Why Do I Need a Lawyer For My Social Security Disability Application?

Technically speaking, you do not need to have a lawyer present to fill out an application for Social Security disability benefits. That said, it can significantly increase your chances of having your application approved if you have a lawyer assist with your application. Why is this, and why is it worth it to have a Social Security disability lawyer help you with your case?

  1. A lawyer can help you avoid paperwork errors
    • One of the most common reasons people have their disability applications rejected is that they make simple but critical errors on their paperwork. These errors may be enough to have an application rejected outright, without the merits of your case ever being considered. A lawyer can help you fill out your application to ensure there are no mistakes, omissions, or other problems that might lead to your application being unfairly rejected.
  2. A lawyer make sure you have all necessary documentation
    • You need fairly extensive documentation to apply for Social Security disability benefits, including personal identification, medical records, and information about your income and taxes. You may also need to answer questions about your employment, and whether or not you have obtained workers’ compensation due to your injury. A lawyer can help you compile these documents and ensure you meet all the minimum requirements to seek Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.
  3. A lawyer can explain any confusing parts of the process
    • Another major reason that people miss out on disability benefits is they get confused about the overall process. Given that it can easily drag out for months, ensuring you are on the right path is critical to getting you your benefits as quickly as possible. By explaining the process and the law, a lawyer can make sure you always have a clear picture of what is going on at any given time.
  4. A lawyer can argue on your behalf
    • In the event that your case goes before an administrative judge, a Social Security disability lawyer can argue on your behalf. Many people try to argue for themselves in front of these judges, and find themselves poorly prepared to defend themselves in a courtroom setting. A lawyer who understands the intricacies of the law will be a much more effective advocate than a regular person, and can get you the best chance at a good outcome.
  5. A lawyer can help you appeal your case
    • In the event that your application is denied, that is not necessarily the end. You can still appeal your case and have it heard by other judges, giving you a second chance at success. However, to have the best chances possible, you should make sure to have a Social Security disability lawyer representing you.

The attorneys of Sullivan & Kehoe place a special focus on assisting disabled veterans. Our veterans’ disability lawyers are still available for remote consultation on your legal issues. Call our office at (800) 395-7830 to schedule a consultation in our New York City, Garden City, Kings Park, Riverhead, or White Plains office, or visit our contact page.

6 thoughts on “Why Do I Need a Lawyer For My Social Security Disability Application?”

  1. Thank you for explaining how a lawyer can help you make sure you have all of the right documentation. I’ve been wondering if my mom should hire a lawyer to help with her disability claim. I’ll share this with her since it seems like they could help out a lot during this process.

  2. Thank you for suggesting that you have a lawyer make sure you have all the required paperwork. My friend has a disability. I’ll advise her to contact a disability case lawyer to assist her with papers because she needs to apply for a few jobs related to policies.

  3. Thanks so much for pointing out that having a lawyer can greatly increase your chances of getting your application approved. My brother-in-law has a niece who was born without a right arm and she’s been trying to file for social security benefits. we don’t know a lot about the legal process though so we’ve been looking into finding a lawyer to help her ensure everything is filled out correctly and present her best case in the file.

  4. I’m really glad you said that an attorney can help you if your application gets denied. My sister told me last night on the phone about how her chronic illness has been making it too hard for her to work, so she wants to look into applying for social security. I’ll pass this information along to her so she can know the advantages of hiring a lawyer for some extra help.

  5. Thanks for helping me understand that a social security disability law professional will ensure that all the documents needed have to be compiled would be complete according to the requirements of the SSDI or SSI. I can imagine how this piece of advice can help my mom regarding the needs of my youngest brother who has special needs. He just needs to start getting treated, because he is quite overweight now and it can be hard for us to tell him to go on a diet due to his condition.

  6. I totally agree when you said that social security disability lawyers will ensure that all the required documents would be met regarding seeking SSDI or SSI benefits. I heard that my neighbor needs to get that kind of help for their relative who has a disability. It seems that the injury that caused the issue just happened recently, and they really need money due to how limited their resources are.

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