Whether or not you hire a Michigan Social Security Disability attorney to represent you in your appeal is entirely up to you. While you can go it alone, statistics show that people who are represented by attorneys have been more successful and are awarded benefits more often than those who represent themselves.
Before you make this very important decision, take the time to consider how an attorney might benefit you. An experienced Michigan Social Security Disability Attorney will assist you by:
Communicating with the Social Security Administration- A lawyer will handle all communication with the Social Security Administration regarding your claim. This includes obtaining documents from your file, requesting information, responding to correspondence requests, all telephone communications, and all scheduling. When appropriate, a lawyer will also assist you by requesting that a prior application for benefits be reopened, seeking time limit waivers, requesting consultative examinations, etc.
Gathering Medical Evidence- A lawyer will take care of ordering and reviewing all your medical records and gathering other important evidence.
Communicating with Treating Doctors- A lawyer will contact your doctors, when appropriate, to obtain records and reports that are consistent with SSA regulations.
Understanding your Medical Background – A lawyer with experience reviewing medical records will be an invaluable resource for you in your quest for Social Security disability benefits. If you are like most people, you may find that trying to read a medical record is like trying to read a foreign language. An attorney with experience reviewing medical records will be able to explain your records to you and help you understand their relationship to your disability claim.
No Attorney Fee Unless You Are Awarded Benefits- You may think that you can’t afford to hire a lawyer to help you with your claim. The good news is that some lawyers who handle Social Security disability claims work on a contingency basis. This means that you pay the lawyer nothing unless your claim is won. Additionally, the there is a cap on the fee an attorney can charge and all fees must be approved by the SSA.
If you cannot work because of a medical condition and have been denied Social Security disability benefits, you are probably feeling discouraged and exhausted. Now is not the time to give up! Many disability claims are denied originally and then won on appeal. Once you have been denied benefits, you only have a limited time to request a hearing before an administrative law judge. If you decide to hire an attorney to represent you, the sooner you do it the better. It is very important to arrange for representation as early as possible to give your Social Security Disability attorney time to properly prepare for your hearing.
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