North Carolina Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyer

You’ve paid into Social Security for years, possibly decades. Receiving a denial of benefits when you need them the most is a slap in the face. But don’t give up yet. You can appeal and win your case with the help of a Social Security Disability appeals lawyer servicing North Carolina.

Pilzer Klein only handles Social Security Disability cases. If you live in North Carolina and got denied SSI or SSDI, we can help you with your appeal. More than half the people who apply get turned down and need an attorney’s assistance, so let us help you with your claim.

Top Reasons You Could be Denied

Even if your claim is valid, you must play by the Social Security Administration’s rules. Ask yourself if you’re doing:

• Are you following your doctor’s orders to the letter?
• Are you cooperating with requests for documents from the SSA?
• Did you give them accurate contact information?

These are simple mistakes that can halt your application. They may also try to claim that your disability is temporary (blindness being a major exception). Another thing that can deny your claim is income.

If you make more than a certain amount of money per month, you cannot get SSDI or SSI benefits. These benefits are intended for people who cannot support themselves through work. If you find work you can do later, the SSA may take your benefits away.

The Levels of Appeals

Under the current system, there are four levels of appeal after the Social Security Administration has denied you. Our lawyer can help you through the Appeals Council. In some cases, we may also help at the Federal Level.

Initial Determination

The initial determination refers to the SSA’s decision on your case, which will tell you whether or not you’re eligible for SSI, how much you’re eligible for, and whether or not you were overpaid. Each time the SSA makes a decision, you’ll receive a written “initial determination” with information on how to appeal.

Reconsideration

Human error can happen to anyone, so the first stage is reconsidering your application by someone not involved in the initial decision. You can also provide additional evidence to create a stronger case.

Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

This is the stage where most appeal cases are won and where you most need a lawyer’s help. This is a hearing about your disability at the offices of the Social Security Administration. A lawyer will go over your application and evidence with the judge and work to persuade them to grant you disability benefits.

Review by the Appeals Council

If the ALJ rejects your application, the third stage is to go to the Appeals Council for a review of the hearing. The Appeals Council can either reject your application or send it back down to the same ALJ for another hearing.

Federal Court Review

The final stage is filing a Federal District Court lawsuit about your disability status. You will need to have a lawyer on your side that’s admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court in your state of residence. 

The 60-Day Rule

If you have received any denial letter, you have 60 days to file your appeal before you have to start the process all over again. You may not be able to get your foot in the door at all with a second application. You must have your case and evidence prepared before the date of your appeal.

The best way to do that is to hire a Social Security Disability appeals lawyer serving North Carolina.  Ask us questions in your consultation. The odds are high that we’ve seen a case like yours because SSDI cases are all we do.

Before your hearing date, our lawyer will help you:

• Prepare to testify
• Collect all the evidence the SSA needs
• Analyze your case file
• Question any witnesses relevant to your claim

During your trial, we will forcefully argue that you deserve to get access to your SSDI benefits. You’ve paid into the system. Now it’s time to get paid back when you need it the most. We will aggressively cross-examine any experts brought in to fight back against claims you don’t deserve benefits.

Contact Our Social Security Disability Appeals Lawyer Now

Don’t wait if you’ve received a letter of denial. You need immediate legal help to get the benefits you’re owed. Pilzer Klein do not get paid unless you receive benefits from the SSA, and we only get paid from the back benefits. Thus, there is no risk to working with us. If we cannot win, none of us get paid.

If you need SSDI representation in North Carolina, call us at the number on your screen or use our contact form. We will be in touch with you as soon as possible to schedule an appointment for your consultation.