So your initial SSDI claim was denied and you’re considering how to move forward. Should you appeal the decision? Should you get an attorney to help?

It can help to take a look at how the SSDI appeals process works to understand why hiring an attorney can help you.       

After being denied on your SSDI application, you only have 60 days to appeal the decision. In that time, you need to figure out why your initial claim was denied and fill in any information the initial reviewer felt was missing. A skilled professional, who's not so closely tied with your case, can see clearly where you might have missed information and save you time and energy.

There are several stages within the appeals process. First, your claim is reviewed.

If it's not initially approved, you'll then have a hearing where your lawyer can represent you and help you plead your case. If the judge doesn't approve your claim at this point in the process, you can appeal that decision. Your claim is then sent to a review board.

If your appeal is denied there, your attorney can file a civil suit in a federal district court. Then should your case need to go to trial your attorney can represent you. 

The goal is to get your appeal approved quickly. SSDI attorneys are eager for your claim to be approved because they don’t receive payment unless you receive your benefits. 

There are strict payment rules put in place by the Social Security Administration. An attorney is only permitted to charge 25% of past payments owed, up to $6,000. Past payments are monthly benefits owed to you by the SSA from the date of your disability to the date you are awarded benefits. These past payments will be given in a lump sum, and the SSA will pay your lawyer directly.

So it's usually well worth it to get an attorney for your SSDI appeal.

If you've been denied SSDI and would like to appeal, don't wait until it's too late. Call us today at 816-842-7100 to speak with an attorney. Or you can click here to email us and schedule your free consultation.