Diligent Mobile, AL Social Security Disability Lawyer

At Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C., we know how difficult it is to face a disability that leaves you unable to earn a living. We work hard to obtain the benefits you worked hard to earn while you could. With more than 30 years of legal expertise, Mobile Social Security disability lawyer Byron A. Lassiter, along with his highly trained support staff, has an in-depth understanding of the Social Security system and how to obtain the benefits you are entitled to receive.

Social Security disability benefits in Southern Alabama

Social Security was originally created to help retiring workers who needed some form of income and benefits. When Social Security disability benefits were next created, they were basically an early retirement for workers who were no longer able to earn a meaningful living because of their disability.

While most employees work hard to earn a living and provide for themselves and their loved ones, few stop to think about what will happen if they become disabled and unable to work. But, according to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old worker has a 30 percent chance of becoming disabled before reaching the age of retirement.

If you find that your disability has left you unable to earn an income, our Social Security disability lawyer and staff are here to help you get the benefits you need, including Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. To learn whether you qualify for disability benefits, please see the requirements for Social Security disability. To learn more about the different types of benefits you may be eligible to receive, please see our page on the difference between SSI and SSDI.

What Does a Social Security Disability Attorney Do?

If you are disabled and in need of Social Security disability benefits, the primary role of an attorney is to represent you successfully so that the Social Security Administration approves your claim. To this end, a Social Security disability attorney will be responsible for many different elements of your claim, including–

• Reviewing your case. The first thing that a Social Security disability attorney will do is review your case free of charge. This is an opportunity for the attorney to learn a little bit more about you and your disability and whether or not you may qualify for benefits, as well as an opportunity for you to learn about the attorney and what working with them will look like. Come to this meeting prepared with as much documentation about your disability as possible, as well as questions that you’d like to ask the attorney about both the process and their specific experience/services.
• Explaining the benefit program types. After you and an attorney decide to work together, it will be your attorney’s job to determine which type of benefit program you qualify for (SSDI or SSI) and explain to you why. In some cases, you may be eligible for both benefit programs. Your attorney may also be able to suggest other sources of compensation or support. An attorney can help you to understand how much time your claim may take to process and whether or not your condition qualifies for a compassionate allowance.
• Expediting your claim. In some cases, the SSA will expedite claims through what’s known as the Compassionate Allowances If an applicant is suffering from a certain condition, such as a rapidly progressing disease, then the amount of time that the claim takes to process may be shortened.
• Collecting and organizing medical evidence and other documentation. The Social Security disability application process requires attention to detail and carefully submitting the right evidence and documentation. At the office of Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C., our lawyers have been filing disability applications for three decades and know what the SSA is looking for. Before we even start to file your application, we’ll work with you to gather the important evidence and documentation that we know the SSA will want. We have the resources to ensure that evidence is properly collected, handled, and organized.
• Preparing and filing your application. Once we are confident that we have gathered all of the critical documentation that will be necessary for your claim, we will start preparing your application. We’ll walk you through every step of the application to ensure that it is filled out accurately and in full. Once the application is complete, we can submit the application on your behalf.
• Representing you in any contact with the SSA. Sometimes, the Social Security Administration will contact an applicant requesting additional information, asking an applicant to undergo a medical exam/consultative exam, and more. If you are contacted by the SSA, we can help you to understand what the SSA is asking and how you should proceed. We can also represent you directly in any conversations with representatives from the SSA.

• Representing you during the appeals process. When you work with an attorney, the chances of your claim being approved the first go-around are improved; an attorney knows what the SSA is looking for and the best practices for improving the outcome of your case. If your claim is not approved, though, then your attorney will be available to help you during the appeals process. An attorney will make sure that you file your appeal within the required time frame (60 days from receiving the notice of a denied claim), will represent you during a hearing, and more.

How Long Does It Take to Get Approved for SSD Benefits?

Unfortunately, applying for and obtaining SSD benefits is not a quick process.

It can take between three and four months to receive a decision on an initial application for benefits. If your request is denied, you will need to file an appeal, and this can also be a lengthy and complex process.

You have 60 days to file for the first level of appeals, which is a Request for Reconsideration. This can take roughly another three months. There are three other levels of appeals, and each one takes substantially longer to complete.

The best course of action is to have your initial application as complete as possible so that it is approved as early in the process as possible. An experienced disability lawyer can help.

Specializing in Social Security disability appeals

If your disability claim is taking too long and you fear it may be denied, or if you have already received a denial of benefits, our Baldwin County Social Security disability attorney and staff are highly experienced at all levels of Social Security disability appeals, including Social Security disability hearings by an administrative law judge. While attorney Byron Lassiter is in court fighting for your rights to benefits, our staff is standing by to answer all your questions, communicate your input to Mr. Lassiter and resolve any of your concerns and needs as efficiently as we can.

Experience, expertise and efficiency at Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C.

If you have a disability that makes it impossible for you to earn a living anymore, Social Security disability benefits may provide the financial relief you need. To learn more about how our Social Security disability attorney in Mobile may be able to help you obtain the benefits you deserve, contact Byron A. Lassiter & Associates, P.C. online or call toll free 800.544.3568 to schedule a free initial consultation. There are no fees unless we win benefits for you.