We may be able to assist you if your initial claim for disability benefits or your reconsideration is denied. When you receive a denial, contact us immediately. Remember, you only have 60 days to appeal. The sooner you get to us the sooner we can help. If you miss the appeal deadline, you may have to start all over again.
There is no charge for our services and we do not charge a fee if you win your case. You will be responsible for paying for the evidence you need. This includes medical records, doctor's reports, special examinations, and any other documentation needed to show that you are legally disabled.
On average, it takes 1-2 years to complete the disability appeals process. We can help you file your appeals, tell you what evidence you need to strengthen your case, and represent you before an administrative law judge if necessary.
We accept cases at the initial, reconsideration, and hearing levels. However, we generally don't take cases that are already assigned to a judge and your hearing date is within 60 days of the day you contact us. Therefore, it is very important that you contact as early possible if you want representation. Don't wait until your claim is assigned to a judge and issued a hearing date!
If you're charged with a Social Security and/or SSI overpayment, we may be able to help. 0ur criteria for accepting overpayment cases is different from disability cases.
First, the overpayment can't be your fault. "Fault" means that you knew or should have known that Social Security overpaid you.
Second, you must show that it will be a hardship for you to repay the overpayment. "Hardship" means that you need essentially all of your income and resources to meet common, everyday living expenses.
Finally, the demand for help with disability cases sometimes prevents us from accepting overpayment cases. If that happens, we may be able to provide you with advice regarding the merit of your case, and we have an overpayment self-help booklet that may help you solve the problem yourself.
As with all Social Security problems, there is a limited appeal period when you're charged with an overpayment.
In some cases you must appeal within a ten (10) or thirty (30) day period or Social Security will stop your check or reduce the amount it pays you each month. Read the notice of overpayment carefully. If you have to appeal within 10 or 30 days, go to Social Security first! ask for a reconsideration and/or a waiver of the overpayment, but do not admit that the overpayment was your fault. Then contact us for more information regarding your appeal.
Hint: Social Security will automatically waive an overpayment when the amount is $700.00 or less. All you have to do is ask. Also, if you have to repay an overpayment, Social Security may arrange a repayment plan to fit your budget - sometimes as little as $10.00 per month (the rules differ a bit depending on the type of benefits you receive and the amount of the overpayment).
