WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CONTACT US ABOUT A DISABILITY CLAIM?

You think you have a disability claim.  You don't know how to get benefits.  You decide to contact us for help with filing your claim and getting it approved.  What can you expect?

1)  We will speak to your briefly on the phone to get basic information about you and your situation.  Then, we will make an appointment with you to come to our Huntsville office for a face-to-face interview at no cost or obligation.

2)  We will spend an hour or so with you in our office, gathering information and reviewing claim. If you decide for us to handle your case, we will ask you to sign forms authorizing us to do so.  We will agree to charge you a fee only if you win your case and collect past due benefits.

3)  We will file the application for you and help gather medical information to prove that you are disabled.  We will handle correspondence and mediation with Social Security on your behalf.

4)  If an appeal is necessary, we will handle the appeal and prepare for the hearing.  We will go to the hearing with you as your legal representative.

We serve all of Alabama and our neighbors in middle Tennessee, as well.  For a free consultation in Athens, Decatur, Huntsville, Albertville or anywhere in north Alabama or middle Tennessee, call us at (256) 799-0297.

Social Security Justice: The Forsythe Firm

AVOID WAITING AN EXTRA 2 YEARS FOR DISABILITY BENEFITS

From the date you file, it takes about 4 months to get a decision on your Social Security disability application.  However, if you are denied, it takes an additional 18 months to get the appeal settled.  That's too long!  How to avoid waiting 2 years for a disability payment?

The Answer:  Send in a perfect application.  Dot every i and cross every t.  Send in every scrap of medical evidence.  Provide Social Security with exactly what they need to approve your claim.  Avoid the extra delay of appeals.

I review denials of disability claims every day.  Sometimes denials are unavoidable.  However, I find many applications that were denied due to careless errors, incomplete information or just misunderstanding what information was being asked for.

Most advocates and law firms will not help you file the initial application.  You have to do that on your own.  Then, if you get denied, the attorney will help you with the appeal.  I take a different approach.

I like to help file the initial application, making sure it is complete, accurate and ready for approval if possible.  Just this week I received two approval notices on applications I had prepared a couple of months ago.  This certainly doesn't always happen but turning in a "squeaky clean" application increases the odds of being approved quickly.

Only about one-third of all applications will be approved without an appeal.  I suspect that applications prepared by attorneys or professional advocates have a much higher approval rate.  

Helping you file your initial application is just one service offered by the Forsythe Firm.  And it doesn't cost you one extra cent.  I feel that the extra 3 or 4 hours we spend on helping with the application is time well spent. Call us today for a free consultation.  (256) 799-0297.

 Social Security Justice: Visit Our Website

CONCENTRATION ISSUES AND DISABILITY

The inability to concentrate or stay focused because of pain, fatigue or a mental issue--such as depression--can affect your ability to work.

Generally, all work requires the ability to stay focused on work related activities for at least two hours at a time.  If an individual must be redirected by a supervisor or given a break more than once every two hours, he or she may not be capable of performing full-time work in a competitive work environment.  This, in turn, would justify a finding of disability.

The first step would generally be to obtain an evaluation from a qualified physician, preferably a psychologist or psychiatrist if a mental impairment is alleged.  You will need to establish the presence of a medical or psychological impairment and also that the impairment could reasonably produce the symptoms that you allege.  Persons who have been under treatment will already have this medical record established, probably.

We must note that Social Security may not recognize the severity of your impairment right away.  They very well may deny the claim, at which point you will file an appeal and request a hearing.  It isn't unusual to need an appeal to get paid.

Our website may provide you with more information about our firm and one of our blogs may provide details useful to your Social Security claim.  My firm handles hundreds of appeals each year and we have an excellent success rate.  

SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE: VISIT OUR WEBSITE
 

1 in 4 PERSONS WILL BE DISABLED BEFORE RETIREMENT AGE

You may be looking forward to retirement and enjoying some of your favorite activities.  Yet, there is a 1 in 4 chance of becoming disabled prior to age 65.

When disability strikes prior to retirement age, Social Security kicks in early to begin payments.  In most cases, a disabled person will receive all of their retirement benefits--which simply start earlier.

To get a benefit, you must prove that you are disabled "according to Social Security rules."  Social Security has a very strict definition of disability.  Generally, you must be unable to perform any of your past relevant work or any other work on a full-time basis.

Many claimants are denied and the denial letter simply says, "You are not disabled according to our rules."  These common denials can be appealed, and the appeal is where most claims are actually won.

My firm will look at your case with an experienced eye.  I have handled hundreds of cases like yours and I will advise you on the best course of action.  If I represent you, I will never charge you a fee until 2 things happen:

1.  You win your claim and get paid.
2.  You recover back payments or retroactive payments.

A disability is difficult physically, emotionally and financially.  Don't waste time.  Get the help you need to resolve your claim as quickly as possible, at no financial risk to yourself.  Call us for a free consultation today.  (256) 7990-0297

FORSYTHE FIRM: SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE 

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS IN ATHENS, AL

There are 3 ways to apply for Social Security disability if you live in Athens, AL.

1)  Call the Social Security office in Decatur, AL at 1-888-289-9185.  The Decatur office serves Limestone, Morgan and Lawrence Counties.

2)  Go online at www.socialsecurity.gov and click "Disability" and then "Apply for Disability."  There are long forms to complete.

3)  Contact the Forsythe Firm at (256) 799-0297 for a free consultation.  We may be able to complete your forms for you.

Once you file your application, expect a 3 to 4 month wait for Social Security to make an initial decision.  Unfortunately, about two-thirds of decisions are unfavorable (denials).  If your claim is denied, you must appeal within 60 days.

The appeal will take your claim to a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ).  This is actually where most disability claims get approved.  My firm can represent you and prepare for the hearing.  As your representative, I will attend the hearing with you and seek to obtain the maximum benefit you are entitled to.

And there is no charge unless you win + recover back pay.

Contact us for a free consultation.  We may be able to answer your questions over the phone.

Forsythe Firm: Social Security Justice 

ATHENS ALABAMA - SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ADVOCATE

My full-time job is helping disabled individuals get Social Security benefits.  This can mean up to $2,687 per month in income for a person who has a long-term impairment.

Here are the basic requirements for a disability check:

• an impairment lasting at least 12 consecutive months
• inability to perform any work in the US economy
• sufficient work history to be covered by Social Security
• medical evidence to prove a severe impairment

My firm will help you file a complete application and gather medical records to prove disability.  If your claim is denied (as often happens) we will file an appeal for you.  Your chances of being paid are much better with the appeal.

Best of all, we never charge you a fee unless you WIN your case and recover past due benefits.  Sometimes these past due benefits can be over $50,000.

If you live in Athens, Ardmore, Decatur, Huntsville or anywhere in North Alabama, please call us for a free consultation and case evaluation.  (256) 799-0297.

Learn more about us on our website.

FORSYTHE FIRM: SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE   

Call (256) 799-0297