Tucson Social Security Attorney
Each year the Social Security Administration processes more than two million claims for Social Security Disability benefits. Of these claims, a mere 30 percent are approved at the initial stage of the application process. The remaining 70 percent of applicants must go on to file an appeal if they hope to be approved for the disability benefits they need. If you hire a Tucson Social Security Disability attorney to represent you during the appeal process, your chances of obtaining benefits are significantly improved.
The economy of Tucson has traditionally been based in copper mining. In recent years that has changed, however, due to decreasing copper prices and foreign competition. While mining does have a role in Tucson's economy, the arts, manufacturing, high-tech industries and tourism also play an important part in the economic well-being of the city. Approximately ten percent of Tucson's jobs are created by the tourism industry and the area's manufacturing activity has doubled over the last decade. Tucson's economic growth is helped by the fact that many major corporations are building or relocating to the area. IBM, Honeywell, Intuit and America Online are all establishing presences in the Tucson community. The city's gross metropolitan product is estimated to be approximately $30 billion.
There are approximately 3.9 million individuals living in the State of Arizona. Of these 3.9 million Arizona residents, approximately 141,000 receive Social Security Disability benefits. In the city of Tucson, approximately 47,000 receive income from Social Security, with 8,300 receiving payments through the Supplemental Security Income program.
In order to qualify for disability benefits, an individual must suffer from a long-term or permanent disability that is expected to last at least one year, and have earned sufficient work credits by paying Social Security taxes over the course of previous employment. Even if enough work credits have not been earned, an individual may qualify for need-based SSI benefits if certain income requirements are met.
The average disability claim in Tucson takes 461 days to complete. While the initial application stage usually only takes three to four months, most claims are denied at this stage of the process. This means the majority of Tucson Social Security Disability recipients wait more than a year for disability benefits to begin.
Although some applicants choose not to hire representation for the initial stage of the disability application process, hiring a Tucson Social Security Disability attorney can improve your chances of receiving SSA approval for your claim. Your Tucson Social Security Disability lawyer can help you gather necessary medical evidence and can assist you in preparing your application so that it is submitted in the best light possible to the Social Security Administration. If your initial application for Social Security Disability benefits is denied, your Tucson disability attorney can help you through the disability appeal process.
The appeal process can be time consuming, lengthy, and complicated, and without proper legal representation your chances of winning your appeal are severely reduced. In fact, statistics from the Social Security Administration show that applicants who have legal representation during the appeals process are more likely to win their appeal than applicants who do not hire a Tucson disability attorney.
If you have not yet filed an application for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration, you may want to consider hiring a Tucson disability lawyer before beginning the application process. Having a lawyer to advise you during the initial application process will increase your chances of receiving a favorable decision early on. If you have already filed your Social Security Disability application and have been denied benefits, it is advisable to meet with a Tucson Social Security lawyer as soon as possible. Because you only have 60 days to file an appeal from the date the Social Security Administration notifies you of your denied application, you will want your attorney to begin the appeal process as quickly as possible.
Your Tucson Social Security Disability attorney will be paid 25-percent of your back payment from the Social Security Administration (up to $6,000), so you will not need to pay your attorney any up-front, out-of-pocket fees. The Social Security Administration will handle your attorney's payment for you out of the back payment you are awarded. If you do not win your claim for disability benefits, you will not be required to pay your lawyer.
Click here if you would like to request a free evaluation of your Social Security Disability case and to learn more about hiring a Tucson Social Security Disability lawyer.
A Tuscon Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Pima County, Maricopa County, Pinal County, Santa Cruz County, La Paz County, Yuma County, Mojave County, Yavapai County, and Gila County: Casas Adobes, Catalina Foothills, Tanque Verde, Marana, San Manuel, Arizona City, Green Valley, Rio Rico Northeast, Drexel-Alvernon, Benson, Sierra Vista, Whitestone, Huachuca City, Tombstone, Wilcox, Kearny, Swift Trail Junction.
