USUAL PATH TO SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY

 After practicing Social Security disability law for decades, we have found that the typical path to getting Social Security disability benefits is this:

Step 1:  File a claim.  If you are under age 55, the application will usually be denied after 5 or 6 months.  Reason given:  "You have some limitations which may prevent you from doing your past work; however, there is other work that you are able to do."

Step 2:  File for "Reconsideration," asking the same state agency to review your claim again.  The usual result is another denial after 3 to 4 months.  The reason usually given:  "Our experts have reviewed your information and found that our decision was correct according to the law."

Step 3:  File a Request for Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge.  After a few months, you will be scheduled for a hearing with a judge.  Take your attorney with you--because the judge will expect an expert legal presentation of your case.

 A majority of disability cases that get paid go before an Administrative Law Judge and are paid after a hearing.  It's easy to think of a hearing or judge as an extraordinary step that's required in only a few cases.  But it is a very ordinary step which is required more often than not in order to get approved.