Given how much information and literature the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides online about how Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) works, you would be forgiven for assuming that the process of applying for SSDI benefits is just as straightforward. In reality, though, getting the benefits you need can be challenging, even with mountains of evidence supporting your claim, especially if you try to file that claim by yourself.
The stakes are always high when it comes to financial assistance that will help you deal with a serious disability that prevents you from working. In high-stakes situations, it is almost always beneficial to have help from someone who has handled similar cases successfully in the past. Here are just some of the benefits of hiring an SSDI lawyer in Reno that you should take into consideration before trying to pursue a claim on your own.
Help With Gathering and Making Use of Evidence
All the medical documents and first-hand reports in the world cannot be helpful to an SSDI application if they cannot be found in the first place or if the applicant fails to structure them in a way that tells a compelling story of the disability that qualifies them for benefits. Guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be critical in both regards.
Guidance Throughout the Application Process
Once you have constructed the strongest possible application for the benefits you need, you must submit that application to the SSA through the proper channels, in a timely fashion, and without any typographical errors or important omissions. If that sounds easy, you should know that a majority of SSDI petitions that the SSA receives each year are rejected for one reason or another, and among the most common reasons for such rejections is a small mistake in application paperwork that a dedicated lawyer in Reno can help iron out.
More Effective Communication With Healthcare Providers
Proving that you qualify for SSDI benefits entails a lot of conversations with potentially multiple different healthcare providers, each of whom may have a different opinion about how disabled you are. Collating these opinions, speaking with medical professionals on their level, and structuring testimony to give you the best chances of case success are all key services a Reno SSDI attorney could provide once hired.
Assistance With Appealing a Claim Denial
Last but certainly not least, to say that the SSA’s procedures for appealing denied SSDI petitions are “complicated” would be putting it very kindly. While it is very much possible to get a more favorable outcome from your case upon receiving a second—or third, or more—opinion on its validity, efficiently making your way through every stage of the appeals process can be almost impossible without knowledgeable legal representation by your side.
Learn More About the Benefits of Hiring an SSDI Attorney in Reno
SSDI benefits are a vital financial lifeline for millions of disabled Americans. However, because of the sheer number of people who need these benefits, the SSA is very strict—not to mention very slow—in deciding who receives them. On top of that, the step-by-step process of applying for benefits can be confusing even for people with experience dealing with government-run support programs, as millions of people in need of those benefits unfortunately learn each year.
Getting help from the capable legal professionals at Shook & Stone is one of the best things you can do to maximize your chances of success with an SSDI application. Call today if you have more questions about the benefits of hiring an SSDI lawyer in Reno or want to schedule a free consultation.
