is clear cut, he or she is likely going to deny your claim.
- Hearing. If your application is denied a second time, we will request a hearing. Unfortunately, it can take from one to two years to schedule a hearing, depending on which Social Security Administration office has your file. Certain people can ask for an expedited hearing: those who are homeless or suffer from a terminal illness. However, most people have to wait for the hearing.
- Appeal. If your case is denied at the hearing, we can appeal it to a board of Social Security judges. These judges review the transcript and file that was used at the hearing and determine if that Social Security judge made a mistake.
- Federal court. If your application is still denied, we can appeal your case to a federal court judge. The federal court will review your application and the transcript and will either 1) award benefits, 2) send the case back to the social security judge, or 3) deny your claim.
At Harris & Helwig, we will guide you through the entire process, making sure that all of the relevant medical documentation is acquired, contacting doctors to make sure they fill out the correct paperwork, finding old school records to show learning disabilities, helping you find resources to treat you and develop medical evidence, and tracking down other useful evidence.
Contact our Florida Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyers
To contact one of our skilled Lakeland Social Security application attorneys, call 866-360-4476 or send us an e-mail. Our Florida offices are handicapped-accessible and provide free parking. Se habla español.
