Charleston Social Security Attorney
Many individuals who live in the Charleston, South Carolina area are suffering from a long-term or permanent disability often deal with significant financial burdens. These disabled workers are unable to produce an income due to the limitations that their disability places on them and puts them in financial burden. Eventually, these workers feel overwhelmed by piled up bills, wondering if there is any way to get the financial help they so desperately need. To add to the problem, the majority of the Social Security Disability claims that are received by the Social Security Administration are denied during the initial stage of the application process. This results in the need for a lengthy and complicated disability appeal, during which the disability applicant will still not be getting the benefits they need. Is there any way to increase an applicant's chances of being approved for disability benefits during the initial stage of the claim process? In some cases, hiring a Charleston Social Security Disability attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining an initial approval and avoiding the hardships of a disability appeal.
Tourism plays a primary role in the economy of Charleston. It is a major tourist destination, and as such the city is home to a variety of luxury hotels, major hotel chains and small bed and breakfast establishments. Many award-winning restaurants are also players in the economy of the area, as are retail shops both large and small. Charleston also has two shipping terminals, which help with the economic well-being of the city and the area is quickly becoming a popular location for information technology employers.
There are nearly 350,000 individuals who make Charleston, South Carolina their home. In the State of South Carolina, approximately 5.6 percent of the population receives Social Security Disability benefits. The average monthly benefit amount for a South Carolina disability recipient is $1,066.70. While this monthly payment can definitely help offset some of the financial stress caused by a disabling condition, the amount of time that it takes for Charleston residents to actually begin receiving benefits is anything but ideal.
Applying for Charleston Social Security Disability Benefits
On average, a Charleston disability applicant will have to wait 481 days to complete the disability claim process. This is largely due to the fact that the majority of residents are denied disability during the initial application process (which takes only three to four months) so the applicant must go through the disability appeals stage before their case is decided. Because there are so many appeals backlogged in the Social Security System, it will take a Charleston applicant more than a year before reaching the most important stage of the disability appeal process – the disability hearing.
If your application for Social Security Disability benefits has been denied by the Social Security Administration, it is in your best interests to retain the services of a Charleston Social Security Disability attorney. Statistics show that applicants who have proper legal representation during a disability appeal are more likely to be awarded benefits than applicants who choose to represent themselves. Even if you have not yet submitted an application for benefits to the Social Security Administration, you should still consult with a Charleston Social Security Disability lawyer as soon as possible. A Charleston Social Security attorney can help you understand what is required to file a successful disability claim and can help you gather the necessary evidence and present it properly to the Social Security Administration.
Hiring a Charleston Disability Attorney
If you do need to file a disability appeal due to a denied Social Security Disability claim, it is crucial that you understand that the appeal process is lengthy, complex and very stressful. Your chances of filing a successful appeal are significantly increased with proper legal representation. This is why you should consult with a Charleston Social Security lawyer as soon as possible if your initial claim for disability benefits has already been denied.
If your initial claim to get disability benefits has been denied by the Social Security Administration, your Charleston disability attorney will begin the paperwork that is necessary to file your disability appeal. The first step of the appeal process is called a Request for Reconsideration, although this request is actually just a formality since the majority of disability claimants are not granted their appeal at this stage of the process. The stage of appeals that you and your lawyer will be focusing on is the hearing stage, when you will have the greatest chance of overturning the SSA's decision to deny your disability claim.
The good news is that nearly two-thirds of disability applicants are awarded benefits at the hearing stage of the appeal process. Your Charleston disability attorney will prepare for this hearing by gathering additional medical evidence and, in some cases, expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. He or she will also prepare you on a personal level regarding what to expect at this hearing and how you should present yourself before the administrative law judge.
A Charleston Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Charleston County, Georgetown County, Berkeley County, Colleton County, and Dorchester County: Mount Pleasant, Goose Creek, Summerville, Hollywood, Ravenel, Walterboro, St. George, Holly Hill, Moncks Corner, Georgetown, Orangeburg, Wilkinson Heights, Sumter, Columbia, Gaston, and Barnberg.
