Evansville Social Security Attorney
Each time an Evansville, Indiana worker receives a check from their employer, taxes are deducted for numerous Social Security programs. When these workers are faced with a long-term or permanent disability, they assume that they are entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. After all, they paid into the system for years. Shouldn't those benefits be there to protect them when they need them? Unfortunately, actually being approved for Social Security Disability benefits isn't as simple as one may think. In fact, as few as 30 percent of Evansville disability applicants are approved during the initial stage of the disability claim process. What happens to the remaining 70 percent of disabled Evansville workers? If they are smart, they hire an Evansville Social Security Disability attorney to represent then in their Social Security Disability claim.
Evansville's economy is rich and flourishing. The city is the agricultural, retail, industrial and transportation center for the Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky Tri-State area. Situated amongst many rich coal fields, the energy industry plays a large role in the economy of Evansville. Agriculture, pharmaceuticals, textiles, plastics and chemicals also play a part in the city's economic well-being. Because many farms surround the area, a number of packing plants operate within the Evansville city limits, providing a number of jobs to Evansville-area residents.
Applying for Evansville Social Security Disability Benefits
Evansville is home to nearly 120,000 Indiana residents. In the State of Indiana, approximately 4.6 percent of the population receives Social Security Disability benefits. The average monthly disability amount for these recipients is $982.40. While this benefit amount is lower than many other parts of the nation, it can still significantly offset the financial burdens caused by a disabling condition. Unfortunately, it will take the average Evansville disability applicant approximately 541 days to complete the disability claim process.
Why does it take well over a year before an Evansville disability applicant can be approved for the disability benefits they need? This is largely due to the fact that the Social Security Administration denies the majority of claims received each year. Approximately 70 percent of Evansville disability applicants must pursue the disability appeal process in order to obtain the benefits they need. Because there are so many appeals backlogged in the Social Security System, these applicants must wait more than a year before being seen by an administrative law judge.
Hiring an Evansville Social Security Disability lawyer to represent you in your disability claim can increase your chances of receiving an approval of your disability application during the initial stage of the claim process. If you can obtain an initial approval of your disability claim, you will be able to avoid the appeal process altogether and will receive your Social Security Disability benefits much sooner. If, however, the SSA decides to deny your benefits even with the help of an Evansville Social Security attorney, your lawyer will be able to represent you in your disability appeal and can increase your chances of successfully overturning the SSA's decision.
If your initial claim for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, the first thing your lawyer will do is submit a Request for Reconsideration to the Social Security Administration. It is important to understand that this request is probably just a formality since more than 80 percent of these requests are denied by the Social Security Administration. Once this stage of the appeal process has been completed, however, you and your lawyer will be able to prepare for the most important stage of the disability appeal process – the disability hearing.
Hiring an Evansville Disability Attorney
It has been estimated that nearly two-thirds of disability hearings are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. It is important to understand, however, that this stage of appeals is very complicated and you will need the services of a Evansville disability attorney if you hope to increase your chances of overturning the SSA's decision to deny your disability benefits. Statistics show that applicants are more likely to be awarded disability benefits by the administrative law judge if they are represented by a Evansville disability lawyer.
If your Social Security Disability hearing does not result in the approval of your disability benefits, your Evansville Social Security Disability attorney may go on to request a review from the SSA's Appeals Council. Again, this is usually just a formality since the majority of these appeals are not decided in the favor of the disability applicant. It is a step you must take, however, if you wish to take your disability case before the Federal District Court. If your disability claim is taken this far, your attorney will discuss your appeal options with you and the likelihood of your success.
An Evansville Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Vanderburgh County, Posey County, Spencer County, and Warrick County: Melody Hill, Chandler, Boonsville, Highland, Mt. Vernon, Santa Claus, Haubstadt, Dale, Fort Branch, Oakland City, Mt. Carmel, Vincennes, Olney, Lawrenceville, Washington, and Jasper.
