What Is a Disability Advocate?
A disability advocate is a specialized professional dedicated to assisting individuals in obtaining approval for qualified Social Security Disability claims. Typically, most people seek the assistance of a disability advocate only after their initial Social Security Disability application has been denied, unaware that they are entitled to representation by a Social Security Disability advocate at every stage of the application and appeals process. It's important to note that over two-thirds of initial claims for Social Security Disability benefits are initially denied. This can be attributed, in part, to the stringent criteria established by the Social Security Administration (SSA) for defining disability. According to the SSA, an individual is considered disabled only if they are unable to perform any work they have previously engaged in and cannot reasonably be expected to perform any other available type of work.
Why Disability Advocates?
What Can Your Disability Advocate Do?
Your Social Security Disability advocate can help you file a Request for Reconsideration. He or she can also represent you at your hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Should your case still be denied, your disability advocate can represent your case as it goes before the Social Security Appeals Council and if necessary, can help with your case before Federal Court.
Your disability advocate may be a Social Security lawyer or may simply be a professional who helps people win disability claims. If your disability advocate is a lawyer, he or she may represent you all the way to Federal Court.
There is no regulation requiring you to use a disability advocate during the appeals process, but most claimants find it advantageous. Your chances of having your claim accepted in a timely manner increase dramatically when you have competent representation.
