HEARNGS FOR LIMESTONE COUNTY RESIDENTS

Residents of Limestone County who are denied for Social Security disability benefits will have their appeals assigned to one of two hearing offices:  either the OHO office in Florence or the OHO office in Franklin, TN.

A federal administrative law judge (ALJ) will be assigned to review the appeal and eventually hold a hearing.  These hearings have become a very routine, normal part of the disability application process.  Over 70 percent of applications are denied, requiring an appeal and a hearing.

In fact, an entire legal industry has sprung up around Social Security disability hearings.  about 1,500 administrative law judges work every day--just hearing Social Security disability appeals.  Thousands of attorneys and non-attorney advocates earn their living representing claimants who are headed for a hearing to try to get their benefits.

Some facts you must know if your SSDI claim is denied:

• You only have 60 days to file an appeal.  No more.
• To be successful, your appeal must follow requirements in the written law or regulations for SSDI/SSI.
• Your medical record must be up to date before your hearing date.
• At the hearing, you need to be able to explain how you meet all the legal requirements for a Social Security disability check.
• You are entitled to get a representative to assist you and pay no fee unless your appeal is successful and results in pay past due payments to you.

If you need help with a Social Security disability application, claim, appeal or hearing, please contact us here in Huntsville.  We handle claims all over Alabama and Middle Tennessee.

THE FORSYTHE FIRM
PH  (256) 799-0297
Located Across from Bridge Street Town Centre

FORSYTHE FIRM: SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE 

YOUR DISABILITY CHECK CAN BE CUT OFF

Many people assume that once they receive a Social Security disability (SSDI) check, their benefit can never be stopped.  This is not true.

Social Security now performs tens of thousands of Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) to determine whether disability checks should be stopped.  Under a 1984 law, disability benefits may be terminated if:

a) There has been significant medical improvement since the benefit was started,

b)  The claimant is now able to work.

How do Continuing Disability Reviews work?

The claimant will get a letter notifying him or her that a review is taking place.  The claimant will be told to submit any medical evidence they wish to be considered.  They will be asked to return a form providing the name and address of doctors, hospitals and other medical providers who are providing treatment.  It is very important to return this form.

When the CDR is complete, the claimant is notified by mail of the decision.  If the decision is to terminate benefits, the claimant may appeal in one of the following manners:

1)  Within 10 days, file an appeal stating that you wish for benefits to be continued pending the outcome of the appeal.  (If the appeal is eventually unfavorable, Social Security will ask for this money to be paid back to them).

2)  Within 30 days, file an appeal that does not ask for benefits to be continued during the appeal. Your benefits will stop on the date stated in the letter and will only be reinstated if you win your appeal.

What is the best protection against having benefits cut off?  The answer is:  Keep seeing your doctor regularly, take your medicine and follow medical advice.  A lot of problems come up with Continuing Disability Reviews because individuals get their disability checks started, then stop seeing the doctor.  Social Security will nearly always take this to mean that there has been medical improvement.  They will likely use it to try to stop benefits. 

ATHENS AL DISABILITY 2018 - DO YOU NEED A DISABILITY CHECK?

Surviving disability in 2018 means getting a check from the Social Security Administration.  SSDI is the only major financial aid available to the average disabled worker in the United States.  It can pay up to $2,600 per month in cash.

The problem is, Social Security will deny 75 percent of all the claims filed in 2018.  There is a "secret" to winning your benefits, which is really not a secret at all.

• Apply and get denied.  Then, file an immediate written appeal (which takes about 30 minutes).
•  Prepare for a personal meeting with a decision maker at a hearing.  Be sure to submit all medical evidence, include all new evidence (doctors' records) well in advance of this hearing.
• Consider an attorney or advocate to prepare for the hearing, attend the hearing with you, and help you meet the rules for becoming an SSDI beneficiary.
•  There is a reason why some people get benefits and some do not.  Largely, it is because some people take time to find out what the rules require and some do not.  Those who do often win, the others usually lose.

My firm here in Huntsville serves Athens and Limestone County--including the communities of Athens, Elkmont, Ardmore, East Limestone, Lester, Tanner, etc.  I am an experienced disability advocate and have attended hundreds of SSDI hearings.  I offer free consultations and never charge a fee unless you win your claim and collect past due benefits (also called "back pay").  If you don't win you owe me nothing--zero--nada.

From anywhere in north Alabama, you may contact me at (256) 799-0297.

Charles Forsythe
The Forsythe Firm
PH (256) 799-0297

Located at:  7027 Old Madison Pike NW, Suite 108
                    Huntsville, AL 35806
                    Directly in Front of the Bridge Street Mall

SOCIAL SECURITY JUSTICE - HOW WE HELP