Social Security Lawyer Questions for Social Security Claims
Q: Why do I have to see a social security medical examiner after I apply for disability?
A: Many people who file for disability benefits through Social Security are asked to go through a consultation with one of their doctors. Your representative will refer to it as a consultative examination. The representative assigned to your file asks for the consultative examination. If you are currently undergoing a hearing on your case, the judge may also request it. A CE is usually requested for two reasons. If your medical records are not very current, an exam will be helpful. Current information is usually needed to process your case. The second reason would be because your medical files are not complete. For example, you may not have a recent test that might be necessary to determine the status of your injury. A call for a consultative examination is not an indication that your case will not be approved. But it does mean that your file cannot be fully reviewed until the information from the CE is obtained. If one is requested, you will have to participate in the CE. If you have any questions or concerns about your particular CE, you many wish to contact a social security lawyer.
Q: Do I need to hire a social security lawyer if my initial application for disability through Social Security was denied?
A: If your application for disability was denied, you should appeal and it is wise to hire a social security lawyer to help with the process. Many applications for social security disability benefits are denied. Just because a case is denied, does not mean it cannot win in appeal. Some applications are not approved because of incomplete data or missteps in the application process. Having a social security lawyer on your side during an appeal process will guarantee that your case will be adjudicated properly. Having a social security lawyer handle your appeal will not guarantee that you will win, but it will give you a better chance than if you handled the process on your own.
Q: After I apply for disability, do I need to check the status of my application?
A: Yes, you should follow up on the status of your application. If you have a social security lawyer, he will do it for you, but you should also check in with your lawyer. In some cases, paperwork can be misplaced. It is also possible that notification regarding a case could be lost. There are many stages your application must go through to be reviewed. Without knowing it, your file may not be able to go to a next step because you were not aware of information that was needed. It is always wise to check the status of your file from time to time. To check on the status, it is best to contact the disability examiner assigned to your case. Most applications are reviewed within 4 months. You will want to check the status of your application if you have not heard anything during that time.