Social Security Disability Representation

Applying for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits

If you are considering making an application for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits call Ms. Patton at (336) 844-2870 or (888) 877-1401. Ms. Patton and her knowledgeable staff can help you determine if your injury, physical illness or mental illness and the circumstances of your claim might qualify you for benefits. Ms. Patton and her office staff will take the time to discuss your claim with you and what evidence or information is needed to begin the application process; they will make you aware of any problems they identify that might prevent your claim from being awarded and discuss how to resolve those problems.

Ms. Patton and her office staff can help you make your application for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits. They know what questions to ask and what information is needed to provide a complete application that supports your claim for benefits. While you can make an application of benefits without the assistance of an attorney, Ms. Patton believes that hiring an experienced attorney to assist you at this level of the process can improve your chance of success from the outset of your claim.
Ms. Patton works on a contingency fee basis when representing clients who are applying for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits. This means that Ms. Patton is only paid if you win your claim and receive your benefits.

Appealing the Denial of Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits

Was your claim for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits denied? If you are appealing your denial of Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Benefits and would like to discuss your claim with an attorney before you appeal, call Ms. Patton at (336) 844-2870 or (888) 877-1401.

If your claim is denied following your initial application you will receive a Notice of Disapproved Claim. You have 60 days from your receipt of this Notice to file an appeal. This appeal is called a request for reconsideration. If your claim is denied at the Reconsideration level you will receive a Notice of Reconsideration; you have 60 days from your receipt of this Notice to file an appeal requesting a Hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge.

Unfortunately, more than half of the initial applications made by claimants are denied; the denial rate for requests for reconsideration is even higher. Despite the frustratingly high rate of denials at the initial and reconsideration levels of appeal claimants should continue to appeal deserving claims; statistically claimants have a higher chance of winning at a hearing in front of the Administrative Law Judge than at any other point in the disability claims process.

Ms. Patton and her office staff will assist you in filing an appeal of the denial of your benefits. They know what questions to ask, what information is needed on appeal and they understand the deadlines that must be met. Ms. Patton and her office staff will take the time to discuss your claim with you and tell you what evidence or information is needed to proceed with your appeal; they will make you aware of any problems they identify that might prevent your claim from being awarded and discuss how to resolve those problems. While you can appeal your denial of benefits without the assistance of an attorney, Ms. Patton believes that hiring an experienced attorney to assist you at this level of the process can improve your chances of success.

Ms. Patton works on a contingency fee basis when representing clients who are appealing their denial of Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits. This means that Ms. Patton is only paid if you win your claim and receive your benefits.

Request for Hearing

A claimant has 60 days following the receipt of an unfavorable Notice of Reconsideration to Request a Hearing in front of the Administrative Law Judge. Although the wait for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge is lengthy, Ms. Patton believes that it is generally in the claimant’s best interest to Request a Hearing because it is at this level of the administrative process that the claimants statistical chance of winning their claim is greatest. If you are requesting a hearing or have a hearing scheduled in front of an Administrative Law Judge and would like to discuss your claim with an attorney before you appeal, call Ms. Patton at (336) 844-2870 or (888) 877-1401.

Ms. Patton and her office staff use the time waiting for your hearing to be scheduled to further develop and strengthen your claim for benefits, i.e., improve your chances of winning. She maintains frequent contact with her clients to update them on the progress of their claim, answer any questions or concerns, and makes sure she is fully developing the medical and other evidence that supports your claim. Ms. Patton will make you aware of any problems that might prevent your claim from being awarded and discuss how to resolve those problems; she will also request letters of support from treatment providers or other sources who have indicated their support of your claim. Prior to your scheduled hearing Ms. Patton will meet with you to prepare you for your appearance before the Administrative Law Judge. She will have a detailed discussion with you about the legal matters in your claim, go over your testimony, prepare you for the Judge’s questions and make you aware of what to expect during and after the hearing process. Ms. Patton will write a comprehensive brief that she submits to the Administrative Law Judge prior to your hearing; if there is any post hearing work required Ms. Patton and her office staff handle those matters or assist you in responding. If your claim is awarded Ms. Patton and her office will continue to assist you until your benefits are started and you have received all the past due benefits that you are owed. If you claim is denied following an Administrative Law Judge hearing Ms. Patton and her staff will discuss the denial with you in detail, answering your questions and helping you make an informed choice about whether or not to appeal your denial of benefits further.

Ms. Patton works on a contingency fee basis when representing clients at their hearings in front of the Administrative Law Judge. This means that Ms. Patton is only paid if you win your claim and receive your benefits.