Baltimore Social Security Disability Lawyers

Nearly one in six working-age Americans is living with some form of physical or mental impairment. Many of these conditions are so severe that they limit the person’s ability to work, leaving them vulnerable to economic hardship. Fortunately, the federal government has established programs designed to help disabled workers and their families. These programs are run by the Social Security Administration and include Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, these benefits are not easy to come by, and the vast majority of those who apply are initially denied. For this reason, it is wise to have your case reviewed by an experienced Maryland Social Security disability lawyer as early in the process as possible. At LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, our attorneys will help to ensure that no mistakes are made that could cause your claim to be denied. We know what it takes to present evidence that will maximize your chances of being approved sooner.

What to Do If Your Claim Is Denied

Getting a notice of denial can be disheartening. You have a medical condition that prevents you from working, your doctor agrees, but still your claim was denied. You are not alone. Roughly 71% of Maryland Social Security disability claims are denied after the initial application. However, the worst thing you can do at this point is give up. If you receive a denial, it is more important than ever to contact an experienced Social Security disability lawyer in Maryland.  The sooner an attorney files an appeal on your behalf, the sooner the wrongful denial can be reversed – do not delay, call us today!

At LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton, we handle all levels of appeals. We fight hard to make sure that you receive the benefits you need.

There are four levels of appeal:

  1. Reconsideration – If you receive a notice of denial, you have approximately 60 days to request a reconsideration. If you miss this deadline, you will have to start again from scratch. Though the chances of your claim being approved at this stage are only about 15%, it will put you one step closer to the next level of appeals, where your odds of success are much higher.
  2. Request for an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) Hearing – While the reconsideration level has the lowest rate of success, this second level of appeal, the ALJ hearing level, has the highest rate of success. More than 57% of Maryland disability claims are approved at this level. However, the process is by no means fast. On average, it takes 392 days from the time the request for hearing was filed to the date the case was decided by an ALJ. It is important to note that studies consistently show that having an attorney to represent you at the administrative law judge hearing significantly improves your chances of a successful outcome. Typically, about 40% of unrepresented individuals who file for appeal with the ALJ are awarded SSDI or SSI benefits. For those who hire an attorney, that number jumps to 60%.
  3. Request for an Appeals Council Review – If the administrative law judge denies your appeal, you can present your case for review by the Appeals Council. This level of the appeals process is most effective in cases wherein the ALJ made a large error in their decision, your condition has worsened or you can provide evidence not considered at your last hearing.
  4. Federal Court Review – If you do not agree with the decision made by the Appeals Council, your final option is to take the case to federal court. At this stage, it is critical to hire an attorney with experience handling cases at the federal level.

Maryland Social Security Disability Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Obtain Exceptional Results for Our Clients

If you have recently been denied Social Security Disability benefits and are still unable to work, don’t delay. Contact Baltimore disability lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton by calling 800-547-4LAW (4529) or submit an online contact form. We will review your case for free to determine what can be done to turn your denial into an approval.