Provo Social Security Attorney
No one expects to suffer from a long-term or permanent disability. It's always a case of “it could never happen to me”. Unfortunately, injuries and illnesses can and do happen. Those of us who pay taxes to the Social Security Administration assume that Social Security Disability benefits will be there for us in cases such as these. Unfortunately, when a disabling condition does prevent a hard-working citizen from maintaining employment, actually obtaining the Social Security Disability benefits that are so desperately needed is not as easy as many imagine it would be. If you have suffered from an illness or injury that has prevented you from maintaining employment and are in need of Social Security Disability benefits in the Provo, Utah area, the services of a Provo Social Security Disability attorney may mean the difference between receiving the disability benefits you need or living without them.
The Provo area's economy benefits from diversity and a variety of employment sectors including software technologies, high-tech, biotech, manufacturing, marketing and retail. Some of the area's largest employers include Novell, Inc., Symantec, Corel, Nestle Foods, Sears Telecatalog and Ameritech Library services. The retail sector has contributed significantly to the Provo economy in recent years, experiencing a significant growth due to the development of major shopping areas built around highway I-15 and other main roads.
Applying for Provo Social Security Disability Benefits
Provo is home to more than 112,000 Utah residents. In the State of Utah, approximately 2.5 percent of the population receives Social Security Disability benefits, with an average disability benefit amount of $1,053.80 per month. While this monthly disability benefit can significantly offset some of the financial burdens experienced by disabled Provo workers, it will take a Provo disability applicant an average of 339 days to complete the disability claim process due to the fact that the majority of Provo applicants will be denied disability benefits during the initial stage of the claim process. This, of course, will result in the need for a disability appeal.
When a Provo resident appeals the SSA's decision to deny Social Security Disability benefits, the appeal usually consists of two stages including a Request for Reconsideration and a disability hearing before an administrative law judge. The reason it takes so long for Provo disability applicants to begin receiving benefits is the amount of time they must wait before being seen by this judge. The office in charge of scheduling the disability hearings for Provo residents is located in Salt Lake City and it takes this office an average of 13 months to schedule a disability hearing. If you want to avoid waiting more than a year to have your disability benefits approved, you need to consult with a Provo Social Security Disability lawyer before filing your claim for disability benefits.
Hiring a Provo Disability Attorney
When you work with a Provo Social Security attorney prior to filing your Social Security Disability claim, your attorney will review your application with you. He or she will help you gather the necessary medical evidence and will help you prepare your application in such a way that the adjudicator reviewing your file understands the severity of your disabling condition. This increases your chances of being awarded benefits as a result of your initial disability claim. If you still are not awarded benefits during the initial stage of the application process, your Provo Social Security lawyer can represent you throughout the process of a disability appeal.
If you have already applied for benefits on your own and have been denied by the SSA, it is still not too late. You can still retain the services of a Provo disability attorney for the appeal stage of the disability claim process. Once a disability claim has been denied, your Provo disability lawyer will file a Request for Reconsideration. It is important to note, however, that these requests are usually denied and your lawyer will likely need to file for a disability hearing before an administrative law judge before you have a real chance at being awarded the benefits you need.
Nearly two-thirds of disability hearings are decided in the favor of the disability applicant. This is likely due to the fact that the majority of disability applicants pursue proper legal representation for these hearings. The hearing process can be involved and complex and you will need a Provo Social Security Disability attorney to guide you through the laws that pertain to your case and to obtain the additional evidence that will be needed by the administrative law judge. Statistics show that applicants who have proper legal representation at these hearings are much more likely to be awarded benefits than those who do not.
A Provo Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Utah County, Salt Lake County, Wasatch County, Juab County, and Tooele County: Orem, Springville, Lakeview, Vineyard, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lehi, Highland, Springville, Spanish Fork, Payson, Salem, Sandy, Salt Lake City, and West Jordan.
