Hiring an attorney during the disability benefits applications process might seem like a wise decision in the abstract, but did you know that statistics confirm this belief by clearly showing that you will have a measurable advantage if you employ the services of a disability lawyer?
Only about 30 percent of disability benefits applications are approved on the initial round, which means that the vast majority of people will have to go through a difficult appeals process that can take anywhere from one to four steps. While the assistance of an attorney can be useful during the initial stage, it is during the appeals process that a Rockford Social Security Disability Attorney will be of the maximum benefit, as this article will attempt to explain.
Rockford, Illinois is a medium-sized city that straddles the banks of the Rock River and is home to approximately 152,871 individuals. The city’s largest employers include the public school system, healthcare companies, and a few manufacturing companies. Hard-hit by the decline of manufacturing over the second half of the 20th century, the economy of the Rockford area has seen large changes in recent decades. The city now focuses on the high-tech sector as well as the tourism generated by its well-regarded museums and park system.
Applying for Rockford Social Security Disability Benefits
There are 11,130 disabled workers currently living in Rockford. In sum total, the state of Illinois dispensed $229 million to disabled workers and their spouses and children, with the average monthly payment to a disabled individual around $966 (the average monthly payment for a dependent is considerably lower).
Each person currently receiving benefits had to go through the application process, during which time they were required to prove certain key facts. First of all, in order to be eligible for benefits, a person must suffer from a debilitating condition that totally prevents them from earning a meaningful income. Secondly, this condition must be expected to last at least a year or else result in the death of the afflicted person. There is no question that the government guidelines are strict for determining eligibility. In addition to those requirements concerning the health condition of the disabled, they address the disabled person’s work history.
In order to be eligible for the main Social Security Disability Insurance program, and individual has to have earned enough work credits. (A Rockford disability attorney can help you decide if you qualify). If you have not earned enough work credits, a smaller program, the Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) program, could be right for you, provided that you can prove a certain amount of financial need.
Hiring a Rockford Disability Attorney
Although the Social Security disability application process can seem taxing and confusing, legal help can assist you in navigating the waters. A Rockford Social Security disability attorney can be helpful at all stages of the application. Initially, they can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your application and make sure you have assembled all relevant evidence and your paperwork is filled out correctly.
But legal help becomes even more vital during the Social Security Disability appeal process. The appeals process has very tight deadlines and time windows that must be met in order for your case to stay active. In addition, you might be called on to testify in person, and you will want to have been prepared on how to present your case with a maximum amount of efficiency. Finally, you’ll want to make sure that the case is proceeding in a timely manner, and your case is being given due consideration by the court. A Rockford disability attorney can help you with all of these facets of your case, and more.
In addition to hiring a social security attorney, be sure to check out these Rockford Social Security Disability Resources.
A Rockford Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Winnebago County, Boone County, Dekalb County, and Stephenson County: Machesney Park, Loves Park, Winnebago, Belvidere, Cherry Valley, New Milford, Bryon, Pecatonica, Roscoe, Rockton, Monroe, Esmond, Freeport, Marango, Harvard, Chicago and Elgin.
