Norwalk, Connecticut is a New York metropolitan-area town made up of 24 diverse neighborhoods. Known for its prominent oyster farms, Norwalk is home to nearly 86,000 residents, or “Norwalkers,” as they’re often referred to. Around 3.8% of the Connecticut population is currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, meaning that there are approximately 3,200 Norwalkers who are disabled and unable to work.
Depending on the individuals insured status, they may be eligible for SSDI or SSI payments. There are likely many more that have had their Social Security disability claims denied.
Approximately 70% of Social Security disability claims are denied, with the decision taking an average of three to four months to be made. Although some of these applicants will go on to have their benefits granted at a later stage in the Social Security appeals process, this could result in a lengthy wait and the stress of living on little or no income for two years or more.
The fact that Norwalk’s cost-of-living is 53% higher than the national-average just adds to the difficulty of the situation. If you’re applying for disability benefits in the Norwalk, Connecticut area, it’s important to take every possible action to increase the chances that you’ll fall within the 30% of applicants who don’t face the disappointment of having their claim denied.
This could include retaining the services of a Norwalk Social Security disability attorney. A Connecticut disability lawyer can ensure that all appropriate evidence is submitted to the Social Security administration in a timely manner and can verify that the Social Security claims adjudicator who is handling your claim is evaluating it appropriately.
Along with oyster farming, Norwalk’s economy has a strong manufacturing and wholesale trade presence. The area’s top employers include Arch Chemicals, Emcor Group, and Hillard Bloom Shellfish (the world’s largest oyster producer.) Because many Norwalk residents work in relatively physical, strenuous jobs, they may come to a point where they find themselves unable to continue working.
But in order to be found disabled under the Social Security Administration’s standards, a disabled Norwalk worker needs to prove that they are not only unable to do their previous job(s), but are also unable to do any other job that’s present in significant numbers in the national economy. This could require a Norwalk disability lawyer.
The median household income in Norwalk is a higher-than-average $70,672, and this correlates with an also higher-than-average median monthly disability payment amount of $1,215.70. If you’re awarded benefits, your payment amount is calculated based on the wages you earned while working. Even at this late stage in the process, it can be helpful to have a Norwalk Social Security lawyer look over your award letter to ensure that the calculations were done correctly.
If you’re one of the 70% who receive a denial, you can appeal first by filing a “Request for Reconsideration,” and then, if a second denial is received, by requesting a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. It is especially important to obtain representation by a qualified Norwalk Social Security attorney at this point. You’ll have a lot of time to prepare for your hearing, with the average wait out of the New Haven office that schedules these hearings for Norwalk Social Security applicants being a whopping 428 days.
During this time, a Norwalk disability attorney can review your medical records, formulate legal arguments, obtain witness statements, and, depending on the specific circumstances of your case, may even be able to submit a request that your claim be granted without waiting for a hearing to take place (called an “on the record request”) There’s no guarantee when it comes to the outcome of a Social Security disability claim, or an Administrative Judge Hearing, but there’s no reason not to take every action you can to increase the chances that your claim will be approved. In addition, there’s no upfront payment required when hiring a Norwalk disability lawyer, as they’re paid on a contingent fee basis. This means that they only receive a fee if or when your claim for benefits is granted. Their fee is set at 25% of your back benefit payments, up to a maximum of $6,000.
A Norwalk, Connecticut Social Security disability attorney will also represent other Fairfield County claimants, as well as those from neighboring New Haven and Litchfield counties, and nearby towns such as Westport, Wilton, New Canaan, New Haven, Darien, and Long Island Sound.
