If You Did Not Hire a Social Security Lawyer, Can You Still Get Copies of Your File Before a Hearing?
View PDF | Print View
by: albert.tobega
Total views: 68
Word Count: 576
Q: If you have filed an appeal to have your disability case heard before an administrative judge, what things should you to prepare yourself?
A: What can be a long process for some disability claims culminates in a scheduled hearing, which gives the claimant a final chance to thoroughly present the aspects of his case. It is important, therefore, to be ready for your hearing. Having an advocate like a social security lawyer on your side during the process can be extremely beneficial. Statistically, a social security lawyer provides representation for most cases that are awarded benefits after being heard by an administrative judge. There are several ways to make sure you are ready to face your scheduled hearing, regardless of whether you have legal representation. Perhaps the most important things to have a handle on are the time and location of the hearing. Map it out ahead of time, if you are unfamiliar with the location. Build in plenty of transportation time, so you will not be late. Being tardy to your scheduled appointment will likely mean your claim cannot be heard, which will result in long delays due to rescheduling. You want a decision to be made on your claim. Always make sure you are dressed appropriately for a court appearance and are mindful of the decorum expected in a courtroom. Another helpful item to assure that you are ready for your scheduled hearing is confirming that the court office has received the most recent medical records for your claim. A judge will not be able to fairly make a decision on your case without the most current and comprehensive information. Your social security lawyer will handle this for you, if you have one. Although it may seem obvious, the final tip is to thoroughly know the details of your file and overall claim. Again, this is less crucial for those represented by an attorney, since he or she will have a copy of your file and be well versed on its contents. For those who will not be represented by an attorney, requesting a copy and reviewing the files in advance of the scheduled hearing is crucial. It is your right to obtain a copy of your file to allow you to prepare. Do so as soon as your hearing has been scheduled, so you can be confident that you are prepared.
Q: Can a claimant check in on where a disability case is in the process, or can only a social security lawyer do that?
A: You can check the status of your claim even if you do not have a social security lawyer. It is usually easiest to touch base with the examiner assigned to your claim, rather than the office where you filed your claim. You will need to call your local office, if you need the specific details for the disability examiner assigned to your case. It is extremely helpful to let them know it is a disability claim status matter. Alternatively, the official government web site for Social Security allows you to obtain your claim status.
Q: Can you file for social security disability online?
A: Yes, you can apply online. Go to www.ssa.gov/onlineservices and follow the instructions. The site also has some tools to help you determine if you qualify for benefits and estimate payments.
About the Author
For more info on orlando social security attorney, link to socialsecuritylawyer.oddguide.net.
Rating: Not yet rated