Individuals who hire Social Security Disability attorneys in Wilkes-Barre, PA find their odds of being approved for disability payments increase significantly. However, finding the right attorney may seem to be an overwhelming task, as they all appear to advertise they are the best. Whether a person is looking to hire a lawyer to handle the initial application or needs one for the appeal process, it is wise to have this professional on board. Currently, 32.1% of Pennsylvania claims are initially denied, on par with national figures, and the chances of approval decrease as the case progresses. Don’t hesitate in obtaining help as a result of these dismal figures.
Denials
Sadly, it has been reported that 80.5% of cases that make it to the reconsideration are denied. This is actually better than the national average, which stands at 88.4%. This leads to the need for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), which takes time but does increase the odds of approval. However, individuals often don’t want to wait this long.
Why the Need to See an ALJ?
Administrative law judges have more discretion when it comes to adjudicating these cases. They not only hear the facts of the case, but they also see the disabled individual. This is of great help, and more than 55% of Pennsylvania cases that make it to this stage result in the individual receiving their benefits. Again, this process takes time and a person may find it difficult to fight the system when they have medical issues to address.
The Lengthy Process
Individuals who visit the Wilkes-Barre office find they will wait an average of 335 days to have their case decided. While this is the shortest processing time in the state overall, only 38% of cases are approved. Only East Philadelphia has a lower approval rate, while the Elkins Park office approves 52% of disability claims that make it to this stage. The Elkins Park and Wilkes-Barre offices each have twelve judges handling cases and yet they still take this long with no way for the individual to know the end result until the process is complete.
When interviewing Social Security Disability attorneys in Wilkes-Barre, PA, contact The Law Office of Robert D. Elias. This firm will help you present your case in a favorable light to increase the odds of approval. Contact them today. You can also follow them on Twitter.
