SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY: STANDING BETWEEN YOU AND THE GOVERNMENT
advocate, (n) - someone who stands for another and pleads his case;
someone who argues in favor of another's point of view, as an attorney
or defense counselor
A disability advocate is a trained professional capable of dealing with the US Government on behalf of disabled individuals who have applied, or wish to apply, for Social Security disability benefits.
Why is an advocate needed? First, because the laws and regulations regarding Social Security benefits are so massive and complex. Social Security disability claims are governed partly by the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 404. They are also governed by the Social Security Act itself, including dozens of amendments. If your application does not meet the specific requirements established for disability, it will be denied. 70 percent of all disability applications filed in Alabama are denied by Social Security.
Another reason you need an advocate is understanding the procedural order of the Social Security system. Procedures are governed by POMS and HALLEX, administrative procedural guides that contain thousands of pages of information. Using the incorrect procedure can waste enormous amounts of time and delay benefits.
Also, 70 percent of disability applications in Alabama will go to a hearing before benefits are awarded. These cases are heard by US administrative law judges. In most cases, either a vocational expert or a medical expert (doctor) - and sometimes both - will be called by Social Security to testify. In my estimation, most of the disability cases that are lost are because of testimony involving one of these experts.
You need someone to stand between you and the Government in a Social Security disability case. 90 percent of claimants today are represented. There is simply too much at stake not to be represented. A professional advocate or attorney cannot charge you a fee unless you win your case and also collect back pay.
Should you hire an advocate off an 800 number on the TV? Do you want an advocate who is local to your area? Do you want to meet your advocate before the day of the hearing? When you call your advocate, do you want your call to be answered by him or by a national call center 1,500 miles away?
For more answers to your Social Security disability questions, please GO TO OUR WEBSITE, or call us at (256) 799-0297 here in Huntsville. We are the Forsythe Firm, and we specialize in Social Security disability matters. In fact, it's all we do.
A disability advocate is a trained professional capable of dealing with the US Government on behalf of disabled individuals who have applied, or wish to apply, for Social Security disability benefits.
Why is an advocate needed? First, because the laws and regulations regarding Social Security benefits are so massive and complex. Social Security disability claims are governed partly by the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 404. They are also governed by the Social Security Act itself, including dozens of amendments. If your application does not meet the specific requirements established for disability, it will be denied. 70 percent of all disability applications filed in Alabama are denied by Social Security.
Another reason you need an advocate is understanding the procedural order of the Social Security system. Procedures are governed by POMS and HALLEX, administrative procedural guides that contain thousands of pages of information. Using the incorrect procedure can waste enormous amounts of time and delay benefits.
Also, 70 percent of disability applications in Alabama will go to a hearing before benefits are awarded. These cases are heard by US administrative law judges. In most cases, either a vocational expert or a medical expert (doctor) - and sometimes both - will be called by Social Security to testify. In my estimation, most of the disability cases that are lost are because of testimony involving one of these experts.
You need someone to stand between you and the Government in a Social Security disability case. 90 percent of claimants today are represented. There is simply too much at stake not to be represented. A professional advocate or attorney cannot charge you a fee unless you win your case and also collect back pay.
Should you hire an advocate off an 800 number on the TV? Do you want an advocate who is local to your area? Do you want to meet your advocate before the day of the hearing? When you call your advocate, do you want your call to be answered by him or by a national call center 1,500 miles away?
For more answers to your Social Security disability questions, please GO TO OUR WEBSITE, or call us at (256) 799-0297 here in Huntsville. We are the Forsythe Firm, and we specialize in Social Security disability matters. In fact, it's all we do.
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