Applying for Miami Gardens Social Security Disability Benefits
You would think that people who have a disabling condition and cannot hold down gainful employment would benefit greatly from Social Security disability benefits. The stark realization, however, is that two-thirds of those who attempt to apply for disability benefits will be denied. Often people will end up being denied multiple times, especially if they decide to apply without legal representation.
If you are disabled and cannot find sustainable employment, it’s a good idea to get in contact with a Miami Gardens disability lawyer.
Miami Gardens, Florida was originally a suburb of Miami, located in the northern part of the city. In 2003 it was incorporated as an actual city, and now has a population for 107,167. It is one of the largest cities in Florida that hosts an African-American majority. Miami Gardens is home to the football team the Miami Dolphins, and is also the site of St. Thomas University.
The largest industry of the city is education, health and social services, with the majority of people working in one of these fields. 29% of those living in Miami Gardens who are of working age are disabled, a number far above the national average. Approximately 57% of those are employed. If you are one of the disabled persons who cannot perform work of any sort, you should seek the services of a Miami Gardens Social Security lawyer before you decide to apply for disability benefits.
Hiring a Miami Gardens Disability Attorney
Studies show that your chances of being approved increase dramatically if you have legal representation. Much of the time applications are denied because of incorrectly completed paperwork, or not having the right medical documents available. In order to make sure your application is not denied due to a technicality such as this, your Miami Gardens Social Security disability attorney will complete and submit all relevant paperwork for you. He or she will additionally collect all pertinent medical information and statements from your doctor which are necessary to prove your disability.
Often, with or without legal counsel, you will not be approved for benefits until after a lengthy appeals process. This is the time when a Miami Gardens disability attorney will prove most helpful. The most important part of the appeals process is the hearing in front of an Administrative Judge, because this is where the majority of decisions are overturned in the applicant’s favor. Your Miami Gardens Social Security disability lawyer will prepare for this part of your case by going over common questions the Judge may ask of you.
He or she might also refer you for extra medical testing that can help strengthen your claim, and will call medical experts who can testify on your behalf.
If you are concerned that you won’t be able to afford an attorney, especially when you do not even have a steady income, you needn’t be. Your Miami Gardens Social Security attorney will only receive payment if and when you are approved for benefits.
Once you’ve been approved, you will be sent a check made up of the retroactive benefits owed to you during the months your case was being tried. The SSA will remove $6,000 or 25% of this amount, whichever happens to be less, and will send this directly to your lawyers for compensation.
The application process for disability benefits is long, hard and confusing. Most people are unaware of the bureaucratic red tape that must be broken through in order to be approved for disability pay. This is why it’s so important to have legal aid that is familiar with how the entire process works. Even if you’ve already started the application on your own and have been denied disability, you can still contact a Miami Gardens disability lawyer to help you at any time. To receive a free consultation, simply fill out the form located on this website.
A Miami Gardens Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Monroe County, and Collier County: Carol City, Hialeah, Key Biscayne, Gladesview, Brownsville, West Little River, Tamiami, Doral, Virginia Gardens, Utopia, Pinecrest, Palmetto Bay, Scott Lake, Ives Estates, Fountainbleua, Miramar, Country Club, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Cooper City, The Hammocks, Davie, and Lake Lucerne.
For more on qualifying for disability benefits in Florida, see How To Qualify For Disability In Florida.
