If You Did Not Hire a Social Security Lawyer, Can You Still Get Copies of Your File Before a Hearing?
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by: albert.tobega
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Q: How do you make sure you are prepared for a scheduled hearing for a social security disability claim?
A: A hearing is your last opportunity to receive approval for disability benefits. It is important, therefore, to be ready for your hearing. If you do not already have a social security lawyer, it may be wise to consider hiring one. Statistically, a social security lawyer provides representation for most cases that are awarded benefits after being heard by an administrative judge. Although your attorney will help assure you are prepared, there are some things you can do to feel confident going into your hearing. First, know when and where your hearing is scheduled. Know which route you are going to take and where to park. Build in plenty of transportation time, so you will not be late. Being tardy to your scheduled appointment will likely mean your claim cannot be heard, which will result in long delays due to rescheduling. You want a decision to be made on your claim. Always make sure you are dressed appropriately for a court appearance and are mindful of the decorum expected in a courtroom. The next big item to help you prepare for your hearing is make sure that the office handling your hearing has current and complete medical information regarding your case. Your claim cannot be adjudicated appropriately, unless the judge has recent and thorough data about your condition. Your social security lawyer will handle this for you, if you have one. The last helpful hint is simply to understand your own case. Again, this is less crucial for those represented by an attorney, since he or she will have a copy of your file and be well versed on its contents. If you do not have a lawyer, however, it is extremely important to request a copy of your file well before your hearing date. All claimants are entitled to receive a copy of their files at any point. It is best to make that request as soon as you file your appeal, so you can begin to familiarize yourself with the contents well before your court appearance.
Q: If you do not have a social security lawyer, how do you get updates on a claim?
A: You can check the status of your claim even if you do not have a social security lawyer. It is usually easiest to touch base with the examiner assigned to your claim, rather than the office where you filed your claim. If you do not have contact information for that examiner, contact the social security office where you filed your claim and ask for the number. Make sure to tell them that you are calling regarding the status of your claim. You can also check the status of your claim online at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/IAPS/applicationStatus.
Q: Can you file for social security disability online?
A: Yes, you can apply online. Visit http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability for more information. There are additional resources to help you know if you should apply and walk you through the necessary steps. Related Articles Social security disability -- Social security benefits -- Social security disability --
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