Were You Denied of SSD Benefits in North Carolina?
Contact Golson, McCracken Inc. Today: Call (888) 529-3678
If you have been denied of your SSD benefits, do not wait another moment to speak with us. We can help improve your chances of securing a favorable outcome. With more than 20 years of experience in being advocates for the disabled, we understand the unique complexities involved in appealing a denied claim for Social Security Disability.
Why Choose Our North Carolina Social Security Disability Experts?
- Every client is treated personally and compassionately. We can meet with you over the phone or in-person, whichever best accommodates your needs.
- We take on every case under a strict contingency fee policy. This simply means you pay us nothing out-of-pocket until we help you win your case.
- We offer our clients completely confidential, free consultations.
- We do not demand any up-front costs and you will not have to pay until we recover
- We handle all types of disability cases, including children’s’ disability and adults.
We choose to help people, and we provide our clients with the compassionate help they deserve. Call us at (888) 529-3678 or fill out our questionnaire to get started.
Denied SSD Benefits: A Harsh Reality for Millions of Americans
A common myth about Social Security Disability is that anyone who files a claim for benefits will initially be denied. While this is not actually the case, there is a kernel of truth in it.
The fact is that approximately two out of every three new claims for SSD benefits are denied every year.
For example, fewer than 1 million out of the 2.82 million new claims in 2012 were approved. The remaining 1.8 million people were left without the benefits that they needed to make ends meet after being forced out of work by a disability.
Receiving a Letter of Denial Is Not the End of the Process
While not all claims that the Social Security Administration (SSA) receives are valid, many people who should receive benefits are denied. This can be attributed in large part to the overwhelming volume of applications that are submitted to the SSA every year.
With so many claims to process, the staff of the SSA simply cannot afford to conduct the necessary follow-up to resolve relatively minor errors or omissions on paperwork. On the other side of the coin, the staff members of the SSA are prone to make mistakes of their own, and these mistakes are often found to be the cause of a decision to deny benefits.
Social Security has a strict set of criteria used to determine whether a medical condition meets a Listing that will find a claimant disabled at the state levels. Furthermore, many claims are denied when the Disability Determination Services reviewer does not receive sufficient medical documentation to prove that the claimant is suffering from a qualifying condition. Sometimes a claimant’s own description or lack of description of their disability results in denial.
That’s why having an expert at Golson, McCracken helping at every level of your claim is so important. We can help increase your chances of approval.
The Appeals Process: What You Need to Know & What to Expect
Fortunately, it is possible to continue pursuing your claim for disability benefits, even if you have initially been denied. The first stage of appeal that the SSA provides is known as reconsideration. As the name implies, reconsideration involves requesting to have another person from the SSA review your application, in hopes that this person will view the situation differently and approve your claim.
According to data provided by the SSA, however, only 14% of claims are approved at the reconsideration stage. If your claim is again denied after reconsideration, we will most likely pursue the next step, requesting a disability hearing.
The disability hearing is presided over by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). It is similar to a trial, though far less formal and without the presence of a prosecutor and jury. Instead, the ALJ serves as trier of fact, and will review the evidence and question you and any witness that you may bring. The ALJ may have their own vocational or medical expert available for testimony.
We Can Appeal a Denial of SSD Benefits in North Carolina
We can represent you at your hearing, but it is also important for you to speak on your own behalf. In fact, the hearing is the first time that you will have an opportunity to tell your story in-person to a representative from the SSA. It is your chance to make a compelling case of why it is that you cannot work and therefore need benefits.
It’s your story & we want to give you a voice. Call today.
The team from Golson, McCracken Inc. is ready to help you prepare for the hearing and every other stage of the process, and we can put our years of experience to work for you. Fill out our client intake form now to get started.
If you prefer to speak with us directly, call our toll-free hotline at (888) 529-3678. Local residents can contact us at (919) 294-4171.
