Social Security Disability Lawyer Serving Quincy, WA

A major injury or illness could affect your ability to work. Thankfully, there’s Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), but there’s a chance your initial claim could be denied. Having a lawyer on your side can make a major difference if you need to file an appeal.

Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC has served working people in Grant County and nearby communities since 1954. We have a record of helping the little guy here in Washington. If you need help while dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA), we’ve got your back.

To speak with skilled Social Security Disability lawyers serving Quincy, WA, contact our law firm today. Consultations are free, and you don’t pay unless we win.

Common Reasons Why SSD/SSDI Claims Get Denied

There are just some of the most common causes of SSDI claim denials by the Social Security Administration.

Lack of Work Credits: SSDI can be denied if someone does not have enough work credits or has not worked long enough to be eligible for coverage.
Insufficient Medical Evidence: Your medical evidence may be incomplete or fail to demonstrate the severity of your injuries to qualify for SSDI.
Condition Not Severe Enough: To qualify for SSDI, your condition must prevent you from doing normal job duties and last for at least 12 months.
Inconsistent or Incorrect Information: SSDI claims can be denied for any application errors, inaccurate work information, or missing key deadlines.
Earning Too Much Income: If you can still earn income, you may be denied because you surpass the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) threshold.
Failure to Follow Prescribed Treatment: SSA can deny claims if someone misses appointments, doesn’t follow the treatment plan, or otherwise disobeys the doctor’s orders.

Why You Need to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer

When there are issues involving the Social Security Administration, having a Quincy SSDI lawyer on your side has some major benefits:

A Lawyer Understands How the SSA Evaluates Conditions: An attorney ensures your condition fits the SSA’s guidelines and rules.
An Attorney Can Translate Your Injury Into Work Limitations: A lawyer can connect the dots between your symptoms and how they affect your job performance.
A Lawyer Can Help Compile the Necessary Medical Evidence: An attorney will help you get all the key information you need for the initial filing or appeal.
An Attorney Can Help with Filing Deadlines and Paperwork: A lawyer will ensure you’re filing your appeals and paperwork within any deadlines while avoiding errors.
A Lawyer Can Improve Your Chances During the Appeal Process: Appeals can be complicated, and having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can boost your odds of success.

How the Disability Appeals Process Works in Washington: Timelines, Monthly Benefits, and Back Pay

Below is a general guideline of the SSDI appeals process. Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC can offer a more detailed overview as we work on your case together to secure your benefits.

How Long Does a Disability Claim Take in Washington?

For many people, the timeline is more than six months. It can vary based on the health condition and if you have to go through the appeal process for your denied claim.

You may be able to speed up the claim process through either of the following:

If I’m Denied, How Many Times Can I Appeal?

You have four chances to appeal a denied claim, though the options escalate during the appeals process.

Reconsideration: Reconsideration requests must be submitted within 60 days of the initial denial and are reviewed by a Disability Determination Services examiner.
Hearing: A hearing with an administrative law judge must be requested within 60 days of your reconsideration decision following another denial.
Hearing Review: A hearing review must be requested within 60 days of the initial hearing following another denial. This is handled by the Appeals Council.
Federal District Court Action: If the Appeals Council issues you another denial, you have 60 days to file a Federal District Court review. This is your last opportunity to secure benefits.

Five-Month Waiting Period with One Exception

There is a five-month waiting period for SSDI benefits that begins the first full month after the SSA decides your disability began. Payments will start during the sixth month of disability.

However, there is no waiting period if your disability is caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you get approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020.

How Much Back Pay Can I Receive?

Depending on when your disability began and your supporting documentation, you can receive up to 12 months of SSDI back pay as a lump-sum payment. The back pay is considered separate from any monthly SSDI payments.

Important Evidence to Secure Your Disability Benefits

At Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC, we can help track down key evidence to build a good claim or appeal, including:

Detailed medical documentation, including X-rays, tests, diagnoses, and treatment compliance history
Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form, which measures what you can do mentally and physically despite your medical diagnosis
A statement from your doctor assessing your condition
A personal statement that documents changes in your daily activities, feelings of fatigue, and levels of pain
Evidence that you tried to work but are unable to do so
Supporting statements from family, friends, co-workers, and supervisors

How Our SSD/SSDI Lawyers Help Quincy Residents

Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC is here to help regular working people throughout Quincy and nearby communities. If you’re dealing with the SSA, you need someone to stick up for you and look out for your best interests.

The team at Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC always fights for the little guy. We may be lawyers, but we’re really just normal folks like you.

Se Habla Español: Legal Services in Spanish

Our team has Spanish-speaking lawyers and team members available at our offices. This allows us to help the Spanish-speaking community in Quincy and other parts of Washington.

Our Attorneys Can Accommodate Your Disability and Schedule

If you’re unable to travel because of your injury or illness, our team is more than willing to visit you. Our attorneys can travel throughout Grant County so you can get sound legal counsel about what steps to take next.

If We Don’t Win, You Don’t Pay

Times are tough when you’re unable to work. You don’t need to see yet another bill. In addition to free consultations, we work on a contingency fee basis. Clients only pay legal fees if we don’t win.

Contact Our Quincy Social Security Disability Attorneys Near You

If you live in Grant County and need help filing an appeal with the Social Security Administration, Calbom & Schwab Law Group, PLLC is ready to help however we can. For a free consultation with our Social Security Disability lawyers serving Quincy, contact our Washington law offices today.