Shreveport Social Security Attorney
Shreveport, LA has a population of about 200,000, making it the third largest city in Louisiana. Shreveport is located just east of Louisiana’s border with Texas and is the seat of Caddo Parish. Its “twin city” is Bossier, Louisiana, and the area is often referred to as Shreveport-Bossier. The area where Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas meet is known as the “Ark-La-Tex,” and Shreveport is the metropolitan center of that area.
Founded in 1836, Shreveport came into being at the crossroads of the Red River and the overland route to Texas. The city’s namesake, Captain Henry Miller Shreve, was responsible for rendering the Red River navigable by removing a 180-mile natural logjam from the river using a specially modified steamboat. Once the Red River became navigable, the area was a natural center for the steamboats that trafficked in agricultural goods. After the Civil War the river fell into disuse, partly because of the rise of railroads, and it again became un-navigable until 1994 when the Army Corps of Engineers again cleared the waterway. As a result, Shreveport-Bossier is once again being used as a port.
Shreveport has been home to many in the music business, such as bluesmen Huddie Willam Ledbetter (“Lead Belly”), Jesse Thomas, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, and Dave Alexander. The Louisiana Hayride, a popular radio program, was broadcast from Shreveport until 1960, and hosted such greats as Hank Williams, Sr. and Elvis Presley.
The city’s economy once relied on the oil and gas industry, but the 1980s saw a severe decline in oil and gas related businesses, with the result that many businesses closed, many jobs were lost, and many Shreveport residents were forced to relocate. Gaming is now a major economic force and the area is home to numerous casinos. Shreveport’s downtown and riverfront were given facelifts in the mid 1990s when riverboat gambling became popular. In the early years of the 21st century, Shreveport has constructed a new convention center and a shopping and entertainment complex. New industry may develop as local shale deposits are mined.
Applying for Shreveport Social Security Disability Benefits
35% of Shreveport’s citizens are over the age of 45 years, and fully 33% of Shreveport’s children and 16% of its city’s seniors are living below the poverty line. Of those Shreveport citizens who are receiving Social Security benefits, 16% are disabled. Federal disability benefits are paid either through Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income.
When considering submitting a claim for disability benefits, keep in mind that application times for both programs can be lengthy. The DDS examiners reviewing your case will look closely at the information in your application, at your work history, and at your medical records. It can take months for a ruling to be made on your claim, not only because of the backlog of cases but also because of the time it takes to collect medical records and other documents that were not submitted with the initial application. The majority of disability benefits cases are denied when they are first submitted, requiring the applicant to appeal.
Hiring a Shreveport Disability Attorney
Shreveport residents who apply for disability benefits often find the help of a Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer invaluable. Because the disability application process can be confusing and frustrating, it can be advantageous to have a Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer walk you through the application and appeals process. A Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer can give you advice concerning working and seeing your doctors as you wait for your case to be reviewed. He or she can gather the necessary and correct medical records for you to ensure that you present the most effective case possible.
Your Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer can help you fill out your initial application and, if your application is rejected, can help you file your appeal. At the appeals level, your Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer can represent your case at hearing before the administrative law judge, presenting any new evidence and calling witnesses on your behalf, if necessary.
Statistics have shown that the chances of a Shreveport resident having a disability claim approved are improved with the assistance of a Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer. While you are not required to hire a Shreveport disability attorney to build, organize, and present your case, having this expert assistance can relieve you from many hours of frustration in filing and monitoring your disability case.
A Shreveport Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Caddo Parish, Bossier Parish, De Soto Parish, and Red River Parish: Bossier City, Vanceville, Benton, Belcher, Red Chute, Haughton, Eastwood, Greenwood, McDade, Mooringsport, Stonewall, and Frierson.
