Applying for Duluth Social Security Disability Benefits
Working Americans pay millions of dollars into the Social Security system, but if a Duluth worker becomes disabled and files an application for Social Security disability benefits, they may be in for an unpleasant surprise. This is because approximately 70% of Social Security disability applications are denied.
Although these denials can be appealed, the process is lengthy and the waits can be long. A worker who applies for disability benefits could be forced to live without an income for two years or more while their claim progresses through the Social Security disability appeals process.
If a disabled Minnesota worker files an application for Social Security disability benefits, they’ll wait an average of 3-4 months for a decision. If this decision is a denial, they can file a “Request for Reconsideration.” Only a small percentage of claims are approved at this level, and it will take another 2-4 months for this decision to be issued.
If their claim is again denied, they can appeal that decision by filing a “Request for Administrative Law Judge Hearing.” Although the highest percentage of claims are granted following a Social Security hearing, the wait to actually have a hearing can be lengthy. If you’re applying for disability benefits in the Duluth, Minnesota area, hiring a Duluth Social Security lawyer can improve the chances that your claim will be approved without needing to these multiple appeals. A Duluth disability attorney knows how to emphasize the most important parts of your medical records and present evidence in the way that is most favorable in your situation.
The Duluth area is a regional center for the study of aquatic biology. Duluth also plays a large part in the transportation of coal, steel and agricultural products. The area’s top employers include SMDS Health System, the University of Minnesota-Duluth, Saint Louis County, and Duluth Public Schools. The median household income is $33,766, and the cost of living is slightly lower than the national average.
Approximately 85,000 people reside in Duluth. Around 3.8% of all Minnesota residents are currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, and their average monthly payment is $1,161.
The Social Security Administration office in Minneapolis, Minnesota is responsible for scheduling Administrative Law Judge hearings for Duluth disability applicants. The average Duluth disabled worker waits 276 for their hearing to be scheduled. This is from the date they file their appeal, and doesn’t even include the additional several months they likely waited for their initial and reconsideration level decisions.
Hiring a Duluth Disability Attorney
It can be very difficult for a disabled worker to endure years of waiting after filing a disability claim for Social Security disability benefits. You can minimize the chances of this happening by hiring a Duluth Social Security disability attorney who is familiar with the Social Security claim process and can take every action necessary to help get your application approved as quickly as possible.
In the event that you end up having an administrative law judge hearing, hiring a Duluth disability attorney can ensure that your case is presented in the most effective manner. It’s crucial that the evidence is well-prepared and you know what to expect at your hearing. A Duluth Social Security lawyer can analyze your file and prepare legal arguments demonstrating exactly how you meet the criteria for being found disabled.
If the Social Security Administration hires medical or other experts to testify at your hearing, a disability lawyer knows how to properly cross examine them. There are no guarantees when it comes to the results of a hearing, but Duluth, Minnesota disability applicants can benefit greatly from hiring a Duluth disability attorney.
Fortunately, you don’t need any money to hire a Duluth Social Security disability lawyer. A Minnesota disability lawyer is paid on a contingency basis, which means that there is no upfront cost to hire a Duluth disability lawyer and they are only paid if you receive Social Security disability benefits. Their fee is calculated as 25% of any back benefit payments that you receive, with a maximum fee of $6,000. After a year of receiving disability payments, SSDI recipients are eligible for medicare.
A Duluth Social Security lawyer will also handle disability claims for other Saint Louis county residents, as well as the claims of those residing in nearby Cloquet, Hibbing, Forest Lake, Hunters Park, Eagan, Oneota, and Lester Park.
