Cheektowaga Social Security Attorney
Cheektowaga, New York, is the 2nd largest suburb of Buffalo, coming in after Amherst. It’s home to approximately 95,000 people, nearly 4% of whom are of Polish descent. The Cheektowaga economy benefits from numerous industries including construction, food service, healthcare, and education. Many Cheektowaga residents travel to nearby Buffalo for employment, but Cheektowaga businesses such as Westinghouse and Big L Distributors also employ some Cheektowaga residents.
Applying for Cheektowaga Social Security Disability Benefits
According to Social Security Administration (SSA) statistics, around 4.4% of New Yorkers are currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, with their average payment being $1,123.10. Unfortunately, many Cheektowaga residents who are applying for Social Security disability benefits may face a wait of two years or more before their claim is actually resolved and they see a payment – if they even end up being granted benefits. Many of those who are unable to work due to a disability assume that the money they’ve paid into the Social Security system over the years ensures that disability benefits will be available when they need them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, as around 70% of Social Security disability applications are denied.
The SSA does have an established appeals process, but applicants often find it stressful and confusing, and it’s usually very lengthy. That’s why it can be very beneficial to retain the services of a Cheektowaga Social Security disability attorney. A knowledgeable Cheektowaga disability lawyer can take actions to increase the chances that your claim will be approved at the initial level, saving you the time and hassle of the going through the appeals process.
If a Cheektowaga Social Security disability applicant receives a denial, the next step is to file a “Request for Reconsideration.” This is almost a technicality, as less than 10% of claims have their denial reversed upon reconsideration. However, it still adds an additional two to four month wait to the three to five months the Cheektowaga disability applicant spent waiting for the first decision. If the Cheektowaga disabled worker is again denied benefits, they can then file a “Request for Administrative Law Judge Hearing.” The good news is that nearly two-thirds of disability hearings result in a favorable outcome for the claimant. Unfortunately, the wait for a hearing can be very long – Cheektowaga disability applicants normally wait more than a year for their hearing to be scheduled, with the average wait out of the Buffalo SSA office that schedules these hearings for Cheektowaga residents being 499 days.
At any point in the claims process the SSA may ask the Cheektowaga disability applicant to fill out reports, be interviewed via telephone, or go to an examination which the SSA will pay for. The process can be stressful, in addition to the financial stress of living on little or no income. It can be very helpful to have the support of a Cheektowaga disability attorney during this time. In addition to answering your questions, a Cheektowaga Social Security lawyer will be working behind the scenes doing things like reviewing your medical records, obtaining statements from your doctors, and preparing a theory to present to the judge that demonstrates specifically how you meet the SSA’s definition of “disabled.”
Hiring a Cheektowaga Disability Attorney
It doesn’t cost anything upfront to retain the services of a skilled Cheektowaga disability lawyer, as New York Social Security attorneys are paid on a contingent basis. This means that they are only paid if you receive benefits. If your application is approved, their fee will be 25% of your back benefits (up to a $6,000 maximum.) This is a small price to pay for the satisfaction of receiving the benefits to which you’re entitled. Although there are two additional levels of appeal following a disability hearing, the chances of having your claim approved are very slim beyond that point. If you’re disabled and unable to work, you owe it to yourself to give your claim the best chance it has by hiring a Cheektowaga Social Security attorney.
A Cheektowaga, New York, Social Security disability lawyer will also handle other Erie county claims as well as those in neighboring Niagara, Genesee, and Wyoming counties. In addition, they’ll represent claimants from nearby towns such as Lancaster, Depew, Kenmore, Hamburg, Lockport, and Batavia.
