An old saying popped into my head when I started writing this post: “The attorney who represents himself in court has a fool for a client.”
I would say the same idea works when you’re applying for disability benefits. If you decide to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) with nobody’s guidance but your own, you’re not doing yourself any favors.
Certainly you can go it alone, and many people do. But time and time again, I’ve seen SSDI claimants get tied up in red tape.
As a result, they might not get all of the money they need and deserve. There are many benefits to having an advocate. Here are the top six:
1. Disability advocates let you focus on your health.
Let someone else manage the application. Applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) can take a long time. Some people are awarded benefits in as little as 60 days. But the average applicant could spend a year and a half plodding through the complicated process. Not only is it complex, but the paperwork can be overwhelming. And the application and appeals process? Let’s just say that if you miss a deadline, you could be back to square one. Now let’s look at it from the other side. Suppose you have a Social Security expert advocating for you. They’ll fill out the application. They’ll file it on your behalf. They’ll make sure you meet important deadlines to guarantee your application is processed. And if you’re denied? Your advocate will move forward with your appeal right away. Just take care of yourself while someone else takes care of paperwork.
2. Disability advocates must know everything about Social Security.
Have you ever heard this fact? Anyone who does something for 10,000 hours or more becomes an expert at it. I can tell you that The Advocator Group’s Social Security experts have millions of combined hours of experience working on SSDI applications. How much do you know about the process? Let me take a guess. Absolutely zero. And Googling it doesn’t count. You’ll never know Social Security as well as someone who works with disability benefits all day, everyday. Experts at The Advocator Group know the SSDI process like the back of their hand. We understand Social Security’s lingo, its hours of operation, every law you must comply with, and every little nuance you might encounter during the application and appeal process. Social Security does offer non-legal representatives who are trained to help people navigate the system. But unlike The Advocator Group’s experts, these people are not licensed attorneys. They can’t present your case before the judge at a hearing and cross examine experts during testimony. A representative with Social Security and legal expertise will get you much further than a representative who has never been in court.
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Since 1945, when the roots of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) originated, the government has enacted a number of measures to encourage the employment of the disabled.
