Never, Never, Ever Quit

A few months ago a client came to my office to file for Social Security disability.  He had worked hard his entire life and had a legitimate disability.  I helped him file the claim and explained that 70 percent are denied before they are approved.  Sure enough, the examining agency denied the claim several weeks later.  The letter said, "We found that you are not disabled according to our rules."  I filed an appeal immediately.

About two months later I received an amazing telephone call.  Someone at the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review had reviewed the case, reversed the original decision and awarded full benefits, including more than $30,000 in back pay.

That's why you can't afford to give up on a disability claim.  Just because someone at Social Security says you are not disabled doesn't mean that you aren't disabled.  I refer back to a recent study which found that 6 out of 10 denied claims could have been approved if they'd had a different disability examiner.  The system is far from perfect and mistakes will be made.  That's why you can't give up.  Never take Social Security's word for it the first time out!  Push the case up the chain of command one step and see what happens.  You have nothing to lose.  And at that second step the odds of winning your benefits are much, much better - especially if you have adequate representation.

May I quote the words of the great statesman, Sir Winston Churchill?  "Never, never, ever quit!"