Indiana Social Security Disability Lawyer Blog

Many Indiana residents wonder if it is possible to apply for Social Security Disability benefits online. It is actually a fairly easy process with only four main steps that can be followed on the Social Security Administration website. The first thing to do is log on to the Social Security Administration website at http://www.ssa.gov. Next, click on the Disability Benefits link in the middle of the page. This brings you to a page that is titled "Apply Online for Disability Benefits". At the bottom of this page the four main steps are outlined for you.

The first step is to review the disability checklist. This checklist consists of all the information that you need to complete the Disability Application and the Disability Report. If you click the link at this step, it will take you to the Adult Disability Checklist. On this page there is a printable version of the list.

The second step is to fill out the application itself. If you click on the link in the second step it takes you to a page with three important sections. The first one is "using this application". This link will take you to the instructions for the Social Security Disability benefits application. The second section is the bullet list of links to help with other questions. The third section is the last section on the page that is the start of the application process for Social Security Disability benefits.

The third step in applying for Social Security Disability benefits online is to complete the Disability Report. This step is very similar to the second step because of the three main components on the Adult Disability Report page. The first part is instructions on how to fill out the form, the second part is links for other questions or problems, and the third part is starting the report.

The final step in the process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits online is filling out and signing the "Authorization to Disclose Information to the SSA" form. To complete this step you must print out the form, fill it out, and be sure to sign it. After you have filled it out, you may either drop it off at the Social Security Administration building or have it mailed to the Social Security Administration.

Continue reading "How do Indiana Residents Apply for Social Security Disability Benefits Online" »

Much like Indianapolis Social Security Disability Attorney Scott D. Lewis, many attorneys advertise their services on television, on the internet, or simply in the yellow pages.  However, finding the "right" representative to handle your Social Security Disability claim is a different matter.  You may ask yourself what qualities you should look for when selecting an attorney to represent you. Although there are no clear cut answers to this question, here are some helpful tips.

You may want to ask the attorney if he focuses on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cases and Social Security Income (SSI) cases. If he only does SSDI or SSI cases occasionally on top of other types of law, he may not be what you are looking for.  Sometimes, it's best to select a lawyer who  focuses specifically on disability claims, giving him more experience and capability than a lawyer who simply dabbles in SSDI or SSI cases.

Ultimately, who you should choose simply boils down to who you feel comfortable with and who you trust to handle winning your SSDI and SSI benefits.

Although it would be difficult to immediately trust someone you barely know, you may want to gauge your initial trust level based on the following factors:

• Was the attorney accessible by phone and willing to return your phone calls?
• Did the attorney seem knowledgeable regarding the Social Security disability system?
• Did the lawyer answer questions to your satisfaction? 
• Does the attorney a helpful and courteous staff? 

If your chosen Social Security Disability Lawyer and his staff can be reached by phone, returns your calls, knows how the Social Security system works, and is willing to ease your concerns by explaining the process to you, it's likely you are receiving proper representation.

Scott Lewis is an experienced Social Security Disability Lawyer who is pleased to assist clients throughout the state of Indiana. Scott practices focuses in social security disability claims, including SSDI and SSI.  Scott provides his clients legal representation, personal attention, and responsive communications.  Call 317-423-8888 immediately for a free consultation.

If you are applying for disability with the Social Security Administration (SSA), you may wonder if you need to have a representative in order to win your disability benefits claim. The SSA does not require a claimant to have representation in order to be awarded disability benefits. The choice to have a lawyer or representative lies with the individual who is filing for Social Security disability benefits.

At the Indianapolis Law Office of Scott D. Lewis, Attorney at Law, LLC, our Social Security disability attorney provides representation on disability cases at all levels of the process. This means that a claimant can choose to utilize a disability lawyer after a claim has been denied, for consultation before a claim has been denied, and even before a claim has been filed.  If you desire representation prior to filing the disability claim, an attorney will not be able to submit an "appointment of representative form" to the SSA until after the disability application has been initiated and put on file with the SSA by the claimant.

Claimants with pending claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits and those disabled individuals who are thinking of whether or not to apply for disability typically have some questions regarding disability attorneys.  Social Security Disability Attorney Scott D. Lewis can assist you in answering these questions. 

• When am I allowed to get an attorney for my disability case?

A disability attorney can be used at any point in the process but the initial claim must be submitted to the SSA directly by the claimant. Many individuals will choose to get an attorney after a denial has been issued, although some claimants will seek representation sooner or to simply get advice from a Social Security disability attorney for the initial stages of their claim.

• Will an attorney make the claims process easier for me?

As soon as the SSA is advised that you are being represented by a disability attorney, they will send copies of all paperwork that they send to you to your attorney.  This not only keeps your attorney informed on your disability case, but it also allows your attorney to get your appeal paperwork filed promptly on your behalf. Consequently, this can eliminate the possibility of missing deadlines and remove a significant amount of burden from a claimant. In addition, your attorney will take the necessary steps in gathering medical records to prepare for your upcoming hearing.  

• Are my chances of winning disability benefits better if I have an attorney?

Disability attorneys can make a substantial difference in your case. These attorney's can keep you from missing important deadlines mandated by the SSA, they will assist you in getting the appropriate medical records that will be submitted to the SSA, they can attempt to obtain valuable statements from your physicians in support of your case, and they can argue to the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) that your case should be approved based on a knowledge of your work history, medical history, and the various rules that apply to your disability case.  Statistically, approximately 40% of individuals who are not represented at their hearing win their disability cases.  In the meantime, approximately 60% of claimants who have a disability attorney win their cases. Based on those statistics, having a disability attorney will give you a greater chance of winning your disability benefits.

• Can I afford to pay for a disability attorney?

Disability attorneys are not paid upfront by the claimant and are not paid at all unless they win your case!  If you win your disability claim, your attorney is paid 25% of the back pay that is owed to you (not to exceed the maximum amount allocated by the SSA) from the SSA.

Don't have unanswered questions, contact Indiana Social Security Disability Lawyer Scott Lewis at (317) 423-8888 for a free consultation.  He can help you decide if an attorney is necessary for you!