If you live in Union City, can no longer work because of an injury or medical condition, and have worked much at all in the last 10 years, you likely qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Even those who qualify are often denied, however. That’s why our Social Security Disability (SSD) attorneys in Union City are dedicated to getting you the benefits you need and deserve.
At John Foy & Associates, we have a thorough knowledge of exactly how the SSD process goes. Our 20-plus years of experience have allowed us to help countless applicants finally get approved for the regular money they desperately need to live.
What Social Security Disability Means in Union City
Social Security Disability, or SSD, is an insurance program that pays out benefits to disabled individuals (and their families) who qualify. To qualify, you must have:
- A medical condition that prevents you from working anymore
- Worked long enough
- Paid enough into Social Security taxes
Most people have a general understanding of what disability means, but we rarely think it will happen to us. However, according to the Social Security Administration (SSA), studies have shown that over one in four of 20 year-old-years today will be disabled before they are 67.
Social Security is meant to work as a safety net for those who become disabled and can no longer work to support themselves and their families. The problem is that many people fall through the cracks. They get denied benefits even when they meet all the qualifications.
The goal of Union City Social Security Disability lawyers is to help those who have been overlooked. An experienced lawyer knows the most common reasons applications are denied and, most importantly, what you can do to fix the problem and have the best chance at approval.
Four Things to Know If You’re Denied Social Security Disability in Georgia
Applying for SSD benefits and getting denied can be incredibly disheartening. But you are not alone, and there are things you can do if the SSA denies your claim. Here are some things to know.
1. Don’t Lose Hope
You might worry that there is no hope for getting the money you need and no point in trying further, but we want to remind you to not give up. It’s very common for disabled individuals to get denied on the first try, but persistence and the right support can get you the approval you deserve.
2. You Probably Still Qualify
The SSA denies Social Security Disability applications for many different reasons. If you are denied, it does not automatically mean you aren’t qualified. Applications can be denied for reasons like:
- Lack of sufficient evidence of your medical condition
- Other missing information
- Paperwork errors
- Lack of personal information
- Assumptions that you can still work, even when you cannot
Your first call after a denial should be to an experienced SSD lawyer in your area. They can evaluate why your claim was denied and what you can do in response. Many times, there are simple but significant errors that can be fixed with the help of a legal professional.
3. You Should Not Start a New Application
One big mistake people make is beginning an entirely new SSD application after the first one gets denied. This can actually hurt your case.
It’s actually best to go through the appeals process on the original document. Otherwise, the SSA may deny your second application if they see you have already applied and been denied on another one.
4. The Right Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
The Social Security process can be very confusing if you aren’t sure where to turn or what to do next to help your case. A Union City Social Security Disability lawyer can help all the difference. However, you should make sure anyone you work with has extensive knowledge and experience working on SSD cases.
Many lawyers say they take SSD cases, and that is probably true, but you want an attorney who routinely focuses on Social Security litigation (like John Foy & Associates).
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for Social Security Disability?
Something that can keep people from hiring a lawyer that can get them Social Security benefits is the worry that it will cost more than they will get from their claim. You don’t have to worry about that. Not only do you have to pay nothing upfront, but you’re also guaranteed to only owe a small portion of your compensation.
Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we don’t charge anything unless we get you your benefits. Our fees come out of the past-due benefits that you’re owed, and you won’t have to pay anything out of the ongoing benefits that you get in the future. Because you should be able to keep enough compensation to support yourself, the federal government requires lawyers to cap their fees at $6,000 or 25% of your past-due benefits, whichever one is less.
Your lawyer’s fees will obviously depend on the amount of compensation you get, but they’ll also charge more or less depending on the difficulty of your case and the amount of time they have to spend on it. An easier, more straightforward SSD claim will be cheaper than a complicated one where you have to appeal a denial.
Atlanta Roots, Nationwide Reach.
Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
How do I Choose an SSDI Lawyer?
Ultimately, you want a Social Security Disability lawyer who cares about your wellbeing and knows how to handle your case. There are many lawyers who say that they will do their best to help you get benefits, but how many of them are telling the truth?
When choosing an SSDI lawyer, you should look for:
- Experience: The more years a law firm has under its belt, the more likely its lawyers are to have the knowledge they need to get you benefits.
- Approval rate: If an attorney has won full benefits for a majority of their clients, then it’s a good sign that they will successfully represent you.
- Compassion: You want to make sure to find a law firm whose lawyers and staff treat you with respect and kindness. How they treat you will reflect how they will treat your case.
- Free consultations: If a lawyer does not give free consultations, you should be wary–it could mean that they’re not confident or want to hide something from you. You should look for a lawyer who won’t charge for your first consultation.
Our law firm has all four of these qualities. When you hire a John Foy lawyer, you can rest assured that they will have your interests at heart and will be able to handle anything your case entails.
What a Lawyer Can Do for Your SSDI Case
When you first contact an SSD lawyer about your case, they will conduct a consultation to get all the relevant facts about your case. Then, you and the lawyer can discuss how they can help. Most SSD lawyers offer the consultation for free.
If you are getting help with your initial application, your lawyer will make sure it accurately demonstrates the severity of your condition and your full qualifications for disability benefits. On the other hand, if you contact the lawyer for help after being denied, they will begin helping you prepare for the appeals process, which typically begins with a hearing.
The Social Security Disability Appeal Process
There are four levels of appealing an SSD application:
- Reconsideration
- Hearing by an administrative law judge
- Review by the Appeals Council
- Federal Court review
They will determine if you need to undergo further exams, get more testing, or obtain better documentation to prove your medical condition. They’ll help you improve your application before requesting a reconsideration, which you can do online.
If the reconsideration is unsuccessful, your lawyer will help you prepare for the administrative law judge hearing and any other required steps. This will include preparing you for various questions you may face about yourself and your condition during the hearing.
Talk to a Social Security Disability Attorney in Union City, GA for Free
Do not stress yourself out by trying to handle your SSD application process alone. The right attorney support can make all the difference. The Union City Social Security Disability attorneys at John Foy & Associates can provide you with that support and so much more.
Our attorneys have spent the last 20 plus years helping individuals who can no longer work get the benefits they need and deserve. Let us go over the details of your case and how we can help you during a free consultation. Call us or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation and get some answers today.
100% Confidential 
No Fees Unless We Win 
24/7 Support 
