Each and every year, millions of disabled workers file disability claims with the Social Security Administration. Unfortunately, only about thirty percent of these claims are actually approved by the SSA during the initial stage of the application process. Hiring a Santa Fe Social Security Disability attorney can increase your chances of receiving an approval during the initial stage of the application process or filing a successful appeal in order to overturn the SSA's decision to deny your disability benefits. If you are suffering from a long-term or permanent disability and wish to file a disability claim in the Santa Fe area or if your initial application for disability benefits has been denied, a Santa Fe Social Security Disability attorney can help you obtain the disability benefits that you need in order to alleviate the financial burden that has been caused by your disabling condition and resulting inability to work.
The major driving forces in Santa Fe’s economy are the tourism and government sectors. Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico and, as such, the government serves as the city’s largest employer. In addition, the city also receives more than 1.5 million visitors each year from the tourism industry which gives a boost to the area’s retail sector, which brings in more than one billion dollars each year. The median household income in Santa Fe is more than $50,000 while the cost of living index comes in at 12 percent above the national average.
There are more than 143,000 New Mexico residents living in Santa Fe. In the State of New Mexico, approximately 4.7 percent of the population receives Social Security Disability benefits. While this monthly payment can help a disability recipient pay his or her bills, it is important to understand that the average Santa Fe Social Security Disability applicant will wait nearly two years before seeing their first payment from the Social Security Administration. This is due to the fact that the majority of disability applications are denied during the initial stage of the application process (which usually takes three to six months to complete), resulting in the need for a disability appeal.
Filing an application for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income with the Social Security Administration can be a frustrating and complicated process. If your application is not presented properly or if crucial information is missing, your application will be denied. Hiring a Santa Fe Social Security Disability lawyer can improve your chances of an approval at the initial stage of the application process. Your Santa Fe Social Security attorney can help you prepare your Social Security Disability application in order to present it in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration. If your initial application for disability benefits is denied, your Santa Fe Social Security lawyer can assist you in filing an appeal in order to overturn the SSA's decision to deny your benefits.
When you hire a Santa Fe disability attorney to represent you during your Social Security Disability case, he or she will usually be willing to help you during the initial stage of the application process. There are, however, some disability attorneys who will not be willing to get involved until an appeal is necessary.
If your application for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, your Santa Fe Social Security Attorney will need to file an appeal within 60 days of the date that you receive the decision of denial. The first stage of the appeal process is called a Request for Reconsideration. In most cases this appeal will also be denied and your lawyer will need to prepare your case for a hearing before an administrative law judge.
You must understand that it is very important to have proper legal representation at the hearing stage of the Social Security Disability appeal process. Statistics show that individuals who are represented by an attorney at the hearing stage of the appeal process are more likely to receive a favorable hearing outcome than applicants who do not have proper legal representation.
For a Santa Fe disability applicant, it takes approximately 408 days to be scheduled for a hearing from the time your lawyer files the request. During this time, your lawyer will gather all of the evidence that will be needed in order to support your claim for disability benefits and he or she may also arrange for testimony on your behalf. Your Santa Fe Social Security Disability lawyer can also prepare you personally for your day in court, explaining what you should expect and how you should answer the questions that are asked of you at your disability hearing.
Contact a Santa Fe Social Security lawyer to request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case.
