Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are available to people who are unable to work due to a disability. Individuals all over the country rely on these benefits to survive. However, countless other disabled people are denied benefits each year despite being unable to work. This can be a devastating result for someone who is unable to earn a living due to a medical condition. Luckily, the Social Security Administration offers an appeal process for anyone who is denied SSDI or SSI. Below is an overview of Social Security disability appeals. If you’ve been denied SSDI or SSI, please contact a Texas SSDI and SSI attorney as soon as possible.
Initiating an Appeal
You may appeal a Social Security disability medical denial within 60 days of the date of your denial letter. After you file your appeal, your case will be sent to an Office of Hearings Operations. Usually, it takes between 12 and 14 months for the court to schedule a hearing following the receipt of an appeal.
Before the Hearing
Before you attend your appeal hearing, you are required to submit updated medical records to the judge in your case. In addition, you must submit all written evidence to the judge at least five business days prior to your hearing. You may also submit a brief to the judge explaining why your denial was improper.
During the Hearing
During your appeal hearing, the judge in your case will question you regarding your ability to work. After you testify, the judge will question a vocational expert about your ability to work. Next, your Texas SSDI and SSI attorney will be given the opportunity to cross-examine the vocational expert and ask you additional questions to help support your claim for benefits.
Following the Hearing
Upon the conclusion of your hearing, the judge will render a decision within three months. If you are approved for Social Security disability benefits, your Texas SSDI and SSI attorney will provide you with instructions on what to do next. However, even if you’re denied, you can file a new application or file an additional appeal.
Contact Our El Paso SSDI and SSI Attorney
The denial of Social Security disability benefits can be devastating. Therefore, if you’ve been denied SSDI or SSI, you should contact a Texas SSDI and SSI attorney as soon as possible for assistance. When you choose attorney Jon Sipes to handle your Social Security disability benefits appeal, you can rest assured that he will utilize his extensive legal experience and knowledge to help you obtain a just result in your Texas SSDI or SSI case. Jon Snipes regularly helps clients obtain Social Security disability benefits in El Paso and surrounding Texas communities, and he understands what it takes to qualify under the SSDI and SSI programs. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation.