Convincing a Judge That You Are Disabled
You should not lose hope if you were turned down for Social Security disability (SSDI) after a formal Request for Reconsideration. Most people are denied. The next step — a disability hearing before an administrative law judge — is your opportunity to tell your story.
The law firm of Coats & Todd has a very high success rate at this level of appeals. Our attorneys have 40 combined years of experience in Social Security disability law. Based in Richardson, Texas, we have helped applicants in Plano, Richardson, Garland, McKinney, Allen, Irving, the entire Dallas-Fort Worth area, statewide and nationwide. Call us at 1-800-856-1031 for a free consultation.
The Request for Hearing
After your Reconsideration appeal is denied, we will file the Request for Hearing paperwork for you. Your case is assigned to the first available Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), but because of the backlog, it could be 8 to 12 months before your disability hearing.
In the meantime, it is important to keep seeing your doctors and following through on your treatment. Coats & Todd instructs you on how to work with your doctors to get solid documentation of your disability. Our job is to make sure the Social Security Administration has updated information from all your medical providers. Sometimes this additional documentation results in an early "On the Record" decision from the judge, affirming your disability claim without the need for a hearing.
The ALJ Hearing
If your case goes forward, we will contact you again about 20 days before your disability hearing. We prepare you for the types of questions to expect and offer tips for putting your best foot forward when before an Administrative Law Judge. One of our experienced lawyers will be there to represent you.
The hearing takes about one hour. We present the pertinent information to the judge, including any testimony from doctors, experts and family members. The judge will ask questions about your age, education, vocational training and work history, and will ask you to describe your physical or mental disabilities in your own words.
What Happens Next?
The judge does not usually rule at the disability hearing. You will receive a written decision about 90 days later. If the ruling is favorable, it still may take 60 to 120 days for your SSD benefits (or SSI) to begin.
If the judge determines you are not disabled, we will continue the appeals process, starting with the Social Security Appeals Council.
Contact us today to talk with one of our caring and capable attorneys. There is no fee for the initial consultation, and we take no attorney fees unless and until you are approved for disability benefits.
