Picture
Image Source: msnbc.msn.com
It is said that only 30 percent of initial Social Security disability claims are approved by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Meanwhile, there are only three possibilities that may happen to the remaining 70 percent of claims. Applicants may forget their claims (giving up their right to benefits in the process). Some may file a disability claim anew. Some others, however, may pursue an approval by reversing the decision via an appeal.

Accordingly, if your claim was denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), then it would be best that you do the third one, which is to have the federal agency reverse its previous decision through an appeal. You can do so within 60 days of your receipt of the SSA’s letter notifying that your claim has been denied.

Incidentally, one of the most important parts of the appeal is the disability hearing. It is an informal hearing presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ). If you get denied during the first stage of the appeal (the reconsideration stage), it is best that you try again and go for the disability hearing. To help you out in the whole process, retaining the services of any Los Angeles Social Security claim lawyers will suffice.

Coming in prepared for the disability hearing is very important. The first thing that you must consider when you prepare for it is to retain the services of the said lawyer. With your reputable lawyer at the helm, the chances of getting your claim approved at the hearing will increase. Your lawyer can handle your case properly, as well as explain during the hearing why you are qualified for disability benefits.

Also, before the scheduled date of the hearing is provided to you, it is best that you collect additional medical records for your disability claim. First, though, you must review the records that the Social Security office used to determine if you are disabled or not.

Point of advice: take advantage of the opportunity after reviewing your claim. If you feel like you’ve missed out on important information in your previous claim, it would be best to include them prior to submitting your claim before the disability hearing.

Source: http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/blog/how-prepare-social-security-disability-hearing