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When a serious medical condition prevents you from working, Social Security Disability benefits can be essential to maintaining financial stability. Receiving a denial after putting time and effort into your application can leave you wondering what options remain.
A denied disability claim does not always mean you are ineligible for benefits. Our Bessemer City SSD appeal lawyers can evaluate your circumstances, explain the available options, and help you pursue the benefits you may be entitled to receive.
At Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, we have served more than 10,000 clients, many of them facing a denial of important benefits. Learn more about how our Bessemer City Social Security Disability lawyers can help when you contact our team for a free case review.
Why Was My Social Security Disability Claim Denied?
Most disability claims are denied for reasons that have little to do with how sick or injured you are. Social Security rejects a large portion of initial applications nationwide. Some denials come down to a technicality, such as a form submitted after the deadline.
Reviewers also deny claims when the medical file does not connect your diagnosis to specific limitations. A condition listed on paper is not enough. The record has to show what you can no longer do, such as sit, lift, concentrate, or keep a schedule.
Reading the denial notice closely tells you which category your case falls into, and that will determine our strategy. Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will review the denial letter and the full Social Security file to pinpoint the stated reason and build your appeal around it.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Appeal a Disability Denial?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but representation changes how your appeal is prepared and presented. Our Bessemer City SSD appeal attorneys can gather the medical records Social Security actually considers and request opinions from treating doctors.
If a hearing is necessary at the SSA Office of Hearings Operations in Charlotte, we will cross-examine any vocational experts. Our attorneys know the specific listings and rules that apply to your condition, which lets the appeal address the exact reason for the denial.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, handles disability appeals on a contingency basis, so representation costs nothing up front. Our fee is a capped percentage of your past-due benefits, set by federal law, and you owe nothing if the appeal does not secure benefits.
What are Your Options After an SSD Denial?
The Social Security Disability appeals process has several stages. The appropriate next step depends on the type of decision you received and where your claim currently stands. Knowing how these stages work can help prevent a missed deadline.
Request Reconsideration
If your claim is denied, the first step is to ask for reconsideration, where another disability examiner will review your claim. They will look at the evidence you submitted and any new information you provide.
Request an Administrative Law Judge Hearing
If reconsideration also results in a denial, you can ask for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). At this hearing, our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, will explain your situation and present additional evidence. The judge will review your case and decide if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Seek Appeals Council Review
If the ALJ denies your claim, you may ask for a review by the Social Security Appeals Council. The Council will check if the judge made a mistake, and it may also take other actions or deny your request. The Council does not automatically hold a new hearing or start over with your claim.
Pursue a Federal Court Review
If you complete the administrative process without success, you might be able to take your case to federal court. A federal judge will look at the records from the agency and decide if their decision is valid based on the law.
Our SSD appeal lawyers in Bessemer City can help you identify the stage of your claim and understand how long an SSDI appeal takes.
Speak With Our Bessemer City SSD Appeal Attorneys Today
A denial can make it feel as though the door to disability benefits has closed. In many cases, additional review is available, and the next step may give you an opportunity to address problems with the original decision.
If you live in Bessemer City or elsewhere in Gaston County and have received a Social Security Disability denial, do not assume that you have run out of options. Our Bessemer City SSD appeal attorneys will fight for the benefits you are entitled to.
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, has recovered more than $100 million on behalf of clients and their families. Call today to schedule your free case review and tell us about your SSD denial.
