At the turn of the 21st century, there were approximately 1.5 million applications made for Social Security disability benefits. Of this number of claims, 47 percent were approved. Fifteen years later, there were over 2.5 million claims, and only 32 percent were approved. These simple statistics prove that the number of claims has risen quite dramatically, but the number of claims that were approved has dropped considerably.
Although 32 percent of all claims were approved, 70 percent were rejected on the initial application and were subject to appeal. The first step in the appeals process is to request that the denial of benefits be reconsidered but rarely does this result in approval. The next step in the process is to request a hearing with an administrative law judge if you have not hired a lawyer in Missouri by this stage, now is the time to do it. The chances of winning your claim are far better when you are represented by a knowledgeable lawyer. No lawyer can guarantee success, but your lawyer can guarantee you that he or she will develop and present your case properly.
It Is Extremely Important to Develop Your Case Properly
The process of applying for Social Security disability benefits is complex; it is not the type of thing that most claimants would know how to deal with, especially when preparing for a hearing. An experienced disability lawyer will have gone through the process many times; he or she is familiar with the process as well as the strict rules and regulations that apply. A disability lawyer in Missouri will know what to expect from the ALJ and know how to deal with vocational experts should they be brought in to question you.
There is no good reason not to hire an experienced lawyer; unlike other layers, Social Security disability lawyers work on contingency, they are paid when they win your claim.
If you believe you are entitled to Social Security disability benefits, contact the Grundy Disability Group, LLC in Missouri to help you prepare your claim. For a free case evaluation, visit http://www.grundydisabilitygroup.com.
