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Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits and Maximizing Likelihood of Success

4/13/2016

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Social Security Disability Benefits are payments made to you and, potentially, certain members of your family if you have worked long enough and have a medical condition that has prevented you from working or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or end in death.

There are several ways to apply for social security disability benefits. The first option is to go to your local social security office where you can apply in person. If you don’t know where the nearest social security office is, you can go to the Social Security Office Locator website where all you need is your zip code to find the office nearest you. If you are comfortable filing an application online, you can do so here. Click on “video instructions” for an tutorial on filing your claim online.

Finally, if you are not comfortable filing a claim online and don’t want to travel to one of the offices or are not able to do so, you can call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. If someone is not available to take your application, a time will be scheduled when someone can call you back to fill out your application.

There are numerous intricacies critical to your chances of succeeding on a claim for disability benefits, a few of which will be mentioned below. It is important to note that it is difficult to win social security disability benefit claims, which is why the assistance of an experienced attorney can be crucial.

The first tip to help solidify your claim for disability benefits is to be as specific as possible in your description of how your disability (be it an injury or an illness) impacts your ability to perform any type of work. It is critical that you describe all the limitations you are experiencing which impact your ability to work.

Next, recognize that one of the quickest ways your claim will be denied by Social Security is if you are no longer receiving treatment for the injury or illness you claim renders you disabled. Treatment by a doctor specific to the limitations claimed and relevant documentation can make or break your case. If your doctor’s records effectively detail your functional limitations, you stand a better chance of receiving social security disability benefits.

Finally, if you have a physical injury or illness and it has impacted you mentally, be sure to explain that. Many people feel the need to emphasize their physical limitations and skip over or downplay the significance of the mental hurdles their injury has created. If you are struggling with concentration or memory, or are depressed or anxious, this is something the Social Security Administration will generally take into consideration. While some people may feel embarrassed, explaining the full extent of the impact of your injury is the best way to succeed in a claim for disability benefits.

If you are contemplating filing a claim for disability benefits with social security, the attorneys at Howland Hess O’Connell are willing and able to advise and assist you in this process.

Legal Disclaimer: The contents of this website are intended solely for informational purposes. They neither constitute nor imply an official legal opinion on behalf of Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy and O’Connell nor do they establish an attorney-client relationship of any kind. Howland Hess O’Connell encourages all readers to seek and consult professional counsel before acting upon the information contained on this site.
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The law office of Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy, O'Connell & Birnbaum, LLP is located in Huntingdon Valley, Southeastern Pennsylvania, and serves clients in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County and Philadelphia County, including the towns of: Abington, Ambler, Blue Bell, Cheltenham, Conshohocken, Doylestown, Elkins Park, Glenside, Hatboro, Hilltown, Horsham, Huntingdon Valley, Jenkintown, King of Prussia, Lansdale Springfield, Montgomeryville, New Britain, Norristown, Plymouth Meeting, Upper Dublin, Upper Moreland, Warminster, Warrington and Willow Grove.

The attorneys at Howland, Hess, Guinan, Torpey, Cassidy, O'Connell & Birnbaum, LLP also serve clients throughout Southern New Jersey including Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, and Salem County.

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David W. Birnbaum
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Remembering Robert G. Hess

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