Youngstown
Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyer

On This Page

1. A Lawyer’s Role in Youngstown Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals
2. How Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Navigate the Appeals Process for a Youngtown, OH, Claim
3. Our Youngstown Disability Benefits Lawyers Can Work on Appeals for Various SSD Denials
4. Our Youngstown Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyer Can Help With Your SSD Claim – Call Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

October 10, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Receiving an initial denial of your application for Social Security disability benefits can feel overwhelming. When your access to much-needed assistance is on the line, you are right to be concerned about the outcome of your Social Security Disability (SSD) application. Unfortunately initial applications for benefits are denied more often than not. 

Our Youngstown Social Security Disability appeals lawyers will review your initial denial and determine the next steps in the claims process. Remember you must meet strict deadlines in the disability appeals process. You only have 60 days to appeal a denial. 

We handle various denials and have the experience to recognize the path forward to work for approval. We can represent you at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. You can explore your legal representation options with a Youngstown Social Security Disability lawyer during a free consultation today.

A Lawyer’s Role in Youngstown Social Security Disability Claims and Appeals

A lot about the application process for disability benefits can feel isolating—the impersonal assessment of your life and disability, waiting to hear back from the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the denials based on technicalities you could receive. An attorney with experience in SSD benefits can help you feel less alone.

At Berger and Green, our Youngstown Social Security Disability appeals attorney will: 

• Advocate for you, your rights, and your benefits
• Provide access to our team of support staff 
• Ensure you understand SSD terminology 
• Pinpoint strategies to bolster your case
• Review evidence to help your appeal
• Stay on hand to answer any of your questions
• Explain the appeals hearing process and prepare you for it
• Meet all deadlines 
• Speak candidly but compassionately about your case

Most of all, we weather this with you. SSD appeals require completing several steps, progressing from one stage to the next if you don’t receive approval. You deserve to have an experienced lawyer on your side.

We Can Help from the Beginning

Berger and Green’s Youngstown Social Security Disability lawyers can assist with your claim from the start. We can answer your questions about SSD and file your application for benefits. 

Moreover, we are always here for you as a support system. Social Security disability claims are a complex area of law, so having someone behind you who is familiar with the ins and outs can provide peace of mind.

How Our Social Security Disability Attorneys Navigate the Appeals Process for a Youngtown, OH, Claim

Some people think Social Security Disability denies everyone the first time they apply. While this isn’t true, the Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program for 2020 shows a denial rate of 67 percent. Consequently, most people receive a denial and then go through the appeals process. We want to encourage you not to give up on your claim if you are denied benefits, an initial denial is unfortunately common. That means our Youngstown SSD lawyers are familiar with pursuing an appeal—a common step. 

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), appealing a decision made on your claim starts with filing within 60 days of your denial. The process has four levels. If you receive a denial at one stage, we can move to the next. 

Our disability lawyers keep track of the appeals paperwork, deadlines, and any requests made by the Social Security Administration. We recognize how taxing this process is on anyone, let alone someone struggling with a disability, so we find ways to reduce the burden on you. 

The Steps in Your Appeals Process

The path our lawyers follow for Social Security Disability appeals in Youngstown is: 

1. Reconsideration: Someone new with no prior history with your claim reviews your application again.
2. Administrative Law Judge Hearing: An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), also with no prior history with your application, considers your case.
3. Appeals Council Review: If the ALJ does not approve your application, the Appeals Council can review it. 
4. Federal Court Review: Includes a lawsuit in federal district court to fight for your benefits if appropriate for your case.

We can let you know what to expect at your Social Security Disability hearing. We make sure you aren’t caught off guard or unsure of what will happen. Representing you doesn’t just mean being in the room with you, but also doing our best to help you feel prepared for your hearing. 

Our Youngstown Disability Benefits Lawyers Can Work on Appeals for Various SSD Denials

You could face a denied claim for either type of SSD benefits – Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). You qualify for SSDI based on your work history and contributions to Social Security. SSI eligibility is based on your income and assets. You could qualify for one, the other, or both. 

The appeals process is the same for each type. If you receive a denial for an SSDI and SSI claim, your Social Security disability lawyer can file your appeal. 

When you receive your denial, the SSA will list the reason. The most common denials are based on the technicalities of your application and ones based on your medical condition. 

Technical Denials

You could receive a Social Security Disability technical denial if your application has a problem unrelated to your medical condition. For instance, in an SSI claim, you may meet the qualifications for a disabling condition but don’t meet the income requirements. 

Medical Denials

The SSA issues this denial after determining you don’t have a disabling condition. Qualifying conditions appear in SSA’s Blue Book, or the SSA bases them on your residual functional capacity (RFC). The SSA might have denied your claim because it thinks your disability won’t last at least a year or you don’t have enough evidence to prove your disability’s severity. 

Disputing These Denials

We can gather and introduce new evidence through your appeal to rectify errors or provide information missing or inadequate on your initial application.

For instance, we might provide additional evidence of your disability like medical records or doctor’s notes. By understanding the reason you were denied benefits, the team at Berger and Green can build a strong argument for your appeal. 

Our Youngstown Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyer Can Help With Your SSD Claim – Call Today

At Berger and Green, an SSD claim denial is a chance to strengthen your disability benefits claim. Our Youngstown Social Security Disability appeals lawyers can craft a plan to fight for approval, and all at no upfront cost—you don’t pay us an attorney fee until we resolve your case. 

Contact us today for a free consultation before the 60-day deadline.