A Guide To Becoming A Social Security Advocate – What You Need To Know
If you are considering becoming a Social Security advocate, you’ll need to know what you need to do to prepare. Getting your education is a good start. You can get training from online courses. It’s also a good idea to contact your state disability office for information. This will ensure that you are familiar with all the requirements.
You may also want to consider hiring an attorney to help you with your case. Many attorneys have experience handling Social Security issues. They can explain the application process to you. Also, they can help you prove that your condition prevents you from working. In addition, they can help you show that your condition is severe enough to qualify for benefits.
A social security attorney charges clients only after the benefits are awarded. An attorney has the expertise to gather the proper evidence for your case. However, if an attorney charges you more than you are allowed, you could be banned from representing others.
When you hire an attorney, you should also ask whether they are willing to fight your lawsuit. You can do this by asking about their prior experience. Be sure that they are willing to work with you through the appeals process if you are denied.
Depending on the nature of your disability, you may be eligible to receive a streamlined process. The process will involve less paperwork and a shorter waiting period for new claims. These programs are not automatically available to individuals who don’t have extensive work history. To qualify, you must meet the Social Security Administration’s standards for severity and debilitating effects.
Once you qualify, you’ll need to provide medical records. In particular, you should provide complete and accurate records of your diagnosis, treatment plans, and limitations recommended by your healthcare provider. While you don’t need a college degree to become an advocate, you will need to pass a difficult exam.
Once you have the medical documentation you’ll need to start the application process. The Social Security Administration will review your medical and work history. They will look at your income, as well as your spouse’s income. Generally, the process will take at least a month to 90 days.
After you have submitted your application, you will need to attend a hearing. During this hearing, you will have to prove that you are unable to work in a job that you previously held. For instance, you may need to prove that you cannot be an office admin assistant. At the hearing, you can either go in person or appear via video. Los Angeles Social Security Attorney
Depending on your location, the hearing could take up to a year. Ultimately, your claim will be decided by an administrative law judge (ALJ). Although ALJ’s are supposed to be impartial, the decision can be changed at any stage of the appeals process.
Before you submit an application for benefits, it’s important to learn all you can about the process. There are many resources on the Internet that can help you understand the process.