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What Are Social Security Disability Benefits?

Social Security Disability Benefits are provided by the government to people who have become disabled after working for a certain period.   These benefits take the form of monetary compensation and are meant to protect you from the deleterious effects of any disability that will prevent you from working.   

Am I Eligible To Apply For Social Security Disability Benefits?

To qualify for these benefits, you generally need to have worked for at least 10 years in the past out of which, at least 5 years should have been in the past 10 years.   The actual rules will vary a bit depending on how much you earn and how old you are.   

In addition, you also need to meet the government's definition of "disabled".   The guidelines are that you must be disabled for at least a year and cannot switch to other work.   In the end, the government is the arbitrator and the government decides whether or not you are eligible. 

Why You Need An Attorney To Represent You In Your Claim

 It has been shown statistically that over 2/3rds of Social Security Disability benefits claims are rejected initially.  The Government allows you to appeal this rejection and you can apply for a hearing of you claim.  However, on an average, only 20% of all appeals are approved. 

This is because there are several intricate loops in Social Security law, and the average person simply does not have the experience to take advantage of loops, or to avoid pitfalls.  Your claim can be rejected simply because you were unable to produce the required documentation, or because you did not present your case in a cogent manner. 

Our Attorneys at Clawson & Clawson, LLP, are experienced in the field of Social Security Disability Benefits claims and can ensure that you are not caught in a technicality.  History has shown that those claimants who have a legal representative have a significantly higher number of successful applications than those who do not. 

In addition, you can expect many delays in the application process spanning several months, and even up to a year (and the actual benefits start only 5 months after approval).  The Social Security Disability Benefits application process can include several interviews and hearings.  Your attorney will be able to foresee problems ahead of you and be able to intercept certain demands.  This means that with a Clawson & Clawson, LLP, attorney by your side, you can get Social Security Disability Benefits much faster. 

Also, remember that there are millions of claims being filed and that yours is just one of them.  You need someone to make your case stand out from the rest and get the attention of the authorities. 

As a last resort, you can appeal before an administrative law judge who will impartially decide if you have been unfairly treated, and here too, an attorney is of immeasurable value. 

So do not be caught off guard.  Your disability benefits are important to you and the law changes so frequently that you cannot be blamed for not knowing it all.  Contact a Clawson & Clawson, LLP, attorney to get the ball rolling!