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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

 
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Disability Hearing with A California Disability Attorney
About 70 percent of initial disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which means that you have a high chance of receiving a letter from the federal agency telling you that you are not eligible to receive disability benefits. It can be frustrating to your part, especially if you’ve waited for a long time. However, this does not mean that you’ll give up on your chance to receive your much-needed benefits. Thankfully, there is the appeals process.

It may be sensible for you to appeal your denied Social Security Disability Insurance(SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income(SSI) claim rather than make a new one or just give up on it. Undergoing the appeals process takes you to four levels. You may be satisfied that at the very first level (reconsideration stage), you agree with their decision. But if not, you still have to go through the second, third, and possibly fourth stage of the appeal.

The second level of the appeals process is the disability hearing with an administrative law judge (ALJ). The judge had nothing to do with the original decision, which is why it is relevant to know that the one who’ll be handling your denied claim is fair. The typical schedule of the hearing is sent to you 20 to 30 days before the date of hearing. It is usually held within 75 miles of your home.

Since this is a disability hearing, you need to prepare for it. Here’s how:
  • You must gather complete and updated information regarding your claim. This includes additional medical records, statements from your treating physician that will support your medical condition as the reason for your inability to work, and other evidences.
  • You must hire a California disability attorney who can represent you on the day of your disability hearing. He can study your claim and eloquently discuss before the judge reasons why you are entitled to receive disability benefits.

 
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apply for Social Security Disability
One of the main requirements that you must diligently follow in order for you to qualify for disability benefits is that you must have worked long enough. Since you’ve worked long enough, it is obvious that you’ve also made tax contributions to the Social Security system, which is through FICA taxes that have been deducted from your monthly paychecks.

If you wish to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), it is worth noting that the Social Security Administration, upon their review of your claim, will take a look at your employment history. What they will do is they will convert your earnings into work credits. The calculation of the dollar amount equals one work credit is done per annum. In 2011, one credit is equal to a total earning of $1,120.

If you are older and have worked long enough, you will most likely have more work credits. In order for you to receive benefits, two tests involving work credits must be passed. The first one is the “recent work test”. For example, if you are 31 or older, you must have worked at least five  of the last 10 years in order to pass the test.

The second is the “duration of work test”. For example, if you are aged 21 to 24, you need  six work credits, or equivalent of 1.5 years of work to qualify for SSDI benefits. If you are aged 31 to 42, you need  six to 18 work credits or 1.5 to 4.5 years of work in order to be eligible.

If you failed any of the two tests, you’re not anymore qualified for SSDI benefits. However, this does not mean you are not entitled to receive disability benefits. You can receive them by applying under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. It is a different disability program, and unlike the SSDI, there is no requirement in terms of work credits. You just have to prove that you have limited income and resources to be eligible for SSI benefits.