Millions of disabled Americans apply for Social Security Disability benefits each year. Of the more than two million applications that are received annually by the Social Security Administration, only between 30 and 40 percent are approved during the initial stage of the application process.
The remaining 60 to 70 percent of applicants must endure the lengthy and complicated Social Security Disability appeal process. For some applicants, this process will take years to complete. Fortunately, for applicants living in the Loveland, Colorado area, hiring a Loveland Social Security Disability attorney can increase your chances of filing a successful disability application or, if necessary, a successful disability appeal.
About Loveland, Colorado
Loveland has been nominated as one of the greatest places to live by a number of leading magazines including USA Today and Money Magazine. The area attracts a number of talented artists and, as such, is home to a variety of art galleries. The City of Loveland also serves as a major business center for the northern Colorado area. The median household income in Loveland is approximately $47,000 and the cost of living index is approximately 2 percent lower than the national average.
There are approximately 56,000 individuals receiving Social Security Disability benefits in the State of Colorado. The average monthly Social Security benefit payment in Colorado is $1,063.80. Unfortunately, it will take the average Loveland disability applicant more than two years to begin receiving disability benefits from the Social Security Administration.
This is largely due to the fact that the majority of initial applications for Social Security Disability benefits are denied and the appeal process is lengthy and time consuming. Fortunately, hiring a Loveland Social Security lawyer can increase your chances of a successful application or appeal and may actually reduce the amount of time it takes to appeal the SSA's decision to deny your disability benefits.
Although most people do not hire a Loveland Social Security Disability attorney to help them with the initial stage of the application process, doing so may help your application fall among the 30 percent of applications that are approved during the initial stage of the Social Security Disability claim process.
Your lawyer will be able guide you in providing the Social Security Administration with the information that will be needed to approve you for benefits and may offer advice on how to present your application in the best light possible.
If your initial application for disability benefits is denied by the SSA, being represented by a Loveland Social Security Disability lawyer can increase your chances of filing a successful appeal. The appeal process can be confusing and stressful, not to mention very lengthy. A Loveland disability attorney can walk you through the appeal process and will prepare your disability case for disability determination services and your hearing before an administrative law judge. Statistics have shown that individuals who have legal representation during the hearing stage of the appeal process are more likely to win their appeal than individuals who choose to represent themselves.
When your Loveland disability lawyer takes your case and prepares for your appeal, he or she will begin to gather all of the medical records that will be needed to prove your disability to the Social Security Administration. Your attorney may ask you to go for further medical testing and will gather statements and testimonies from medical experts to strengthen your case.
Your Loveland Social Security attorney will also be able to provide you with advice regarding what to do at your hearing, how to answer questions and how to respond to the judge who is overseeing your hearing. It is estimated that two-thirds of appeals are won at the hearing stage of the Social Security Disability claim process, however, having proper legal representation may be crucial to the outcome of your case. Statistics have shown that claimants who have proper legal representation at their hearing have a better chance of a favorable hearing outcome than those who attempt to represent themselves.
Many people worry that they will not be able to afford the services of a Loveland Social Security lawyer. The fact of the matter is that it is surprisingly affordable to obtain proper legal representation for your disability case. Loveland Social Security Disability attorneys work on a “contingency” basis. When a Loveland Social Security Disability lawyer represents you in your disability claim, he or she will receive either 25 percent of the amount that you receive in back pay from the Social Security Administration or $6,000 (whichever is less). If you do not win your case, your lawyer does not receive any compensation. Because of this, your Loveland disability attorney has a vested interest in winning your case for you.
