Living with a disability or illness raises many different concerns and difficulties. Among these obstacles is the financial distress that disabled individuals often experience when they are no longer able to work. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration (SSA) provides Social Security Disability benefits to individuals with health conditions that make it impossible for them to work.
Before beginning the application process for Social Security Disability benefits, residents of Pueblo, Colorado are advised to look into the two disability benefit programs to learn about the strict eligibility requirements. Any questions you have about your own eligibility can be answered by a representative from your local Social Security office. See below for an office near Pueblo:
3769 Parker Blvd
Pueblo, CO 81008
Telephone: (719) 545-9248
Hiring a Pueblo Disability Attorney
Once you look into Social Security Disability programs, you may find yourself feeling confused and overwhelmed. If this is the case, it may be in your best interest to work with a Pueblo Social Security Disability attorney to file or appeal your claim. An attorney or advocate will be comfortable with the application procedures and will prevent you from making any costly mistakes.
Learn about the many benefits of working with an attorney or advocate, here.
A Pueblo Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in Pueblo County, Otero County, Crowley County, Lincoln County, El Paso County, Teller County, Fremont County, Custer County, and Huerfano County: Beulah Heights, Sunset, Aberdeen, Salt Creek, Avondale, Boone, Fowler, Olney Springs, Stone City, Penrose, Colorado City, Carlton City, Lincoln Park, and Walsenburg.
For more information about the Social Security Disability lawyers in your area, contact a local bar association:
Pueblo County Bar Association
1128 Eagleridge Blvd
Pueblo, Colorado 81008-0000
Fremont/Custer Bar Association
1900 Grant Street, Suite 900
Denver, CO 80203
El Paso County Bar Association
P.O. Box 429
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
Pueblo Disability Hearings
Unfortunately, many initial disability claims are denied. If your application is denied, you can appeal this decision. As part of the appeals process, you will have to appear in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) for a disability hearing.
Because there is no hearing office in Pueblo, your appeal hearing would likely take place in the Colorado Springs Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). If your claim proceeds to the appeal phase of the application process, the following statistics may be useful to you or your attorney. Keep in mind that these statistics apply to the time period between September 2012 and April 2013.
- The Colorado Springs ODAR had 2,144 appeal hearings scheduled in the specified time period.
- Of the 2,144 hearings scheduled, 80.05% of them were resolved—meaning they were approved, denied, or partially approved.
- There are six judges who handle the appeal hearings in the Colorado Springs hearing office.
- Each of these judges heard approximately 2.5 dispositions daily during the specified time period.
- The Colorado Springs hearing office, as a whole, handled approximately 15 dispositions each day during the specified time period.
- 81.57% of the hearings held in the Colorado Springs office were conducted in person. The rest were done using video conferencing technology.
- In 2013, the Colorado Springs hearing office has approximately 2,970 pending cases and a wait time totaling 317 days.
Although these facts and statistics may not be important to you right now, you may take interest in this information if you ever have to go through the disability appeals process.
If you are already waiting for a scheduled appeal hearing, you may be among many individuals who struggle financially while waiting to be approved for disability benefits. If medical or financial troubles are making it impossible for you to wait for your scheduled hearing date, it may be in your best interest to request a congressional inquiry. A congressional inquiry occurs when a claimant asks their local congressperson to intervene with the ODAR on his or her behalf.
Complete the following form to speak with a Pueblo attorney or advocate free of charge:
