Racine Social Security Attorney
The city of Racine is home to nearly 81,000 residents. It sits on the shores of Lake Michigan and is the county seat of Racine County, Wisconsin. A regional manufacturing center, there are nearly 300 manufacturing firms employing nearly 25,000 Racine residents in the area. Racine has also seen an increase in tourism and convention business lately, largely in part to its recent downtown revitalization efforts. Some of Racine’s largest manufacturing plants are those of S.C. Johnson Wax, In-Sink Erator, CNH, and Golden Books. If a Racine worker becomes disabled and can no longer work, they may decide to apply for Social Security disability benefits. After paying into the Social Security system for years, many people are surprised at how difficult it can be to actually obtain these benefits when they’re needed. In fact, approximately 70% of applications for Social Security disability benefits are denied. Although a disabled Racine worker who receives a denial can appeal the decision, this often results in a long, stressful wait, during which they’re forced to survive with no income.
Approximately 4.6% of Wisconsin residents are currently receiving Social Security disability benefits, and their average monthly payment is $1,161. Many of those who are currently receiving benefits likely retained the services of a Racine Social Security disability attorney. Statistics show that those who are represented by a disability lawyer have a greater chance of having their application granted, therefore avoiding the lengthy appeals process.
Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits
When a disabled worker applies for Social Security disability benefits, it takes approximately 3-4 months for a decision to be made. If this decision is a denial, the next step is for the disabled worker to file a “Request for Reconsideration.” It will then take another 2-4 months for this second decision to be issued, and unfortunately, most claims are denied a second time. The next stage of the Social Security Administration’s appeals process is the level at which a disabled worker has the highest chance of having their application approved. This is when they will appear at a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge to state their case. However, the wait to have a hearing can be long. The office that schedules these hearings for Racine workers’ who are applying for Social Security disability benefits is located in Milwaukee, and these applicants wait an average of 357 days for their hearing to be scheduled. This is in addition to the time that they waited for their first two decisions to be issued - which means that it could be two years or more from the date of their application to the day when their hearing takes place.
It’s very beneficial to hire a skilled Racine Social Security lawyer at any point in the Social Security disability application process. Although the Social Security Administration (SSA) will gather and review a claimant’s medical records, a knowledgeable Racine disability attorney can ensure that all relevant records are presented in the most favorable light possible. They can also obtain statements from a claimant’s treating doctors, which the SSA will strongly consider when deciding whether or not to grant benefits. They can also ensure that any updated medical records are sent to the SSA as the claimant’s treatment continues.
Hiring a Racine Disability Attorney
However, if a disabled worker in Wisconsin has not retained a Racine disability attorney by the time they are waiting for their hearing to be scheduled, they should strongly consider doing so. It is extremely important to do everything possible to prepare for this hearing. Your success at your hearing depends on many factors, including your specific condition(s) and which judge is assigned to your case, but hiring a Racine Social Security attorney can be a very wise step to take. It can be intimidating to appear at a hearing. The judge will directly question you about your disability, and the SSA may hire medical or vocational (employment) experts to testify. A skilled Social Security attorney can prepare you for the judge’s questions and let you know what to expect at the hearing. They can also cross-examine witnesses, and may even be able to submit a brief to the judge before the hearing explaining why you should be found disabled. Although there are two additional levels of appeal following an administrative law judge hearing, very few claims are granted beyond at the Appeals Council or Federal Court levels. Therefore, it’s critical to take every possible step to increase the chances that your hearing will result in a favorable decision.
Many disabled Wisconsin workers’ may think that they are unable to afford a Racine Social Security attorney, that is not the case. A Racine disability lawyer will not charge a fee to consult with you and discuss your case. They work on a contingency basis, which means that they are only paid in the event you are awarded benefits. If that happens, your Racine Social Security disability lawyer’s fee will consist of 25% of your back-benefits (this is a lump sum that you’re awarded if the SSA finds that you were disabled as of a past date.) Their fee is also capped at $6,000, no matter how much you receive in back benefits.
A Racine disability lawyer will also handle disability claims for those in nearby Ives, Wind Point, Waxdale, Husher, Somers, Sylvania, Caledonia, North Bay, and Ives Grove, as well as other Racine County claims and those in Kenosha, Walworth, and Milwaukee counties.
