Thousands of Lauderhill, Florida residents pay taxes into the Social Security system. These taxes are taken directly from each paycheck that they receive and because these workers pay into this program, they assume that Social Security Disability benefits will be there for them if they should ever need them.
The only problem is, actually obtaining Social Security Disability benefits is often easier said than done. In fact, nearly 70 percent of the initial disability claims filed with the SSA are denied each year. These denied applicants must then appeal the SSA’s decision to deny their benefits – a process that can take more than two years to complete. How can you avoid the need for a long and drawn-out disability appeal? If you live in the Lauderhill, Florida area, your best bet is to retain the services of a Lauderhill Social Security Disability attorney.
Lauderhill, Florida has an interesting history. The town was developed as a residential community comprised of “off-the-shelf” houses that homebuyers could purchase at the famous Macy’s department store. An interested homebuyer could go to their local Macy’s store and purchase a home “package” that would include a home ranging from 730 to 1,200 square feet and all of the furniture, appliances, artwork and houseware needed to furnish the home.
At the time, the packages ranged from $13,000 to $17,000. Currently, the median home cost in Lauderhill is $136,200. The median household income is approximately $40,000 per year and the cost of living index is approximately 10 percent higher than the national average.
Applying for Lauderhill Social Security Disability Benefits
Lauderhill, Florida is home to approximately 67,000 residents. It can take an average of 2 years for a Lauderhill, Florida Social Security Disability applicant to complete the disability claim and appeal process. While the initial application process only takes three to six months to complete, only about 30 percent of applications are approved during the initial stage of the application process.
The remaining 70 percent of applicants must file an appeal in order to be approved for Social Security Disability benefits. This means attending a hearing before an administrative law judge. Because the administrative law judges who hear these cases have such a large backlog of cases to hear, it takes Lauderhill, Florida residents approximately 392 days to obtain a hearing date from the date of their hearing request.
When an applicant has to wait more than a year to have their case heard before an administrative law judge, it is crucial that everything go perfectly when they actually obtain their court date. The last thing an applicant wants is to wait more than a year to see the judge and then make a mistake at the hearing, which results in a denial of benefits. This is why hiring a Lauderhill Social Security attorney is crucial to the success of your disability case.
Hiring a Lauderhill Disability Attorney
A Lauderhill disability attorney can help you gather the information that will be needed to file a successful claim for disability benefits. This professional will also help you present your application to the Social Security Administration in the best light possible, increasing your chances of a favorable decision regarding your claim. If your initial application for disability benefits is denied by the SSA, a Lauderhill disability lawyer can help you file a successful Social Security Disability appeal.
If your application for Social Security Disability benefits has already been denied, it is important to understand that time is of the essence. You need to contact a Lauderhill Social Security Disability attorney as soon as possible to appeal the SSA's decision to deny your benefits. You only have 60 days from the date the SSA denies your application to file an appeal. You will want to give your lawyer as much time as possible to gather the evidence necessary to support your claim and submit the proper paperwork to the SSA.
When hiring a Lauderhill Social Security Disability lawyer, the first thing your lawyer will do is determine whether or not you meet the SSA's qualifying disability criteria. Your lawyer will discuss your work history with you and will go over the details that pertain to your disability case.
After your Lauderhill Social Security attorney has reviewed your claim for benefits, he or she will decide which of the SSA’s disability programs you qualify for.
Once your attorney has the information that is needed to pursue your disability case, he or she will file the necessary appeal paperwork with the SSA. The first stage of appeals is called a Request for Reconsideration. It is important to understand that the majority of appeals are denied at this stage of the appeal process.
However, during the hearing stage of the appeal process, nearly two-thirds of cases are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. Your chances of a successful hearing outcome are significantly increased when you are represented by a Lauderhill disability attorney.
If you are interested in obtaining an evaluation of your Social Security Disability case, click here for your free Social Security Disability evaluation or to get more information about hiring a Lauderhill disability lawyer.
For more on qualifying for disability benefits in Florida, see How To Qualify For Disability In Florida.
