Social Security Disability

Social Security is generally associated with retirement, but the federal tax-funded program also provides Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits for individuals who have suffered a disability that prevents them from working.

The Social Security system is notoriously complex and full of pitfalls that may cause you to jeopardize your legitimate claim, so it pays to contact Social Security Disability attorney Lynn Hamilton Johnson as soon as you need to file a claim. Receiving Social Security Disability benefits is usually a long and complicated process which may result in legitimate claims being denied or compensated improperly. Though certainly not required, there are many advantages to having an attorney represent you during the Social Security Disability application and appeals process.

While there is no fast-track for individuals represented by an attorney, there are several ways having a disability attorney represent you might speed up the process and help you get a decision on your claim faster. Middle Georgia disability attorney Lynn Hamilton Johnson is well versed in the methods used to evaluate Social Security disability claims.

To qualify for SSD, a claimant must have sustained a physical or mental impairment that is expected to last for a period of 12 months or more, or result in death. If you are unsure whether you qualify for benefits, contact us today to speak with our Warner Robins Social Security disability attorney.

Many types of injuries can qualify you for Social Security benefits, including spinal cord damage, brain injuries, and many others that result in disability. What these serious injuries have in common is that they can all prevent a person from working and earning a living to pay bills and support dependents.

The quickest way to receive benefits is to have original application for Social Security disability benefits approved, rather than having to appeal the decision, which can take more than a year. Our expertise in knowing what Social Security is looking for can help to increase your chances of winning at the initial application process.

We will review your case and tell you whether or not we think you have a good chance of qualifying for SSD. In cases where we think we can help, Ms. Johnson and her staff will:

• Complete your application so it clearly demonstrates how you qualify for SSD or are not able to perform any work
• Gather proper medical evidence to show that you have the medical impairments you claim to have
• Request aid from your doctor in a way that will help your case. (Social Security looks for specific terminology; an attorney can make your physician aware of such terminology so that the doctor can use the terminology, if medically appropriate), and
• Alert Social Security if yours is a terminal illness case, making it eligible for expedited treatment.

If your original application is denied, the next fastest way to receive benefits is to have an "on the record" (OTR) decision. Social Security disability attorney Lynn Hamilton Johnson can:

• Write a clear and concise brief that meets the requirements set out by Social Security and presents arguments for why you should receive benefits
• Gather any new medical records or try to obtain information from physicians to answer questions that may not be in your medical records but is requested by Social Security
• Write a proposed decision that, if approved by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), saves time since you do not have to wait for the ALJ to write the decision, and
• Speak to the Attorney Adjudicator to relay the specific merits of your case or to negotiate your disability onset date.

If the OTR decision is denied, your case goes to a hearing. If you are in serious financial trouble, Ms. Johnson can write a dire need letter for you, which can get your hearing date scheduled sooner.

At the hearing, having a disability attorney can improve your chances of winning the appeal at the hearing. We can:
Prepare you to answer questions that may be presented to you at the hearing so that you can clearly Relay the specifics of your medical impairments and limitations to the ALJ.
Work with you to choose witnesses to appear at the hearing and prepare the witnesses so that the witness provides the necessary information.

We cannot speed up the process, but Lynn Hamilton Johnson can help improve your likelihood of being approved for benefits at the early stages, which will mean less time waiting to receive your benefits.