Social Security Appeals

Pittsburgh Social Security Appeal Lawyer

If your initial Social Security Disability (SSD) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application is rejected, you should not lose heart. A large number of SSD and SSI claims are rejected when they are first made. Our firm, Sweeney Law Offices, has extensive experience representing clients at the reconsideration and appeals levels, and the knowledge and determination needed to obtain results.

Call us at 724.390.4464 or 866.540.4180 Toll Free for a free consultation. Sweeney Law Offices wants to help you obtain the benefits you need to live a more comfortable and secure life.

The SSI and SSD Claim and Appeals Process

There are numerous stages at which to appeal the claim rejection, first administratively and later in federal court. The SSI and SSD claim appeals process works as follows:

Filing a claim — You must first file a claim with the Social Security Administration. Our firm can inform you about the process, but we do not represent clients at this stage.

Requesting a Reconsideration — You can ask the Social Security Administration to reconsider your claim. Our firm will prepare and present this request on your behalf.

A Reconsideration Hearing Before an ALJ — If the reconsideration request fails, we will ask for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). At this hearing, Sweeney Law Offices will present medical records, test results, and other documentation in order to obtain approval for your claim.

Appeals Council — If the ALJ hearing fails, our attorneys will continue to develop your case — by collecting additional documentation and new material evidence. If we are successful, the case returns to the ALJ where we will seek to overcome the claim denial.

In rare cases, we can even appeal to the federal court system.

Obtaining All of Your Benefits

Sometimes the Social Security Administration will approve a claim, but try to reduce the amount of the monthly benefit based on an assessment of your disability. In other cases, it may try to base the reduction on the date of the claim (the alleged onset date) rather than on the actual date of the onset of your condition. In these cases, we can reapply for an increase, by filing an onset appeal on your behalf.

Sweeney Law Offices wants to help you receive all of the benefits you are entitled to.

For a consultation with Sweeney Law Offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, call 724.390.4464 or 866.540.4180 Toll Free or contact us online.