Denver SSDI Claims
Filing a claim for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits could prove to be stressful. Those who apply for benefits suffer from disabilities that prevent them from working to support themselves and their families. SSDI income benefits could make a huge difference in a family’s ability to function after suffering a setback.
Unfortunately, SSDI claims are often denied not just once, but multiple times. However, there are numerous opportunities for reconsideration or appeal of an SSDI claim. Persistence often pays off when it comes to Denver SSDI claims. Call today and set up a consultation with a seasoned SSDI lawyer.
Filing a Claim for SSDI
The SSDI program is operated by the Social Security Administration (SSA), although some claims are processed in conjunction with state agencies. To file a claim, an applicant may schedule an appointment to meet with the agency at the field office in Denver or to apply by telephone. Applicants may also file online through the SSA website.
At the time of filing, the applicant should be prepared to submit information such as:
- Summaries of job duties and employment experience
- W-2 forms or tax returns
- Social Security number
- Medical records from doctors, hospitals, and therapists
- Contact information for medical caregivers
- Information regarding medication
- Medical test results
The agency would need to receive enough information to demonstrate that the applicant meets the criteria to be considered disabled.
Satisfying Disability Criteria
Applicants must show that they are unable to perform previous work and unable to adapt to new employment due to their medical condition. Furthermore, they must show that the condition causing their disability is expected to last for at least a year or to result in death.
Work Criteria
Applicants must also satisfy work requirements. They must have earned sufficient work credits to qualify, and approximately half of the work credits must have been earned within recent years. The precise requirements vary depending on the age of the applicant at the time of becoming disabled.
The Progress of Denver SSDI Claims
After a worker submits a claim for SSDI benefits, agency staff members review the information and may contact medical providers for further details. If the reviewing staff determines that the application does not demonstrate the qualifications needed to receive benefits, they may deny the application. The applicant may then ask for a reconsideration by different staff members.
If the reconsideration results in a denial, the applicant may request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The judges who conduct hearings on Denver SSDI claims may be located in Denver or may hear the case remotely via teleconference. Many judges do not apply the agency standards as strictly as SSA staff that made the initial decision. This means that applicants who were denied SSDI benefits at first may be granted benefits after the judge reviews their case.
SSDI claims denied after a hearing may be appealed for review by the SSA Appeals Council. If the Council declines to review the case or denies the claim, the applicant may continue to appeal by filing a lawsuit in federal district court.
Get Help with Denver SSDI Claims
The claims process for SSDI is complex. Because SSA is so strict about how an applicant demonstrates eligibility for benefits, many applicants choose to work with an experienced SSDI attorney when filing a claim or appealing a denial.
Denver SSDI claims may proceed through numerous stages before the applicant is finally awarded benefits. Claims that are backed by well-prepared evidence, including statements from doctors and other experts familiar with disability standards, often stand a greater chance of receiving a successful decision. For help with preparing a claim, it is wise to consult a knowledgeable SSDI lawyer.
