The chances of receiving a favorable decision depend on several factors. How well the case has been developed, the severity of the impairment, the claimant’s age and education as well as the quality of medical records accumulated on the claimant’s behalf are all considered when making a determination in a Social Security Disability or SSI case. Hiring a lawyer to help the claimant also factors into increasing the chances of being awarded benefits.
It is important that the claimant continue to see his or her doctors and specialists so that the disability examiner or Administrative Law Judge has plenty of information when making the determination whether the claimant is disabled. The agency or the claimant’s lawyer can then request those records. These records are key in proving that the claimant is disabled. The claimant’s age and education are taken into consideration as well. The older the claimant is and the more physically demanding work the claimant did in the past, the better the claimant’s chances of getting a favorable decision.
Most claimants are denied at the initial application and the reconsideration stages. It is important that these claimants appeal so that they have an opportunity to appear before an Administrative Law Judge to explain how their impairments prevent them from working full time.
In order to help preserve the claimant’s rights, it is in their best interest to hire a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer significantly increases the chances of being awarded benefits as lawyers can assist in accumulating medical documentation and successfully arguing the case.
