Applying for Coral Springs Social Security Disability Benefits
Thousands of Coral Springs, Florida residents pay taxes into the Social Security system out of each paycheck they receive. These hard-working individuals assume that Social Security Disability benefits will be there for them if they were suddenly unable to work due to a long-term or permanent disabling condition.
What these disabled workers don't realize is that after years of paying Social Security taxes, obtaining the disability benefits they need is usually easier said than done. The fact of the matter is that as few as 30 percent of disability claims are approved by the Social Security Administration during the initial stage of the claim process. The remaining 70 percent of applicants must undergo the complex disability appeal process – a process that can take some disability applicants years to complete. What can you do to increase your chances of being approved for disability benefits during the initial stage of the application process?
In many cases, hiring a Coral Springs Social Security Disability attorney can help. You also may be eligible for a closed period of disability benefits. A closed period, in terms of Social Security Disability benefits, is the time between the onset of your disability and the time when you were able to return to work.
Coral Springs benefits from a vibrant and flourishing economy. The educational, health, social services, retail, science and finance sectors all play a role in the economic well-being of the area. The city's unemployment rate has traditionally been below the national average, while wealth levels are higher than the norm. Coral Springs has received the Florida Sterling Award for Excellence in Administration two times and the area's growing economy is testimony to the fact that the awards have been well deserved.
Nearly 130,000 Florida residents make Coral Springs their home. In the State of Florida, approximately 4.1 percent of the population receives Social Security Disability benefits. The average amount that these recipients receive is $1,068.10 per month.
While this monthly disability benefit can definitely help offset the financial burden that is faced by a disabled worker, the fact of the matter is that it will take a Coral Springs Social Security Disability applicant an average of 376 days to complete the disability claim process. Why does it take so long for disability applicants in Coral Springs to obtain their disability benefits when the initial application process takes only three to four months?
The extensive wait times are due to the backlog of disability appeals in the SSA's system and the high number of denials at the initial stage of the disability claim process.
Coral Springs Social Security Disability applicants must wait more than a year before having their case heard before an administrative law judge when pursuing a disability appeal. Because of this, many applicants wonder if there is anything they can do to increase their chances of a favorable decision at the initial stage of the claim process, eliminating the need for a disability appeal altogether. In some cases, hiring a Coral Springs Social Security Disability attorney can help.
Hiring a Coral Springs Disability Attorney
What exactly can a Coral Springs Social Security Disability lawyer do to help you in your claim for disability benefits? When you hire a Coral Springs Social Security attorney, he or she will help you gather the information that will be necessary to file a successful claim for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration. If, for some reason, your initial claim for benefits is denied, your Coral Springs Social Security attorney can help you file a successful appeal to overturn the SSA's decision to deny your disability claim.
If your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied, it is important that you understand that time is of the essence. You need to contact a Coral Springs Social Security lawyer as soon as possible. You only have 60 days from the date that you receive your notice of denial to appeal the SSA's decision, and your lawyer will need as much time as possible to prepare your appeal with you.
When hiring a Coral Springs disability attorney, the first thing your lawyer will do is determine whether or not you meet the SSA's qualifying criteria. Your lawyer will discuss your work history with you as well as your education and the details regarding your disabling condition. After your Coral Springs disability lawyer has reviewed your disability claim, he or she will decide if you will likely qualify for SSDI or SSI.
They will then work to prepare your disability claim with you, ensuring that all of the necessary evidence is provided and that your claim is submitted to the Social Security Administration in the best light possible.
If, for some reason, your initial application for benefits is denied, your attorney will begin to work on preparing your Social Security Disability appeal. He or she will file the necessary appeal paperwork and will begin to gather the evidence needed to further support your claim for Social Security Disability benefits.
This may involve further testing or obtaining the services of medical specialists to support your claim for benefits. Your attorney may also retain expert witnesses to testify on your behalf at your disability hearing. Fortunately, nearly two-thirds of disability applicants will receive disability benefits as a result of the hearing stage of the appeal process. Your chances of a favorable hearing outcome are significantly increased with proper legal representation.
A Coral Springs Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Broward County, Miami-Dade County, and Palm Beach County: Tamarac, Lauderhill, Plantation, Pompano, Fort Lauderdale, Margate, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Sanalfoot Cove, Boca Del Mar, Mission Bay, and Hollywood.