You can start a free, confidential disability evaluation on our website's contact form. This form will come to us via email and you can describe your disability or ask us questions--all with no cost or obligation.
Here is the web address.
https://forsythefirm.wixsite.com/website
Use the "Get in Touch" form at the bottom of our home page to start a free, confidential case review. (Note: This form does not file a claim. It is request for us to give you a free consultation).
HELPING HONEST, HARD WORKING PEOPLE GET THE DISABILITY BENEFITS THEY DESERVE. WE WORK TO GET YOU MAXIMUM BENEFITS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Phone (256) 799-0297.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
2017 VETERANS UPDATE - YOU MAY GET SSDI TOO
I feel that many disabled veterans are missing out on Social Security disability benefits because they (1) they don't file the necessary paperwork or (2) they get a quick denial and fail to appeal it in a timely manner.
A denial by Social Security is just a preliminary step which occurs in about 70 percent all of claims involving veterans. This can usually be reversed and benefits paid by filing a proper appeal, which will require a hearing.
The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL is a veteran friendly and veteran knowledgeable advocacy firm specializing in Social Security disability. We will never charge you a fee until you win your SSDI claim and are actually awarded back pay. If this doesn't happen we never charge you a fee.
Contact us in research park for a free initial consultation. If we represent you, we will take care of paperwork, including obtaining the medical evidence we need.
PHONE US (256) 799-0297
Go to our website & Use the Contact Page
You can use the "Get in Touch" form on our website to contact us via email or tell us about your claim/problem. Confidential and no obligation.
ABOUT THE SSDI PROCESS
A denial by Social Security is just a preliminary step which occurs in about 70 percent all of claims involving veterans. This can usually be reversed and benefits paid by filing a proper appeal, which will require a hearing.
The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville, AL is a veteran friendly and veteran knowledgeable advocacy firm specializing in Social Security disability. We will never charge you a fee until you win your SSDI claim and are actually awarded back pay. If this doesn't happen we never charge you a fee.
Contact us in research park for a free initial consultation. If we represent you, we will take care of paperwork, including obtaining the medical evidence we need.
PHONE US (256) 799-0297
Go to our website & Use the Contact Page
You can use the "Get in Touch" form on our website to contact us via email or tell us about your claim/problem. Confidential and no obligation.
ABOUT THE SSDI PROCESS
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
HUNTSVILLE SOCIAL SECURITY HEARING PROBLEM
There is a big problem for persons waiting on a Social Security disability hearing in Huntsville, AL. The problem is the longer than usual wait time.
The average wait time for a hearing in Alabama is 17.3 months. For the Florence, AL ODAR office, it is 17 months.
But in Huntsville, the wait time can easily be more than 24 months. Sometimes, a lot more.
Here's the problem: Huntsville, AL has only 1 hearing room available at any given time. That means, of course, only 1 hearing can take place at a time.
I try to mitigate this fact when I file a new appeal. I make a note on my appeal that the claimant and I request the first available hearing site, not necessarily limited to Huntsville, even if we have to travel further at our own expense. In other words, the claimant and I will travel over to Florence or down to Cullman if we can get a hearing scheduled sooner than we could get one in Huntsville. And I waive any travel expense.
There are thousands of people in the Huntsville/Madison County area waiting on hearings. It is unfortunate that Social Security has not provided the facilities required to conduct these hearings in a timely manner.
Huntsville has a population of about 200,000 while the metro area has about 444,000. Social Security should take note of this and provide sufficient facilities so that Huntsville doesn't have to wait 2 years or more for a hearing. If you read this and agree, I urge you to contact your elected representatives in Washington, DC and voice your opinion.
The average wait time for a hearing in Alabama is 17.3 months. For the Florence, AL ODAR office, it is 17 months.
But in Huntsville, the wait time can easily be more than 24 months. Sometimes, a lot more.
Here's the problem: Huntsville, AL has only 1 hearing room available at any given time. That means, of course, only 1 hearing can take place at a time.
I try to mitigate this fact when I file a new appeal. I make a note on my appeal that the claimant and I request the first available hearing site, not necessarily limited to Huntsville, even if we have to travel further at our own expense. In other words, the claimant and I will travel over to Florence or down to Cullman if we can get a hearing scheduled sooner than we could get one in Huntsville. And I waive any travel expense.
There are thousands of people in the Huntsville/Madison County area waiting on hearings. It is unfortunate that Social Security has not provided the facilities required to conduct these hearings in a timely manner.
Huntsville has a population of about 200,000 while the metro area has about 444,000. Social Security should take note of this and provide sufficient facilities so that Huntsville doesn't have to wait 2 years or more for a hearing. If you read this and agree, I urge you to contact your elected representatives in Washington, DC and voice your opinion.
VETERANS AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY. DON'T LOSE OUT.
If you served in any branch of the US armed forces after 1955, you paid into the Social Security disability system. If you have become disabled prior to your full retirement age, you may be entitled to Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.
These SSDI benefits are in addition to any VA benefits you may qualify for. Yes, you can receive both VA and SSDI benefits.
The Social Security approval process is separate and quite different from the VA process. You must file a separate application for Social Security and the rules are different from the VA's rules.
CAUTION: Social Security often denies qualified veterans by telling them they are not disabled according to Social Security's rules. This is a preliminary decision and must be appealed (just like you probably had to appeal your initial VA disability rating).
The odds of winning your SSDI benefits on appeal are very high, especially if you have a VA disability rating of 80 or higher. It's not guaranteed but the odds are good.
My firm, the Forsythe Firm, is veteran friendly and veteran experienced. We've been helping disabled veterans with SSDI applications and appeals for many years and we have an excellent track record. You will never pay us a cent until your claim is approved and you have recovered back pay from Social Security.
My number 1 source of new veteran clients? Referrals from veterans I've helped in the past! I'm very proud of that and work hard to live up to it.
For a free case evaluation, please call Charles Forsythe, (256) 799-0297.
Advocates for Disabled Veterans - click here
These SSDI benefits are in addition to any VA benefits you may qualify for. Yes, you can receive both VA and SSDI benefits.
The Social Security approval process is separate and quite different from the VA process. You must file a separate application for Social Security and the rules are different from the VA's rules.
CAUTION: Social Security often denies qualified veterans by telling them they are not disabled according to Social Security's rules. This is a preliminary decision and must be appealed (just like you probably had to appeal your initial VA disability rating).
The odds of winning your SSDI benefits on appeal are very high, especially if you have a VA disability rating of 80 or higher. It's not guaranteed but the odds are good.
My firm, the Forsythe Firm, is veteran friendly and veteran experienced. We've been helping disabled veterans with SSDI applications and appeals for many years and we have an excellent track record. You will never pay us a cent until your claim is approved and you have recovered back pay from Social Security.
My number 1 source of new veteran clients? Referrals from veterans I've helped in the past! I'm very proud of that and work hard to live up to it.
For a free case evaluation, please call Charles Forsythe, (256) 799-0297.
Advocates for Disabled Veterans - click here
Monday, July 10, 2017
CONCENTRATION, PERSISTENCE AND PACE ISSUES
When trying to prove disability, claimants should not neglect the problems of concentration, persistence and pace (CPP).
Every competitive job in America requires that you do a certain amount of work in an 8-hour shift. And every job expects a worker to be on task and performing in a productive manner.
However, pain, fatigue, depression or other health related problems may cause severe issues that can slow down a worker's ability to concentrate and turn out work efficiently.
Concentration is the ability to stay focused on the job or task at hand. In most jobs, a worker must remain focused and on task for two-hour periods without a break and must be able to complete an 8 hour shift. Most vocational experts will testify that while everyone is off task a small percentage of the time, a person who is off task more than about 10 percent of the time is unemployable.
Persistence is the ability to perform your job 8 hours per day, 5 days per week or an equivalent schedule. Many people are able to work a few hours per day; however, if they can't regularly work 8 hours, they lack persistence. Other individuals can work some days but not others. If they cannot regularly work 5 days per week, they cannot persist in full-time work. Most vocational experts agree that missing more than about 1 day per month due to health related problems will disqualify a person from holding a full-time job.
Pace refers to a worker's ability to keep up with the job's demands--to turn out an acceptable quantity and quality of work for every 8-hour shift. If an individual requires extra time to get his work done, needs more breaks than is normally provided or needs other accommodations, this may well be cause for finding the worker disabled.
Concentration, Persistence and Pace are only a few areas that your attorney/advocate should explore in a Social Security disability hearing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
Every competitive job in America requires that you do a certain amount of work in an 8-hour shift. And every job expects a worker to be on task and performing in a productive manner.
However, pain, fatigue, depression or other health related problems may cause severe issues that can slow down a worker's ability to concentrate and turn out work efficiently.
Concentration is the ability to stay focused on the job or task at hand. In most jobs, a worker must remain focused and on task for two-hour periods without a break and must be able to complete an 8 hour shift. Most vocational experts will testify that while everyone is off task a small percentage of the time, a person who is off task more than about 10 percent of the time is unemployable.
Persistence is the ability to perform your job 8 hours per day, 5 days per week or an equivalent schedule. Many people are able to work a few hours per day; however, if they can't regularly work 8 hours, they lack persistence. Other individuals can work some days but not others. If they cannot regularly work 5 days per week, they cannot persist in full-time work. Most vocational experts agree that missing more than about 1 day per month due to health related problems will disqualify a person from holding a full-time job.
Pace refers to a worker's ability to keep up with the job's demands--to turn out an acceptable quantity and quality of work for every 8-hour shift. If an individual requires extra time to get his work done, needs more breaks than is normally provided or needs other accommodations, this may well be cause for finding the worker disabled.
Concentration, Persistence and Pace are only a few areas that your attorney/advocate should explore in a Social Security disability hearing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU
SSDI Benefits: Not Small Potatoes
SSDI BENEFITS ARE NOT SMALL POTATOES!
The maximum Social Security Disability
(SSDI) benefit in 2017 is $2,687 per mo.
An average SSDI award is worth over $400,000 according to one government study.
This isn't small potatoes!
If you are disabled through no fault of your own, go after the maximum Social Security benefit you are entitled to, including your back pay.
Hello, I'm Charles Forsythe, founding partner of the Forsythe Firm. It's my job to analyze your claim and help you get maximum benefits in the shortest time possible. Using a professional advocacy firm for legal representation usually results in an easier process and more money. We never charge a fee for a consultation and you never pay us a fee until after you win and collect your back payments.
Call us for a free consult today. (256) 799-0297.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
GETTING DOWN TO BASICS: HOW TO GET BENEFITS
I've been reading my website and lots of other Social Security disability blogs. They all have lots of details about SSDI. It suddenly dawns on me, the average disabled person really needs to know some very basic things. Here, I will try to give you the basics, based on my years as a successfully disability advocate.
1. You have to know what the law requires, then you have to do it. Otherwise, you will never get paid.
a) You must not now be working at any kind of substantial gainful job.
b) You must have a medically provable impairment that has lasted for at least 12 consecutive months, is expected to last that long, OR is expected to result in death.
This impairment must be severe enough that it absolutely prevents your ABILITY to perform basic work activities. If you are under age 50, you must be unable to perform ANY kind of work, even sedentary (easy), unskilled work. Over age 50, you must be unable to perform all of your past work (during the past 15-year period).
2) You must file a complete and meticulous application, and this must include all of the attending forms, questionnaires and documents that Social Security will send you in the mail--even after your claim has been filed. Failing to properly complete these forms (and complete them fully) will get you denied. It just will.
3) After you file your application, Social Security will obtain all of your medical records IF (and only IF) you have supplied them with all of the doctors, clinics, hospitals, counselors, practitioners, etc. that have treated you. You must provide them with names, addresses, phone numbers and estimated dates of service for each medical provider. If you don't, your records won't get reviewed, and you will be denied for lack of evidence. Guaranteed.
An attorney or advocate may help you file a stronger application because they know what Social Security needs.
4) Expect to get denied and appeal your claim. Almost 70 percent of applications receive a denial. If it isn't a perfect claim (all the boxes don't check), it will be denied and an administrative law judge will have to sort it out later in a hearing. Hearings are where most claims get approved.
5) When you get to the hearing level, things get really complicated, very technical and awfully complex. This is when you should have a legal representative to work with you and attend the hearing with you.
Probably the best 15 minutes you ever spent will be to call an experienced attorney or disability advocate and get some advice about your claim. Every case is different. Do not depend on what a relative, friend or co-worker tells you. They all have stories. None of them probably apply to your particular scenario. Get a free case evaluation by someone who sits in front of an administrative law judge several times a week, and who knows how to apply the law to your individual set of facts. It doesn't matter what happened to Uncle Albert. I guarantee you there was something about Uncle Albert's case that is different from your case: age, education, work experience, medical records, treatment, date last insured, residual function capacity, onset date, grid rules.... You get the idea. Get YOUR case analyzed based on YOUR set of facts.
Here's the best part. There is no cost for doing this. Any attorney/advocate who practices in the area of Social Security disability will provide you with a free consultation, a free case evaluation, and free advice. If the advocate is hired and does a lot of work on your case, of course he or she deserves to be paid. But they only get paid if you (a) win your case, and (b) receive past due payments as a lump sum of money, and (c) Social Security approves of the fee payment.
At the Forsythe Firm, we evaluate cases and advise claimants everyday. In some cases, we take a case to trial (hearing) and get paid for it. But in dozens of other cases, we provide free consultations and free advice for which we receive no pay at all. In other cases, we file an application which gets approved right away, the claimant gets a monthly benefit and we do not qualify for any fee at all.
Social Security disability is complicated. Get the help and give yourself the advantage. (256) 799-0297.
Forsythe Firm - Disability Advocates - Contact Us
1. You have to know what the law requires, then you have to do it. Otherwise, you will never get paid.
a) You must not now be working at any kind of substantial gainful job.
b) You must have a medically provable impairment that has lasted for at least 12 consecutive months, is expected to last that long, OR is expected to result in death.
This impairment must be severe enough that it absolutely prevents your ABILITY to perform basic work activities. If you are under age 50, you must be unable to perform ANY kind of work, even sedentary (easy), unskilled work. Over age 50, you must be unable to perform all of your past work (during the past 15-year period).
2) You must file a complete and meticulous application, and this must include all of the attending forms, questionnaires and documents that Social Security will send you in the mail--even after your claim has been filed. Failing to properly complete these forms (and complete them fully) will get you denied. It just will.
3) After you file your application, Social Security will obtain all of your medical records IF (and only IF) you have supplied them with all of the doctors, clinics, hospitals, counselors, practitioners, etc. that have treated you. You must provide them with names, addresses, phone numbers and estimated dates of service for each medical provider. If you don't, your records won't get reviewed, and you will be denied for lack of evidence. Guaranteed.
An attorney or advocate may help you file a stronger application because they know what Social Security needs.
4) Expect to get denied and appeal your claim. Almost 70 percent of applications receive a denial. If it isn't a perfect claim (all the boxes don't check), it will be denied and an administrative law judge will have to sort it out later in a hearing. Hearings are where most claims get approved.
5) When you get to the hearing level, things get really complicated, very technical and awfully complex. This is when you should have a legal representative to work with you and attend the hearing with you.
Probably the best 15 minutes you ever spent will be to call an experienced attorney or disability advocate and get some advice about your claim. Every case is different. Do not depend on what a relative, friend or co-worker tells you. They all have stories. None of them probably apply to your particular scenario. Get a free case evaluation by someone who sits in front of an administrative law judge several times a week, and who knows how to apply the law to your individual set of facts. It doesn't matter what happened to Uncle Albert. I guarantee you there was something about Uncle Albert's case that is different from your case: age, education, work experience, medical records, treatment, date last insured, residual function capacity, onset date, grid rules.... You get the idea. Get YOUR case analyzed based on YOUR set of facts.
Here's the best part. There is no cost for doing this. Any attorney/advocate who practices in the area of Social Security disability will provide you with a free consultation, a free case evaluation, and free advice. If the advocate is hired and does a lot of work on your case, of course he or she deserves to be paid. But they only get paid if you (a) win your case, and (b) receive past due payments as a lump sum of money, and (c) Social Security approves of the fee payment.
At the Forsythe Firm, we evaluate cases and advise claimants everyday. In some cases, we take a case to trial (hearing) and get paid for it. But in dozens of other cases, we provide free consultations and free advice for which we receive no pay at all. In other cases, we file an application which gets approved right away, the claimant gets a monthly benefit and we do not qualify for any fee at all.
Social Security disability is complicated. Get the help and give yourself the advantage. (256) 799-0297.
Forsythe Firm - Disability Advocates - Contact Us
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)