Pittsburgh
Denials and Reconsiderations Lawyer

On This Page

1. Denials and Reconsiderations of SSD
2. A Claim Denial Is Not a Final Ruling
3. We Can Guide You So You Better Understand the Appeals Process
4. Call Berger and Green Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Denials and Reconsiderations of SSD

If you or a loved one is disabled but recently got denied Social Security Disability (SSD), you might be wondering how to proceed. Hiring a Pittsburgh denials and reconsiderations lawyer could provide valuable guidance. They can provide legal services to help you appeal a decision made by the Social Security Administration (SSA) and support you in your pursuit of disability benefits.

The team at Berger and Green can guide you throughout the appeals process after having your claim denied. Call our law firm today at (412) 661-1400 for a free consultation about how we can assist you.

A Claim Denial Is Not a Final Ruling

Having your claim for Social Security Disability be denied can be discouraging. However, getting a denial on your claim for SSD benefits does not mean your fight is over. It does not have to be considered a final decision.

Many people get denied on their initial claim for disability benefits. According to the SSA, an average of 62 percent of SSD claims are denied. This statistic underscores why the appeals process, also referred to as the reconsideration process, is important since many applicants will need to appeal successfully to obtain the benefits they seek.

The process of filing an SSD claim can be stressful and time-consuming. When it comes to requesting an appeal to begin the reconsideration process, you do not have to complete the process alone. A lawyer can help you through the reconsideration process while you direct your attention to other important matters.

How Berger and Green Can Assist You

The process of obtaining Social Security Disability through an appeal can be complex. The team at Berger and Green can help you with your SSD reconsideration request and guide you through the appeals process.

Our law firm can assist you by:

• Reviewing your initial claim to understand and explain to you why SSA officials rejected your request for compensation
• Reviewing evidence related to your case
• Explaining how reconsideration of your claim might improve your chances of approval
• Filing your reconsideration request if there is sufficient time to do so
• Requesting a hearing date if there is sufficient time to do so
• Representing you in all hearings and meetings related to your appeal
• Protecting your rights throughout the appeals process
• Answering all questions that you have regarding your appeal

You may not have ample time or energy to dedicate to the SSD appeals process if you are injured and unable to work at your normal capacity. Hiring a Pittsburgh denials and reconsiderations lawyer could substantially reduce the amount of attention that you are required to dedicate to your SSD request for reconsideration.

Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for more details about how they can facilitate your disability-related claim or appeal.

We Can Guide You So You Better Understand the Appeals Process

The Social Security Administration notes that there are four general stages to the appeals process for SSD claims. These stages are:

• Requesting reconsideration of your claim
• Having a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Having your appeal reviewed by the Appeals Council
• Having your appeal reviewed by a Federal District Court

Your lawyer can guide you through each stage of the appeals process, keeping you informed of your appeal’s progress as it advances. Each stage may have unique considerations, such as deadlines and waiting periods, which your lawyer will update you on as new information is revealed.

In Pennsylvania, you must wait until you receive a decision regarding your reconsideration quest to complete the next step of requesting a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. Being aware of and abiding by these sorts of rules could be important to your appeal’s success. Your lawyer will use their knowledge to help you avoid pitfalls during the appeals process.

The Consequences of Your Appeal May Be Great

The purpose of Social Security Disability benefits is to provide financial assistance to people living with disabilities, which is why it is a highly restrictive program. Berger and Green understands that receiving a denial on your claim might feel like a hard setback to cope with, especially if you are in financial need.

If you are disabled, you might be:

• Completely without the income that you earned before your injury or disability
• Collecting a diminished income because you cannot work at the capacity you used to
• Facing medical bills related to your injury or disability
• Facing difficulty paying for the cost of living for yourself and your family

The financial toll of being disabled could stem from or cause other issues that diminish your quality of life. Problems that might be associated with your disability include:

• Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety
• Loss of your ability to engage in physical activities, such as exercise and playing with children
• Harm to your identity, especially if you were an active person before your injury
• Changes in your personality, whether it is due to a cognitive injury or the overall negative effect of being disabled

Being unable to work may compound these problems, as you may not have access to the funds you need to obtain treatment, feel better, and get back to work.

Call Berger and Green Today

The Center of Budget and Policy Priorities notes that 8.5 million individuals receive disability benefits funded by Social Security, but the journey toward being approved for benefits can take effort.

Hire a Pittsburgh denials and reconsiderations lawyer to help you appeal your claim. A lawyer can provide the level of guidance and assistance you seek and represent you as you plead your case for SSD benefits.

Call Berger and Green today at (412) 661-1400 for more details regarding how we can assist you or a loved one in your pursuit of SSD benefits.