Applying for benefits through the often-complex Social Security Disability (SSD) system is challenging and frustrating for many individuals. It can seem impossible to keep up with mounting bills and medical debt, from claim denials to lengthy forms. If you struggle to get the benefits you need, our Prestonsburg Social Security disability attorney will fight for your legal rights.
Hicks Law Firm has a long-standing history of assisting clients throughout Kentucky to achieve favorable outcomes on their behalf. If you decide to work with us, we will preserve evidence, provide ongoing counsel, and present a powerful case to the Social Security Administration (SSA) on your behalf. Learn more by scheduling your free consultation with us today.
Do You Qualify for Social Security Disability?
The SSA has stringent criteria for determining who qualifies for disability benefits. Qualifying requires you to meet specific medical and non-medical requirements. Hicks Law Firm has extensive experience in helping clients build strong cases that speak to the facts of their valid medical conditions.
Our Prestonsburg Social Security disability lawyer will help you determine if you meet the following requirements:
- Requirement 1. Severe physical or mental impairment: Your condition must be serious enough that it limits your ability to work. It must also have lasted or expected to last for at least 12 months.
- Requirement 2. Substantial gainful activity (SGA) deficits: A severe medical condition alone does not qualify you for benefits. You must also be below a certain income threshold.
- Requirement 3. Sufficient work credits: You must have also worked long enough and recently paid Social Security taxes on your earnings. The work credits you need depend on the age at which you became disabled.
The above-referenced requirements are crucial when seeking Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. Our legal team will help you through every step while presenting your case in a favorable light.
Understanding the Social Security Disability Process
The SSD process can be lengthy and complicated. According to SSA data, over 67 percent of claims result in a denial, making the process even longer by involving multiple stages, such as the appeals process. Our Prestonsburg Social Security disability lawyer will avoid all legal errors during the initial application phase to support the most efficient path toward getting you benefits.
Hicks Law Firm has helped clients through the application and appeals phases with the SSA as outlined below:
Step #1. The Initial Application Phase
Applying for SSA benefits starts with an application. You must also provide detailed records about your medical condition, employment history, and financial situation. If you hire us, we will work with your doctors so that your medical records accurately reflect the seriousness of your medical condition and its impact on your work.
Step #2. The Reconsideration Phase
If your initial SSD application receives a denial, our attorney will request an immediate reconsideration with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This phase also involves working with another examiner to review your case for a different determination. However, the ALJ may also reach the same conclusion as the examiner did during the initial application phase.
Step #3. The Hearing Phase
If the reconsideration examiner denies your claim, we Prestonsburg SSDI claim denial lawyer will demand a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). This hearing is a more formal proceeding where our Social Security disability lawyer in Prestonsburg will present your case. The ALJ will review your case thoroughly and make a ruling based on evidence and arguments.
Step #4. The Appeals Council Review
We will request an immediate review from the Appeals Council if the ALJ denies your SSD claim. The Appeals Council may review your case or return it to the ALJ for further reconsideration. Regardless of the outcome, you can be sure that Hicks Law Firm will present a strong case on your behalf.
Step #5. The Federal Court Review
There is one final option available if all other appeals are unsuccessful. You might be able to file a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the SSA’s decision. While cases rarely get to this level of scrutiny, we will hold the SSA accountable for your legal rights so that you get the benefits you need.
Our legal team does not shy away from the legal process. From medical history documentation management to arguing before a federal judge, Hicks Law Firm possesses unrelenting tenacity that achieves results.
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Claim Your Free ConsultationHow Our Prestonsburg Social Security Disability Lawyer Will Help
Hicks Law Firm will help you navigate the intricacies of the SSD/SSDI system if you hire us for your case. Attorney Hicks will also provide the following:
- Communication with the SSA: We will handle all mail and telephone communication with the SSA on your behalf while ensuring you meet all deadlines.
- Evidence preservation: We will help you preserve all application—and appeals-related documentation, including medical records, to support your disability claim.
- Extensive case evaluations: We will carefully review your medical records, work history, and more to assess the strength of your claim and determine a course of recommended action.
It is crucial to apply for SSD disability benefits as soon as you become disabled. The SSA has a five-month waiting period before you can receive benefits, so ensure you get legal advice early on in your medical history. Our legal team is ready to pursue benefits that compensate you fairly.
Why Choose Hicks Law Firm for Your SSD Claim?
At Hicks Law Firm, we provide personalized and empathetic legal representation to individuals and families seeking SSD benefits. This process may be a challenging endeavor for you and your loved ones to undertake, underscoring the importance of our team to support and guide you through every turn.
Our Social Security disability attorney in Prestonsburg also delivers the following services:
- Attention: Our legal team will spend time understanding your situation and tailoring our legal tactics to meet your goals.
- Experience: We have experience handling SSD claims and are familiar with the SSA’s rules and regulations that apply to your claim.
- Guidance: We understand the challenges of having a disability and will provide compassionate and supportive legal advice throughout your work with us.
Contact Hicks Law Firm for a Free Consultation Today
You do not have to navigate the SSD system alone. Put the power of our Prestonsburg Social Security disability lawyer on your side. Contact Hicks Law Firm today for a free consultation to start getting answers about your legal options and rights.