Memphis Delayed SSD Benefits Lawyer
When disabled, it is important to receive your SSD or long-term disability checks in a timely manner. You may have bills to pay, food to put on the table, and as such, delayed benefits can create havoc on your lifestyle and your ability to properly maintain financial obligations. This is especially true if your disability has left you unable to work. Because the Social Security Administration (SSA) handles thousands of new cases every year, and your local SSA office may be overburdened, resulting in delays.
Fortunately, when applying for your SSD benefits, there are certain actions you can take to minimize the chances of delays. For SSD guidance and full-service representation, call Memphis SSD attorney John E. Dunlap today.
Why Social Security Disability Benefits Can Take So Long
Delays in receiving your SSD benefits can occur due to a number of reasons. The biggest issue with Social Security benefits is the sheer multitude of people applying. Every year, nearly three million people apply, and the SSA generally denies about two-thirds of new claims. With online applications and easy-to-file claims, filing is fairly easy; however, getting your initial approval or denial can take anywhere from three to six months. The process is even longer if you’re appealing a denial of benefits, and the most significant delays can occur when waiting for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). With all these components, the average waiting time in Tennessee is just over 12 months.
How to Speed Up a Social Disability Claim
If you want to shorten the waiting time, you’ll need to make your Social Security claim as straightforward and complete as possible. It is essential to have all the paperwork you’ll need, including clear and comprehensive medical evidence showing a SSA-listed disability and your inability to work due to this disability. If you have acquired and submitted enough medical evidence, one thing that you can do is request an “on the record” review (rather than waiting for the appeal hearing). With satisfactory evidence, the ALJ can make a decision without the need for testimony from you or a vocational expert. For an on the record review, visit your local Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR).
Another way to speed up the process is to get an earlier decision from an attorney employed by Social Security. These attorney decisions are available if you can show that Social Security made a mistake.
Can SSD Attorney John E. Dunlap Today
At our Memphis, TN, law office, we are sympathetic of individuals waiting for their SSD benefits. We understand the importance of receiving your benefits in a timely manner. When applying, appealing, or waiting for a decision regarding your benefits, it can be helpful to acquire the counsel of an SSD attorney who fully understands the SSD process and what it takes to submit a successful. For legal representation and guidance, call Memphis SSD lawyer John E. Dunlap today at (901) 320-1603 for a free consultation.