What to Do Next
First Question: Why should I look at the date of my denial letter?
Upon the Social Security Administration denying your disability claim, you have 60 days to appeal. This is not the "end all, be all" which we'll get to shortly, but you if you are within the 60 day window, you will want to act quickly, because if you don't, you will have to begin the initial claim stage all over again, extending the timeframe of potentially receiving benefits.
During the appeal stage, it's especially important to talk to a Disability Representative to determine the strength of your claim and whether SSA is considering all of the relevant information regarding your disability and inability to work.
If the 60-day timeframe has lapsed and you have a disability preventing you from maintaining gainful employment on a long term basis, then we encourage you to talk with a Representative to identify any gaps in your case. We can help you apply again and even strengthen your case from the outset by identifying additional evidence of your disability, giving you a stronger chance of getting approved at the initial level of consideration.
How to Know the Strength of My Case
Second Question: How do I know whether I have a strong case?
When talking with us, we'll go over the main areas of criteria that the Social Security Administration uses to approve or deny disability claims. We'll point out any issues with the strength of your claim that SSA may be seeing and determine whether those issues can be addressed with further medical evidence or even documentation from past employers or family members.
Third Question: Do I pay to talk with a Representative?
No, you don't pay anything upfront, so you can feel comfortable talking with us at length about your claim and know how to proceed. Only if you choose to be represented by us, would you be charged and that's only if we when your case. However, if you do not get approved for disability, then you would not owe us anything.
On the Call
Karen Vessell, Social Security Disability Representative
Karen Vessell has provided services to individuals with disabilities for 31 years and has represented Social Security Disability clients for 20 years, having started in 2005.
Opening Vessell Vocational Services in 1993 to serve disabled individuals, she contracted with the U.S. Government Office of Workers Compensation Programs. She later received government contracts to assist disabled individuals in finding training programs and employment. In 1995, Karen started working as a Vocational Expert for the Social Security Administration.
In 2005, she started using her experience to represent clients for Social Security disability as a non attorney representative and has since been an active member of the National Association of Disability Representatives.
It's rewarding for Karen to help people with disabilities in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee. Since it is often difficult for them to represent themselves in a court room setting, she is able to put her knowledge and experience to work advocating for them during a pivotal time in their lives.
