what does an social security intake attorney do

by Fae D'Amore 7 min read

A Social Security lawyer has specialized knowledge in the rules and regulations of the Social Security disability claims process. He or she may advise individuals who are applying for disability benefits, but typically spends most of his or her time working with people who have been denied disability benefits.

A Social Security attorney will ensure that you are adequately prepared for your hearing. While you will still need to speak for yourself, he or she will represent you at the conference. Additionally, your lawyer will ask questions of your witnesses, as well as address any expert witnesses, such as vocational experts.Mar 5, 2018

Full Answer

What does a Social Security disability lawyer do?

Feb 09, 2022 · First, your lawyer will review your denial letter from Social Security to get the agency's reasons it denied your claim so that these issues can be resolved in your favor. (For more information, see our article on denial notices.) Next, your attorney will develop a "theory" of why you're disabled under Social Security disability law.

What does the Office of the Secretary of Social Security do?

If an attorney or non-attorney whom Social Security has found eligible for direct payment represents you, we withhold up to 25 percent of your past-due benefits to pay toward the fee. We pay all or part of the representative’s fee from this money and send you any money left over.

Why work for SSA?

Jun 23, 2019 · Does Social Security Recognize Power of Attorney? For people who are aging, ill, or have a disability and expect to be in situations where they will no longer have the capability to oversee their own personal matters, it is common to have a lawyer draft a power of attorney. In very simple terms, a power of attorney is a legally binding document that allows you as the …

How do I get a power of attorney for Social Security?

Maintenance of the case after the request for hearing - During the time you are waiting for your disability hearing to be scheduled, your attorney will monitor the claim and stay in receipt of notices from the social security office and from the hearing office. When the hearing is getting closer to being scheduled, the hearing office may send an exhibit list to your attorney.

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How do you know if your SSDI hearing went well?

When you do finally receive your Notice of Decision from the ALJ, read it closely. It will say whether you have been approved for benefits or denied, along with the rationale for how that determination was made. If you are successful, you'll either receive a fully favorable or a partially favorable decision.Nov 26, 2019

What conditions automatically qualify you for disability?

What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability?Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., bone, joint injuries, skeletal spine injuries)Special senses and speech (e.g., visual disorders, blindness)Respiratory disorders (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma)More items...

What does a claims specialist do for the Social Security Administration?

Claims Specialist. Employees in these positions assist individuals in establishing entitlement to benefits under Social Security programs. You will have contact with the public either in face-to-face interviews or by telephone.

How long does it take Social Security to review your case?

* How long does it take to make a decision? Generally, it takes about 3 to 5 months to get a decision. However, the exact time depends on how long it takes to get your medical records and any other evidence needed to make a decision.

What are the top 10 disabilities?

3 days agoWhat Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue. This group made up 29.7% of all people receiving Social Security benefits. ... Mood Disorders. ... Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries.More items...

What are the top 5 disabilities?

Here are 10 of the most common conditions that are considered disabilities.Arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems. ... Heart disease. ... Lung or respiratory problems. ... Mental illness, including depression. ... Diabetes. ... Stroke. ... Cancer. ... Nervous system disorders.More items...•Oct 16, 2017

What is the Social Security amount for 2020?

When it comes to Social Security for the year 2020, the full retirement age is 66 and 2 months. For most people reading this, your full retirement age will likely be closer to 67. That being said, the maximum Social Security benefit for someone at full retirement age in 2020 is $3,011 per month.May 3, 2020

What does SSA stand for in post office?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is going back to the mail, bucking the digital trend it embraced just 3 years ago.

What is the phone number to Social Security Administration?

(800) 772-1213Social Security Administration / Customer service

Who makes the final decision on Social Security disability?

The Administrative Law Judge will evaluate all the evidence on record, including any additional evidence submitted up to 5 business days prior to the hearing, and will issue a decision as to whether you suffer from a disability.

What should you not say in a disability interview?

The following five statements should never be announced at your disability hearing.“I can't work because no one will hire me.” ... “I don't know why I'm here. ... “I don't do chores because my significant other, friend or family member does them.” ... “I have never used drugs or alcohol in my life.”More items...•Oct 17, 2014

Does Social Security tell you when you are being investigated?

The SSA will not tell you that you are under investigation. Find out more about SSA investigations and Cooperative Disability Investigations (CDI) here.Jul 1, 2021

What Happens When I First Call A Disability Attorney?

When you first contact an attorney for representation, either the attorney or a firm staff member will conduct an initial interview with you to gat...

How Will My Attorney Develop My Medical Evidence?

Your attorney, or a staff member in the law firm, will request the medical records needed to win your claim and submit them to the Social Security...

How Will My Attorney Help Me Get Ready For My Hearing?

It is not unusual for attorneys to wait until a month or two before a disability hearing to first speak to a client. Up to that point, your only co...

Will My Attorney Arrange Witnesses For Me?

The SSA allows you to bring a witness to testify about your disability, but because witnesses can be harmful or helpful, your attorney will decide...

How Will My Attorney Argue My Case?

Your disability lawyer will determine the best way to win your case. First, your lawyer will review your denial letter from Social Security to get...

Why is a power of attorney important?

Having a power of attorney drawn up is important for many people who are close to retirement age. If you are concerned about what will happen to your 401K or IRA annuities if you become incapacitated, a power of attorney will allow your loved ones to manage those financial matters.

What is a power of attorney?

In very simple terms, a power of attorney is a legally binding document that allows you as the principal to appoint another person as your agent. Your agent then has the power to make decisions on your behalf. In your power of attorney, you can establish the extent of representation you wish to allow your agent to have.

What happens if you are denied a reconsideration appeal?

It is at this point that your claim may grind to a relative halt.

How long does it take to get a disability decision?

Claims are usually decided by disability examiners in under four months but they can take longer. There are no deadlines for arriving at decisions on disability claims and some claims have been known to take as long as a year even at the application level (though this is somewhat rare). At this level of the system, ...

Is SSDRC a SSA website?

For the sake of clarity, SSDRC.com is not the Social Security Administration, nor is it associated or affiliated with SSA. This site is a personal, private website that is published, edited, and maintained by former caseworker and former disability claims examiner, Tim Moore, who was interviewed by the New York Times on the topic ...

What is exhibit list?

This is basically a listing of everything that is already in the file to be considered at the hearing.

What is a benefit authorizer?

Benefit Authorizers are responsible for updating beneficiary records, making sure that payment is made to the beneficiary and preparing correspondence to beneficiaries regarding their benefits. These positions may require contact with the public by telephone. Entry into these positions is at GS-5 or GS-7.

What is the purpose of OHO?

The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) shares the same mission as the rest of the Social Security Administration (SSA): "To promote the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs. ".

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Function

  • You can occupy one of a number of positions in which you will conduct investigations and make decisions regarding the approval or denial of claims for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. Many involve direct contact with the public, others require contact primarily by telephone. Your will receive training in Social Security and State laws in order to perform the duti…
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Benefits

  • Employees in these positions assist individuals in establishing entitlement to benefits under Social Security programs. You will have contact with the public either by face-to-face interviews or by telephone. These contacts will allow you to obtain, clarify, and verify information which will be used to analyze claims and make decisions regarding entitlement to benefits. Depending upon y…
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Services

  • These positions involve providing assistance to the public similar to the claims specialist position. Employees answer a wide variety of questions from the public by interviewing the individual, investigating the situation and resolving the problem. Service representatives are located in the Social Security field offices and have direct contact with the public. Customer Service Represent…
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Future

  • Benefit Authorizers can advance to the GS-9 level. Further career development is to technical assistant or specialist positions or the claims specialist position.
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Mission

  • The Office of Hearings Operations (OHO) shares the same mission as the rest of the Social Security Administration (SSA): \"To promote the economic security of the nation's people through compassionate and vigilant leadership in shaping and managing America's Social Security programs.\"
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Activities

  • OHO holds hearings and renders decisions on claims denied at the initial level. Most of the work involves disability issues.
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Locations

  • OHO in the Kansas City Region consists of a Regional Office, located in Kansas City, MO, and 9 Hearings Offices located in Creve Coeur, MO, Kansas City, MO, Omaha, NE, St. Louis, MO, Springfield, MO, West Des Moines, IA, Wichita, KS, Topeka, KS, and Columbia, MO
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Staff

  • The Hearing Office staff is comprised of clerical, technical, and professional positions. The grades of the positions range from GS-4 Case Technician (OA) to GS-14 Hearing Office Director, and SES (Senior Executive Service) level for the Administrative Law Judges (ALJ's).
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Scope

  • The nature of the work is front-line service to Social Security claimants, technical casework, and administrative functions. Staff perform work in both individual and group environments.
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