Document, Document, Document: The Importance of Documentation in Filing a Social Security Claim

As any Social Security attorney in Atlanta can tell you, most Social Security disability claims are initially denied. However, the reason is not, as some people suspect, because the Social Security Administration is trying to save money by denying legitimate claims. Rather, claims are most often denied because the accompanying form was not properly filled out or because supporting documentation for the claim was either not included or was insufficient. Many people who have paid into Social Security for a good portion of their lives can feel affronted when what they believe is a legitimate claim for the Social Security benefits to which they think they are entitled is denied. However, a denial letter from Social Security is not necessarily a statement that they believe you to be undeserving of the benefits, but that they require further proof or documentation of your eligibility. When a Social Security claim is denied, there is an opportunity for appeal. The appeal process gives you the opportunity to prove your case, as it were, to the Administration. However, the appeal forms and paperwork are similar to the initial application, so if there was an issue with those, there could be an issue with the appeal. This is where an experienced Social Security attorney in Atlanta can be invaluable. Unlike most residents of Atlanta who may deal with government forms and regulations during tax time alone, a Social Security attorney in Atlanta is familiar with all of the forms and procedures of the Administration. Sometimes, understanding what information the form is asking for is half the battle and a Social Security attorney not only understands what is being asked, but also knows how to deliver that information in a way that will be acceptable and convincing. The appeals process can sometimes be long and involved. In some cases, a claim can travel all the way to Federal District Court on appeal. Your Social Security attorney in Atlanta understands that process and can help you to navigate through it. In addition, your attorney has years of experience in amassing all of the documentation needed to support your claim. Whether it is doctor’s reports or statements from your employer, your attorney will do everything that is necessary to assemble and present the documentation to prove your claim and win your appeal. You have worked hard all of your life, and your expectation that you receive the benefits to which you are entitled is not unreasonable. The Social Security administration may simply need some convincing that your claim is as reasonable as you believe it to be. Do not leave that convincing to chance; retain the services of a Social Security attorney in Atlanta today to get the benefits that you deserve.