Milton SSI Appeals Lawyer
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can provide vital financial assistance to those who are facing economic challenges because of a disability. Many times, the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies applications for SSI benefits due to a lack of evidence rather than a lack of qualifications. In other words, an applicant who qualifies for benefits may fail to convince the agency of their eligibility.
A Milton SSI appeals lawyer can help if you recently received a denial letter or discontinuance of benefits notice from the SSA. If you qualify for benefits but received a denial, appealing the agency’s decision with our team’s help could help you obtain the income you need.
What Are the Procedures Associated with Appealing a Denial in Milton?
The appeals process for SSI cases in Milton can be complex, and failure to comply with the SSA’s strict requirements will result in a denial. Working with a hearing claims advocate who understands the federal administrative process can help you make the most of your opportunities to demonstrate that you are eligible to receive SSI benefits.
Those who have received rejection letters from the SSA have four opportunities to appeal the agency’s decision, which must be taken in order. An experienced Milton attorney can help ensure that an SSI appeal is filed at the appropriate time to keep the case moving toward a favorable outcome.
Requesting Reconsideration
A claimant can initiate an appeal by requesting reconsideration from the SSA. During this process, SSA staff members review the record to see whether the original decision fits agency guidelines. In many cases, the outcome of reconsideration is the same. If this process does not yield a favorable outcome, an applicant may request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
Administrative Hearing
An administrative law judge is responsible for reviewing the evidence on record and considering arguments presented by both the SSA and the person seeking benefits. The judge can ask investigative questions, and the involved parties may present new evidence and expert witness testimonies to support their claims.
Additionally, an administrative law judge is not restricted to the same interpretation guidelines as SSA staff members, so they have more leeway to grant benefits. For this reason, SSI lawyers in Milton often find that an administrative hearing provides the best opportunity to receive benefits.
What is the Role of the Appeals Council?
If the administrative hearing results in a subsequent denial, the claimant can ask the Appeals Council to review the judge’s decision. The Council may affirm the decision, overturn it, or decline to review the case altogether.
This would be an applicant’s last chance to appeal their SSI case, and they may not submit new evidence, unless there is good cause for not submitting the evidence prior as long as the evidence is within the time period reviewed by the judge. If the ruling is unfavorable, one of our team members can prepare and file an appeal to the Appeals Council on behalf of a disabled claimant.
Enlist the Help of a Milton SSI Appeals Attorney Today
It is advisable to acquire and present the most persuasive evidence of your impairment and financial eligibility as early in the process as possible. For this reason, you should reach out to a Milton SSI appeals lawyer as soon as possible for help with challenging the SSA’s decision on your claim. Call our team today to learn more about how we can help you obtain the full amount of benefits you are entitled to.