Friedman Law Firm: Disability Appeal Lawyers

Serving Alabama Statewide: Denied Disability Benefits for SSDI and SSI Claims

Navigating the Social Security Appeals Process

When your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim is denied, it can feel discouraging, but it is not the end of the process. The majority of initial applications are denied, often due to missing medical evidence, errors, or a misunderstanding of how to navigate the process.

The Application Process

The Social Security Disability application process involves submitting an initial application to the Social Security Administration (SSA), either online, by phone, or in person. You will need to provide detailed information about your medical condition, work history for SSDI benefits. For SSI benefits you will need to submit supporting documentation and information on your assets and income.

We have experience obtaining benefits for people with a vast range of disabling conditions including but not limited to:

back injuries
fibromyalgia and other chronic pain conditions
arthritis
diabetes
heart disease
clinical depression
bipolar disorder

The Disability Appeals Process

The hearings and appeals process allows for additional opportunities to present your case on why you should not have been denied for Social Security benefits.

The Four Stages of Appeal

Reconsideration:
After a claim denial, the first step is to request reconsideration. At this stage, your claim is reviewed by examiners who were not involved in the initial decision. You can submit new or additional evidence to strengthen your case.
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing:
If reconsideration is unsuccessful, you can request a hearing before an ALJ. This is often the most critical stage, as it provides an in-person opportunity to present your story, clarify your medical situation, and explain how your condition affects your ability to work. You can also present expert testimony at this stage. The ALJ will review all evidence and listen to your testimony before making a decision.
Appeals Council:
If the ALJ denies your claim, you may appeal to the Social Security Appeals Council. The Council reviews the ALJ’s decision for errors in applying the law or evaluating the evidence.
Federal District Court:
The final level of appeal is to file a lawsuit in federal court, where a judge will review whether the ALJ's decision was procedurally correct. It is not a review of the facts or medical evidence.

Having a disability attorney can greatly increase your odds of winning benefits on appeal. The attorneys of Friedman Law firm will stand with our clients through all four stages of appeal, if necessary.

How a Disability Attorney Can Help:

As experienced disability attorneys, we thoroughly review your application and denial letter to identify missing evidence or procedural errors. We will review and gather any additional medical records, work history details, and other documentation that may have been overlooked, but are needed to support your claim. Our attorneys will also review any relevant information on your education and work history that could affect your eligibility for benefits.

Our attorneys will prepare you for the ALJ hearing if your claim has been denied at the reconsideration stage. We will do our best to ensure that you can provide clear, compelling testimony about your condition and its impact on your daily life. This can include key factors such as your age, physical and/or mental limitations, side effects of medications, and other factors that can affect your ability to work.

At every stage, we advocate for your rights, present your case effectively, and help you navigate the complex SSA rules and procedures.

Back Pay

If your disability claim is denied but then you win benefits on appeal, you can receive benefits for the time you would have received them had your claim initially been approved. This is known as back pay. When your claim is won on appeal, you will receive back pay dating back to five months after the onset of your disability. Back pay isn't always automatically awarded, but the disability lawyers of Friedman Law Firm will fight to make sure you receive all of the back pay that you should have received from the time you were eligible.

Contingency fee

Friedman Law Firm works on a contingency basis, this means that you only pay if your appeal is successful. We offer a free case assessment and there are no retainers or money-down attorney fees.

Having a knowledgeable attorney by your side increases your chances of success by ensuring your claim is properly documented, deadlines are met, and your case is presented as strongly as possible. If you are facing a denial, consider reaching out for a free case evaluation to discuss your options and next steps.

Reach out to request a free consultation,contact our Birmingham law firm today.