Pittsburgh Social Security Attorney
Each and every year millions of U.S. citizens are faced with a sudden disability. In many cases, this disability prevents them from being able to maintain full-time employment. When you suffer from a disability that prevents you from working, it can wreak financial havoc on you and your family. Without a source of income, it becomes impossible to pay for bills and day-to-day living expenses. Disability-related medical costs only add to the burden. In many cases, Social Security Disability benefits can offset some of the financial stress caused by the disabling condition(s). Unfortunately, nearly 70 percent of disability claims are denied by the Social Security Administration each year. To improve your chances of being awarded disability benefits in Pittsburgh, you should consider retaining the services of a Pittsburgh Social Security Disability attorney.
The city of Pittsburgh was built on steel. Through the 1970s the city's growth was propelled by the steel industry, however, the collapse of the steel industry caused a shift in the economic base of the area. Pittsburgh's economy is now based in high-technology fields, such as health care, nuclear engineering, robotics and biomedical technology. The tourism, finance and service sectors are also major players in the economic well-being of the Pittsburgh area. The largest employer in the city is the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The university provides approximately 48,000 jobs to Pittsburgh-area residents. The city is also home to eight different Fortune 500 companies including PNC Financial Services, PPG Industries, U.S. Steel and H.J. Heinz Company. The gross metropolitan product of Pittsburgh is estimated to be $114.7 billion.
Applying for Pittsburgh Social Security Disability Benefits
Pittsburgh is home to more than 300,000 residents. It is estimated that more than 38,000 of these residents receive Social Security income and more than 8,000 receive Supplement Security Income benefits. Overall, the State of Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 7.78 million, with 4.8 percent of the population receiving disability benefits. The average monthly Social Security Disability benefits payment in Pennsylvania is $1,072.60, and it takes an average of 444 days for a Pittsburgh applicant to go through the disability claim process.
While the initial application process for Social Security Disability benefits only takes between three to four months, most disability applicants are denied at the initial application stage and must go through the lengthy disability appeal process to obtain the benefits to which they are entitled. Hiring a Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer can increase your chances of being approved for the disability benefits you need.
If you live in the Pittsburgh area and have suffered a disability, you may have questions regarding whether or not you qualify for disability benefits. In order to qualify for disability benefits in Pittsburgh, you must be suffering from a qualifying disability that is expected to last at least twelve months and must be able to prove that your condition prevents you from being able to perform any type of work activity. If your condition does not meet the guidelines published by the SSA, you may still qualify for benefits but will have to provide the SSA with enough evidence showing that you are completely unable to work due to your condition. Your chances of doing this successfully are significantly higher with the help of a Pittsburgh Social Security attorney.
Hiring a Pittsburgh Disability Attorney
A Pittsburgh Social Security lawyer can help you prepare your application for Social Security Disability benefits by gathering the evidence that is needed to support your disability claim. If your initial application for disability benefits is denied, a Pittsburgh disability attorney can help you file a successful disability appeal.
Appealing the SSA’s decision to deny your disability benefits can take years. Hiring a Pittsburgh disability lawyer can increase your chances of winning your appeal and may even help decrease the time it takes to be awarded benefits. Your attorney will be able to file timely appeals and gather the medical evidence needed to prove your case.
The hearing stage of the disability appeal process is when you have the greatest chance of being awarded disability benefits. In fact, two-thirds of appeals are decided in favor of applicants at this stage of appeal. Your Pittsburgh Social Security Disability attorney will help you prepare for your disability hearing by gathering the necessary evidence and advising you on how to handle yourself at your disability hearing. Statistics show that working with a disability lawyer will increase your chances of being awarded disability benefits as a result of your hearing. This is why it is important to seek legal representation rather than trying to represent yourself during the appeal process.
Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyers have in-depth knowledgeable about the constantly-changing Social Security Disability laws and will understand how current laws influence your particular disability case. Because of this, your Pittsburgh Social Security attorney will be able to present your case in the best light possible before the Administrative Law Judge who oversees your disability hearing.
Click here if you would like to request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case and to learn more about hiring a Pittsburgh Social Security lawyer to represent you during your Social Security Disability case.
A Pittsburgh Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Allegheny County, Beaver County, Washington County, Butler County, Westmoreland County, and Armstrong County: Ross Township, Mt. Lebanon, Bethel Park, Baldwin, Whitehall, Penn Hills, Monroeville, Wilkinsburg, New Kensington, McCandless Township, Coraopolis, New Castle, and McKeesport.
