People’s bodies endure a great deal of wear and tear as they age and go about their daily lives. This may result in crippling ailments or injuries that prevent them from working and earning a living.
Fortunately, the Social Security Disability program provides a safety net. A person can contribute to this socially supported system for the duration of their life, and they can begin receiving payments from it if they are unable to work. However, how does one go about applying for these benefits? Is it simple or complex to accomplish?
Benefits applications are fairly simple. You can obtain certain forms from the website of the Social Security Administration. However, the only simple part might be locating the forms and submitting an application. It’s another matter entirely to make sure your application contains the correct information to increase your chances of being accepted.
Maria, a disability lawyer in Melbourne, Florida, says you should know the following details if you are thinking about applying for disability:
1. If your application is rejected, you can only appeal once.
2. A doctor’s declaration of disability alone might not be sufficient to support your claim.
3. Your case should be handled similarly to any other legal case, where you should provide the strongest evidence possible in a well-organized manner.
4. Your chances of being accepted are increased by roughly 50% when you work with a personal injury lawyer.
5. Your chances of winning your appeal are also increased by roughly 50% if you work with a disability lawyer.
Everyone has the right to apply for federal benefits, even though the State of Florida does not have its own disability payment program. Maria explained, “This is because you have been contributing to that system since your very first paycheck.” They are referred to as “entitlements” for this reason. In the event that you become disabled, you are eligible for the benefits.
The practice of disability law is distinct from all other areas of law, including personal injury law. For your best chance of being accepted, you want to work with a professional who has experience handling disability cases. A divorce lawyer wouldn’t be hired to handle your car accident case, would they? The same generalization applies to disability law.
Florida has one of the highest rates of social security recipients in the nation due to its sizable senior population. More than five million people receive benefits. That’s about 1 in 5 locals. Since there is a cap on the number of applicants who can be accepted, it is crucial to prepare your case before submitting it. “Learning on the job” is not appropriate at this time.
Ask your friends if they have any relatives who have hired a lawyer for their case and if they are satisfied with the outcome. Getting recommendations from someone you trust is a smart idea. To locate the best-rated lawyer in your area, you can also use search engines and legal databases. You will realize after the fact how important it was to be ready before your case was filed.