Yonkers Social Security Attorney
Yonkers, NY, with a population of about 200,000, is the fourth largest city in New York. To the south it borders the Bronx and its southernmost tip is about two miles north of Manhattan. Originally a land grant made in 1645 to an immigrant from the Netherlands named Colen Van der Donck, Yonkers got its name from Van der Donck’s local nickname, Jonker (“young gentleman”). The northern part of the township was incorporated into the present day city of Yonkers in 1874, while the southern part became the South Bronx.
Until the mid 1800’s, Yonkers’ economy was based on a saw mill, farming, industry, and an active waterfront. In the mid 1800’s, the first modern day factory opened when Elisha Otis founded the Otis Elevator Company in Yonkers and Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company was one of the largest carpet factories in the world at that time. The first completely synthetic plastic was invented and manufactured in Yonkers at the turn of the twentieth century. During World War II, tanks were manufactured in the Otis Elevator factory, and Smith and Sons produced tents and blankets for the war effort. After World War II, manufacturing in the area declined and by 1983, Otis Elevators had closed its doors. Kawasaki later bought the plant to make railroad cars.
Most recently Yonkers has experienced a revival as a popular bedroom community for New Yorkers wanting to live outside New York City. Yonkers is in the midst of planning and implementing a three billion dollar revitalization project that should bring new housing, waterfront development, and commerce to the city.
Applying for Yonkers Social Security Disability Benefits
Although a majority of its population is Caucasian, Yonkers also has large minority populations of African-Americans and Latinos. 36% of Yonkers residents are over the age of 45. A quarter of its children and 10% of its seniors live below the poverty line. Of those Yonkers residents who are receiving Social Security benefits, 12% are disabled.
Grappling with the Social Security system can be frustrating, especially for applicants who are also living with a severe disability. Hiring a Yonkers Social Security Disability lawyer can lessen the confusion and frustration, although it can’t shorten the long waiting period for a case review.
Before beginning an application for Social Security Disability benefits, a visit with a Yonkers disability lawyer can help you determine whether your disability is severe and limiting enough to qualify for benefits. A Social Security attorney can also help you determine the amount of federal benefits you may be eligible to receive. If you have already been denied disability benefits, your Yonkers Social Security lawyer may be able to have your disability claim reconsidered.
Hiring a Yonkers Disability Attorney
Your Yonkers Social Security Disability attorney can help decipher Social Security’s “Blue Book” of disability listings to determine what sort of medical records you will need to attach to your application. Your disability lawyer can then assist you in gathering these records, and, if necessary, can ask for additional documents from your doctors or health clinics in order to provide Social Security with a complete and accurate medical record of your diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and response to treatment.
Even the most prepared disability applications can be denied at the initial and reconsideration levels. If your case goes to appeal, where many denials are reversed, then your Yonkers Social Security lawyer can help you understand the proceedings. Your disability lawyer can represent you at the hearing by making an opening statement, presenting evidence to the judge, and calling and questioning witnesses to testify on your behalf.
You will not owe legal fees to your Yonkers Social Security attorney unless your disability application is approved by Social Security. Even then, federal law limits legal fees to Yonkers Social Security lawyers to the lesser of 25% of your back benefits or $6,000. It is true that you are allowed to represent yourself before the Social Security Administration and that you are not required to hire a lawyer, but it has been proven that disability applicants who are represented by a disability lawyer succeed in having their disability applications approved more often than those who choose to represent themselves.
A Yonkers Social Security Disability lawyer will also handle disability claims in the following cities located in Westchester County, The Bronx, Rockland County, Orange County, and Putnam County: New York City, Mt. Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains, The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, Bronxville, Eastchester, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Harrison, Rye, Scarsdale, Greenville, Ardsley, Irvington, Hartsdale, Port Chester, Valhalla, and Hawthorne.
