According to a recent report by the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, applicants are much more likely to get approved if they get their case in front of a judge. Hearings before a judge can take a long time so we urge you to contact us just as soon as you get your denial letter. Attorney Mark Papa will be glad to speak with you about your claim. Here is a summary of the report released in July of this year:
The most recent Annual Statistical Report of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program released in July 2009 shows that 1,542,257 claims for Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income Claims were filed in 2007. Of those 1,542,257 claims, only 36.5% or 562,460 were allowed at the initial application stage.
Of the 979,797 claims denied at the initial application stage, an appeal to the reconsideration level was filed in less than half of the initial denials (470,616). Of the reconsideration appeals filed, only 10.6% or 50,010, were approved.
Compare the above statistics with those claims that reached the hearing level or above. Of the reconsideration denials, an appeal to the hearing level was filed in only 11% or 46,513 of claims. However, of the claims that made it to the hearing level or above, 81.5% were approved.
These statistics suggest that for most Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income applicants, the best chance for winning a claim is at the hearing level, before a Social Security Judge. In most jurisdictions, it takes a very long time to get to hearing. However, as these statistics show, once there, the chances of winning the claim rise dramatically.
The Social Security Administration will release updated statistics in July 2010.
Let the team of local Social Security and Personal Injury Attorneys at Harrell & Harrell assist you with all your injury-related claims.