At Hughes & Coleman, we understand how frustrating it can be when a disability interferes with your daily routine. When you are no longer able to work enough in Murfreesboro to care for your necessities, you may experience great stress – both financial and otherwise.
Perhaps you submitted an application for Social Security Disability benefits in Murfreesboro, TN, but your claim was denied. Receiving a denial notice from the Social Security Administration can definitely increase any feelings of irritation already resulting from disability.
If you are unsure of your eligibility for SSD benefits, talk to Hughes & Coleman’s Murfreesboro, TN, Social Security Disability legal team at 800-800-4600 for a free consultation session. An experienced Murfreesboro Social Security Disability attorney with our firm can help to lessen your frustration by providing you legal assistance.
Questions About Columbia SSD Benefits
In Tennessee, more than 1,400,000 people receive benefits from Social Security. This includes about 22 percent of the population of Rutherford county.
In Murfreesboro, the entire approval process can be intimidating and confusing to say the least. That is why it is important to consult a disability attorney as soon as you can. Please note our answers to the following questions, which you may be wondering regarding SSD.
Can I apply for Social Security disability benefits?
In order to be eligible for benefits from SSD, you must:
- Be mentally or physically disabled
- Have a disability that is likely to last for 12 months or more or result in death
- Have paid enough money into the Social Security system
How long is the process and when is the best time for me to apply for SSD Benefits?
You should apply as quickly as possible if your disability is expected to last more than 12 months. Receiving an initial decision from the Social Security Administration regarding your claim can take between 3 to 6 months.
Currently, in Tennessee, the average case processing time, including appeals, is 400 days. Some of the reasons for the delay are missing paperwork, lack of medical records, and an increasing number of applicants. Thus, starting the process early is wise.
If my application was denied, can I reapply?
You can and should appeal any denial you get. In fact, about 70 percent of initial requests are not approved. Some of the reasons for initial rejection include: the applicant does not have sufficient medical evidence, is not cooperating, or simply makes too much money. An attorney can help you dispute these arguments, but you must act quickly and decisively; the deadline for filing an appeal is 60 days.
What is involved in the appeals process?
The appeals process consists of four phases. In the first step, your case will be reviewed by a different examiner. Second, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing, involves arguing your case in court before a judge. Third, you request that the Appeals Council examine your case, and make a decision. Finally, the last step involves filing a lawsuit in Federal Court. Social Security Disability lawyers can assist to smooth out the entire procedure.
Should I retain a Columbia SSD lawyer to represent me?
Strictly speaking, a lawyer is not required to file your claim. Nevertheless, according to statistics, you can significantly increase your approval rate by hiring an attorney experienced with SSD cases. Since an experienced SSD lawyer knows the process well, he or she would present strong arguments for your claim, and assist in preparing for any appeals. The sooner you hire a SSD lawyer, the better your chances are for approval.
Contact Our Murfreesboro SSD Attorneys For a Free Consultation
Since it’s likely that you have been paying Social Security taxes for years, it’s only fair that you get SSD benefits to help with your living expenses. However, you can see how frustrating the process can be for applying for disability benefits from Social Security in Murfreesboro. You can decrease your potential anxiety, though, by working with a lawyer at our law firm who knows the process well enough to make everything go smoothly.
Many people in Murfreesboro, start the process alone and later discover that it’s proving to be a real challenge to receive benefits on your own. But you don’t have to do it alone when time is running out – get help immediately. Seeking personal assistance from a knowledgeable Murfreesboro Social Security Disability lawyer increases your chance of success.
Any time day or night, call Hughes & Coleman’s Murfreesboro Social Security Disability legal team at 800-800-4600 for a free consultation.
