Disability Lawyers Are Not Required, But They Increase Your Chances of Success
You do not need an attorney for your Social Security Disability claim. You can go through all levels of review on your own. If you'd like, you can file the claim yourself, appeal your denial, and argue on your own behalf at your appeal.
This is not the best approach. Statistics clearly show that claimants who are represented by a disability lawyer or non-lawyer representative win their benefits far more often than those who try to handle matters on their own. This is true at every stage, even the initial claim and reconsideration stages, as well as the hearing before the administrative law judge.
Why Representation Helps
Having representation helps win SSD (SSDI) and SSI claims because the regulations that govern the Social Security Administration's disability programs are so complex. Even many experienced lawyers are unaware of regulations if they do not focus on this area of law.
There are also extensive medical records to be collected, questions to answer and deadlines to meet. People - especially people who are already struggling with a disability - often find it overwhelming to handle the process alone.
It is easy to make mistakes if you have never handled a claim before. You may accidentally answer a question incorrectly. You could miss a deadline or forget a medical record. All of these things can have a negative impact on your disability benefit claim - and they may even stop you from receiving benefits at all.
Get the Help You Need
While you can go through all of the levels of review on your own, it is better if you have help. Hiring someone who knows the law and the process of filing a Social Security Disability claim is the best way to get favorable results. To contact disability lawyer Cynthia Berger and her support staff at our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, law office, call us toll free at 888-572-1164. We offer free and confidential consultations.
