Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyers: Common Mistakes When Applying for Benefits
June 6, 2016The process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated, confusing, and overwhelming. In order to successfully secure the benefits you need, knowing what not to do is sometimes just as important as knowing the right steps to take. The following are some of the most common mistakes that people make when they apply for Social Security disability benefits.
- Collecting unemployment during the Social Security Disability application process: Technically, you are allowed to receive unemployment benefits while applying for disability, but an examiner can consider this factor when determining whether you are disabled. If you are collecting unemployment and notifying the state employment department that you have applied for jobs that require physical labor, your request for Social Security benefits may be denied.
- Failure to appeal: Over half of all applicants who have been denied benefits fail to appeal or request a hearing.
- Failure to obtain medical care: While less common, some people do not seek treatment for their medical condition, which means there may not be enough proof to support their application.
- Assuming you cannot afford a Social Security disability lawyer: Social Security lawyers typically only charge a fee if they win the case. At that point, the lawyer’s fees are taken out of the disability award.
- Failing to check the status of your claim: It is important to check the status of your outstanding claim because oftentimes, the Social Security Administration will either lose the paperwork or fail to notify an applicant about the status of their case.
- Missing the appeal deadline: It is the claimant’s responsibility to know the date of the appeal deadline, which is 60 days from the date of a disability claim’s last denial. If you miss the deadline, you may have to start the process all over again.
- Being unprepared for your Social Security disability hearing: It is crucial that you have all of the medical evidence that is required when your hearing date comes up.
- Failure to take the proper medication: If you are not compliant with the treatment your doctor recommends, including medications, your application may be denied.
An experienced Maryland Social Security disability lawyer can help you through this process and make sure that you do not make any of these common mistakes.
Maryland Social Security Disability Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Help Individuals Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits
Maryland Social Security disability lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are committed to helping clients successfully navigate through all phases of the application process. We will not stop until we secure the benefits you deserve. For a free case review, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.
Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson. We provide exceptional legal guidance in all Social Security disability matters for clients throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.
