A disability can make it impossible to earn a living and provide for your family. If you are unable to work due to a physical ailment or mental health condition, Social Security Disability benefits can provide much-needed financial relief.
However, applying for these benefits can be difficult. Most applicants are initially denied, resulting in a lengthy appeals process. Hiring an experienced Social Security disability lawyer can significantly increase your chances of approval.
Marc Whitehead & Associates assists clients nationwide who are applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or appealing a previous denial. Learn how we can help you during a free, no-obligation consultation.
Your Social Security Disability Lawyers
If you are seeking SSDI benefits, Marc Whitehead & Associates is prepared to guide you through the legal process. Founding partner Marc Whitehead is board-certified in Social Security Disability law by the National Board of Social Security Disability Advocacy.
We handle cases from the initial application stage through administrative law judge (ALJ) hearings and federal court. This sets us apart from other firms since not all Social Security disability advocates have this capability.
When you trust us with your case, your attorney will remain with you throughout the application and appeal process and advocate on your behalf for the disability benefits you need.
For a free legal consultation with a Disability lawyer serving Houston, call 800-562-9830
Paying for Qualified Legal Counsel
The Social Security Administration (SSA) sets the fees for representation in these cases, so it won’t cost you any more to have a Board Certified Social Security Disability Lawyer representing you.
We handle disability claims on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid when we win your case. Your initial consultation is completely free, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Houston Social Security Disability Lawyer Near Me 800-562-9830
Don’t Give Up After a Denial! Most Cases Are Won on Appeal
The biggest mistake disabled people make after receiving an SSDI denial letter is not filing an appeal or not submitting it in time. The truth is that the majority of applicants who properly appeal their case eventually win. The key to winning is to hire an SSDI lawyer and keep appealing.
Here’s how we can help:
- During the reconsideration stage of the appeals process, we can submit additional evidence that was missing during the initial determination.
- At the administrative law judge hearing, we are able to present witness testimony, cross-examine the government’s expert witnesses, and argue your case to the judge.
- Once we have exhausted all administrative Social Security appeals, we can take your case to federal court.
Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through each stage of your case, ensuring your rights are protected and that your inability to perform gainful activity is accurately represented in your claim.
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Proving You Have an Impairment
The SSA evaluates your claim by focusing on your capacity to perform basic work-related activities. That said, your limitations must have a basis in either a physical disability or a mental condition.
When the SSA reviews your case, they will compare your condition to those on their master list called the Listing of Impairments, or “Blue Book.”
SSA views these impairments as severe enough to prevent you from working full-time. If your condition meets or exceeds the strict criteria for a medical listing, you are likely eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
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Medical-Vocational Allowances
Completing the complicated rules published by the SSA for medical listings can be difficult. However, you may be awarded benefits based on a medical-vocational allowance.
A medical-vocational allowance considers your
- Age
- Education
- Work skills
- Level of functional limitation
In fact, most Social Security Disability claims that are approved for benefits are based on a medical-vocational allowance.
What If Your Condition Is Not listed on the SSA’s Listing?
Not all disabling conditions are included on the SSA Listing of Impairments. For example, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue are not listed. In such cases, you must prove that your disability has made it impossible for you to maintain gainful employment.
The key is presenting a claim that includes sufficient medical records, the necessary input from your doctors, and vocational evidence, which together prove you are an eligible applicant.
Why Are Most Disability Accidents Denied?
Most claimants have no idea how to evaluate their medical records or what questions to ask their doctors.
They also have no way of knowing what an examiner or an ALJ will look for with a particular medical condition or how to prepare their case for a hearing.
Dealing with a government bureaucracy like the Social Security Administration is difficult, and it is especially hard on those struggling with disabilities. That’s why it pays to work with a qualified SSDI lawyer.
Hiring an Attorney Increases Your Chances of Approval
While it may seem unfair that you need to hire an attorney to win the benefits you need, this is the reality of Social Security’s complicated disability claims process.
Less than one of every three claims not represented by an attorney gets approved. However, with attorney representation, the number of successful Social Security Disability claims doubles.
Partnering with one of our lawyers will set you up for success and help you avoid making common mistakes during the application process.
We Can Work to Help You Get Approved for Disability Benefits
The basis for winning your case is the accurate preparation of the application and the detailed presentation of your medical evidence of a physical condition or mental disorder. Our attorneys and legal staff excel in these areas and leave no details unattended.
For each claim we handle, we bring:
- Knowledge: Our experienced attorneys know what it takes to win your claim and what the SSA is looking for.
- Collaboration: We help your doctors and other medical providers prepare their medical evidence effectively.
- Preparation: We help present new evidence, both medical and vocational, and we thoroughly prepare you for disability hearings.
- Presentation: We will demonstrate exhibits and documentation to the administrative judge in a way that substantiates your claim.
- Advocacy: Medical or vocational witnesses may challenge you at the hearing. You need an experienced legal advocate to defend your case.
- Urgency: We will help you avoid delays that could undermine your case.
- Our reputation: With over 20 years of helping claimants, we are known and respected for excellent communication with the Social Security Administration.
Also, unlike non-attorney representatives, our licensed disability lawyers will remain with you throughout the appeals process and represent you in federal court if needed.
What We Do to Win Your Disability Case
Every client is different and has unique needs. As your attorneys, we can help in the following ways:
- Aid in filling out all SSA forms.
- Evaluate your claim and advise you on the law and your options.
- Review your medical records and make suggestions for any additional testing needed to prove your case.
- Supplement your claim file with additional medical records.
- File any necessary appeals and handle all SSA paperwork, such as sending your claim to Disability Determination Services (DDS).
- Obtain medical reports and opinion evidence regarding your physical or mental disorder.
- Consult with qualified vocational experts to get opinion evidence rebutting the ALJ.
- Obtain and develop evidence regarding your “residual functional capacity,” which is the key to your disability claim.
- Correctly calculate your Social Security benefits.
- File a legal brief arguing the legal, medical, and vocational issues in your case.
- File a lawsuit in federal district court if necessary.
- File your motion for summary judgment and respond to the government’s motion for summary judgment filed against you.
When you need help with an application, hearing, or appeal, talk to one of our Social Security Disability attorneys. Your initial consultation is free, and we don’t charge upfront for our legal services.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Disability
Federal programs, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), play a crucial role in providing financial assistance and support to disabled individuals who are unable to work due to long-term impairments.
In order to qualify for SSDI, your condition must be expected to last for an extended period (at least 12 months). However, some states have short-term disability programs, and some workers have private insurance policies that cover long-term disabilities.
Our personal injury lawyers have a deep understanding of the various disability programs and are equipped to handle complex cases. Whatever your situation, we are here to answer your questions and guide you through your next steps.
Contact Our Social Security Disability Law Firm
If you’re facing the challenges of securing Social Security Disability benefits and need to prove you are unable to engage in gainful activity, don’t navigate this journey alone. Reach out to Mark Whitehead & Associates today.
Our dedicated team of Social Security Disability lawyers has extensive experience in the disability application process and will give your case the personalized attention it needs.
Let us help you understand your rights, build a strong initial claim or appeal, and fight for the benefits you deserve. Call now or fill out the online contact form to schedule your initial consultation.
Call or text 800-562-9830 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
