Federal Way Social Security Attorney
A Washington worker who becomes disabled may assume that they will simply apply for Social Security disability benefits and begin to receive the payments to which they’re entitled. Unfortunately, it doesn’t usually work this way. What most Washington workers may not realize is that the large majority of Social Security applications are denied disability.
Applying for Federal Way Social Security Disability Benefits
If a disabled Washington worker’s application for Social Security disability benefits is denied, they appeal the decision by filing a “Request for Reconsideration.” After waiting an average of 3-4 months for their first decision, they will wait anywhere from another 1-3 months for the second decision to be issued. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of denials are reversed upon reconsideration.
Many of Social Security disability applicants who end up receiving benefits have their applications approved at the next level of appeal. This requires appearing at a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. Unfortunately, it can be two years or more from the date of the initial application before a hearing is scheduled. It can be very difficult for Federal Way, Washington Social Security disability applicants to live on little or no income while they appeal denials and wait for a hearing. If you’re applying for disability benefits in the Federal Way, Washington area, hiring a Federal Way Social Security attorney can be increase the chances that your application will be approved without having to proceed through the appeals process. A Federal Way disability attorney can make sure that the Social Security Administration has all relevant evidence and is evaluating your claim properly.
The Federal Way area is one of the biggest producers of softwood timberland in the world and is also home to multiple botanical gardens. A large Weyerhause plant is one of the area’s largest employers. Others include World Vision, St. Francis, Hospital, and Wild Waves theme park. The median household income is $54,856, and the cost of living is a whopping 22.3% higher than the national average.
There are approximately 84,000 residents who live in Federal Way. According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 4% of the Washington population is receiving Social Security disability benefits, with an average monthly payment amount of $1,149.60.
The Social Security office in Seattle, Washington schedules administrative law judge hearings for Federal Way disability applicants. After their filing their “Request for Administrative Law Judge Hearing,” the average disabled Federal Way worker waits 392 days for their hearing to be scheduled. This is on top of their likely 5-8 month wait while their claim went through the first two stages of the Social Security Disability application process.
Hiring a Federal Way Disability Attorney
If you are disabled and unable to work it can be very difficult to have to wait years before receiving any Social Security disability benefits. You can decrease the chances of that happening by hiring a Federal Way Social Security lawyer. An experienced Federal Way Social Security attorney can ensure that your disability claim is being fairly evaluated and make sure that the Social Security Administration has all of the relevant evidence.
If you do end up having to appear at an administrative law judge hearing, hiring a Federal Way disability attorney can increase the chances that the judge will find in your favor. An experienced disability attorney is familiar with the Social Security Administration’s standards to prove disability and knows how to use your medical records and other evidence to prove that you’re unable to work. There’s a chance that the Social Security Administration could hire doctors or other experts to testify at your hearing, and an experienced disability attorney will be able to cross-examine these witnesses to your advantage. Each situation is unique, and some administrative law judges have a higher approval rate than others, but hiring a Federal Way Social Security disability lawyer can maximize the chances that the judge will make a decision in your favor.
There is no upfront cost to hire a Social Security lawyer in Federal Way. Social Security disability attorneys are paid on a contingent basis, which means that they are only paid if you are awarded benefits. If you’re granted benefits they will receive a fee equal to 25% of your back benefit payments (up to a maximum of $6,000.)
A Federal Way Social Security attorney will also handle other King county claims as well as those in nearby Des Moines, Kent, Milton, Tacoma, and Fife.
Click here if you would like to request a free evaluation of your disability case and to learn more about applying for benefits in Federal Way and hiring a Washington Social Security attorney.
