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Social Security Disability Appeals

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Lawyer For Social Security Disability Appeal

If your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claim has been denied, the experienced Arizona social security disability lawyers at Matt Fendon Law Group are ready to help you appeal your denied social security disability appeal and seek the benefits you need.

During SSDI hearing proceedings, we can prepare your case so that the administrative law judge (ALJ) understands your disability has left you unable to work. We can submit all the relevant medical evidence and documentation. We can communicate with the doctors who have treated you. Our SSDI attorney can also help prepare you for questions the ALJ may ask at the hearing.

Allow the Arizona disability attorneys at Matt Fendon Law Group to fight for the SSDI benefits you need and deserve. Call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Appeal Disability?


Working with an experienced Arizona disability lawyer can make appealing a disability denial much easier. Here are a few reasons why hiring an attorney is helpful:

  1. Save time and effort. After learning that their SSDI claim was denied, many applicants believe that they have to go through the application process again. However, this is often not the best course of action. An attorney can help you appeal the decision made by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This will save you time and effort. A lawyer will also explore the best course of action to take following a denial.
  2. Represent you during the appeals process. Having a lawyer during the appeals process will give your denial a much better chance of being overturned. An attorney can provide you with a sense of comfort in knowing you have a skilled legal advocate looking after your best interests.
  3. Gather evidence and documentation. Evidence and documentation are extremely important for disability appeals. SSDI claims are often denied because the applicant presented insufficient evidence as to why benefits are needed. A lawyer can make sure you provide the proper evidence to the SSA. A lawyer will work to present irrefutable evidence that shows disability benefits are absolutely necessary.

Common Reasons SSDI Claims Are Denied

Common reasons SSDI claims are denied include:

  1. Insufficient evidence. The SSA typically awards SSDI benefits to disabled individuals who are low-income or unable to work. While employees of any age may apply for benefits, you must show that your medical condition qualifies you for benefits. If you have insufficient evidence of your disability, you are unlikely to be approved.
  2. Failure to cooperate or follow treatment. When you submit your medical records, they will be examined by the SSA. The agency will evaluate whether you have followed your doctor’s treatment plan and cooperated with the doctor’s medical advice. If you have failed to cooperate and follow treatment, those decisions will undermine your case and result in a denial.
  3. Denial on previous application. All too often, people mistakenly file a new SSDI claim rather than appealing the initial application. Doing this could result in an automatic denial. The experienced Arizona disability appeal lawyers at Matt Fendon Law Group can manage your appeal. That will keep you on track toward the SSDI benefits you need.

How to Appeal a Denied SSDI Claim

The steps to appealing a denied SSDI claim include:

  1. Read the explanation. A denial letter from the SSA should explain why you were denied benefits. Often errors or omissions in the original records led to automatic denial. These mistakes can be corrected with the help of an experienced disability attorney.
  2. Request a reconsideration. Very few denials are reversed during reconsideration, but this is the first necessary step of the appeals process. During reconsideration, your denial can be overturned if there was a critical error. This phase will include a complete review of the original claim by a Disability Determination Services representative.
  3. Request a hearing. A hearing is held before an ALJ, whose job is to uphold or overturn denials. The highest level of approvals and overturned denials occur at this stage of the process.
  4. Request an appeals council review. If the ALJ stage still results in a denial, you can file your request with the Appeals Council Review. The council only looks for flaws or mistakes made by the ALJ. If no errors are found, it is unlikely a denial will be overturned.

What to Expect at a Social Security Disability Hearing

You can expect these steps and actions at your hearing:

  • You will be questioned by the ALJ. These questions will deal with your medical condition, medical treatments, past employment and educational background. You should be ready to discuss any limitations caused by your disability and how your life has been affected.
  • Your lawyer can speak on your behalf. Your attorney can help argue your case. Your attorney may even ask you questions to give the judge a better understanding of your medical condition.
  • Expert witnesses may be asked about your condition. Witnesses can provide details about your inability to work at your current job. They may also discuss jobs that they believe you could perform despite your medical issues.
  • You will not receive a decision that day. It could take up to 30 days to be notified of the ALJ’s decision. Under certain circumstances, the ALJ may give a bench decision to let you know if your appeal will be approved.

Talk to a Disability Appeal Attorney in Arizona Now

The SSDI appeal lawyers in Arizona at Matt Fendon Law Group fight for the legal rights of disabled workers. Our highly skilled and compassionate attorneys will handle all aspects of your disability appeals process.

If you have a denied Social Security disability appeal, we will work tirelessly to seek the SSDI benefits you deserve. Call now to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

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