HUNTSVILLE DISABILITY GUIDE

75 percent of Social Security disability claims are denied and require an immediate appeal.  Here is what the claimant, or claimant's representative, must do: Submit a written notice of appeal to the Social Security office within 60 days.  Telephone conversations do not count.  You should use form HA-501, available from Social Security. Review the medical evidence in your Social Security file to make sure it is complete.  Add additional or missing medical records as soon as possible. Decide if you are willing to accept a hearing by video teleconference or if you want an in-person hearing.  If you wish to opt out of a video hearing, notify Social Security in writing within 60 days of filing your appeal (but after they have notified you that they have received your filing). As you continue to see doctors or other medical providers (while wait for a hearing to be scheduled) obtain these detailed medical files and submit them to the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review

Reviews by clients/users can be a helpful guide to choosing a Social Security disability advocate. You may find the following link useful.   http://businessfinder.al.com/15752976/Forsythe-Firm-Huntsville-AL#

The following can play a role in whether you get approved for Social Security disability: Your age Level of education Kind of work you have done in the past 15 years Steady employment history? Regular medical treatment? Type, duration and severity of your medical impairment. Being age 50 or over is a plus but many people under age 50 also get approved. Decision makers like to see an individual who has a long, steady history of employment.  This simply adds credibility to the claim.  For instance, a person who has worked at the same job for 25 years, earning a good wage, is more likely to be approved than someone who has a skimpy work history. Disability is only available due to a severe medical condition that does not permit the claimant to work on a full-time basis.  Therefore, medical records must exist which prove the disability in terms of its  severity (so bad it prevents work) onset  ( will determine if you get back pay) duration (must be expected to last 12 mon

This decision can be made only by the Commissioner of Social Security or her designated representative.  When you file a completed application for disability benefits, here is what happens: The Social Security office checks to see if you have worked long enough, and recently enough, to be covered. They will determine if you are applying as a covered worker, spouse, widow or dependent. Your application will be sent to the Disability Determination Service (DDS) in Birmingham where an examiner will look at your medical records to see if you have an impairment severe enough to prevent you from working. If you are under age 50, your medical condition must be so severe that you not able to perform ANY type of work, or you must meet one of the published Listings. If you are age 50 or above, you must be unable to perform any of the jobs you have performed during the past 15 years.  There are some exceptions to this rule. To answer the question "Who decides if I am disabled?"