The Social Security Administration (SSA) denies many initial applications for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Fortunately for disabled employees in Milton who need income to make up for lost wages, the application process provides four opportunities to appeal a denial.
One of these opportunities is a Milton SSDI hearing, which is a disabled worker’s last chance to demonstrate their eligibility for benefits by presenting new evidence to support their claim. It is wise to let an experience Social Security disability law firm help you make the most of a hearing before an administrative law judge.
However, it is worth noting that additional appeals can be made if the outcome of a hearing is unsatisfactory. To ensure your chances of success, you should consider speaking with a diligent legal advocate from our firm before attending your hearing.
Demonstrating Eligibility for SSDI
To qualify for SSDI benefits, applicants must prove that they meet work history and disability requirements. A worker must have paid Social Security income taxes for approximately ten years, and at least five of those years must be recent to earn work credits that qualify them for SSDI benefits. Applicants who suffer disabilities at a younger age would not need as many work credits to qualify.
Demonstrating that an applicant meets the disability requirement is usually more challenging than proving work credit eligibility. Milton SSDI hearings often center on the severity of an applicant’s impairment. It is essential to establish that the worker’s total disability prevents them from working for at least one year. To do so, it is usually necessary to provide not only medical records and test results but also the opinion of a physician explaining how the disabling condition prevents the employee from continuing to work.
Submission of Evidence
A Milton SSDI hearing is a claimant’s last chance to submit evidence of their disability. Any further appeals in the event of a subsequent denial would be based on the administrative process that was used to deliver the rejections. If there are any errors in the way SSA staff members evaluated an application, the administrative law judge may decide to approve the claim for disability benefits.
For the best chances of success, an applicant should submit all new evidence within ten days of receiving notice of the hearing date. The SSA recommends sending evidence as soon as possible but no later than five business days before the hearing.
Hearing Procedures
Although the SSDI hearing in Milton is not as formal as a courtroom trial, it is an official government procedure, and the applicant and all witnesses would be speaking under oath. In many cases, the government will bring medical or vocational witnesses to testify on their behalf.
Let Our Team Prepare You for a Milton SSDI Hearing
The outcome of a Milton SSDI hearing can have a tremendous impact on an applicant’s future. While the hearing is considered an informal procedure, it is wise to prepare thoroughly.
Advice from a steadfast hearing claims advocate can make a substantial difference in being able to demonstrate your eligibility for benefits. If the administrative law judge returns an unfavorable ruling, you may request a review by the Appeals Council. After that, an appeal may also be filed in federal court. Call our team today for more information on this process.
