Based on the title of this article, you may be thinking that the Social Security disability lawyers over at Schmidt Kramer have lost their minds. While we understand that this article may be a departure from our standard stance of fighting for what’s yours, as lawyers we also have a duty to encourage you to explore options that may be beneficial to you—and this is one of those times.
After going through your initial Social Security disability (SSD) application process, you are probably extremely invested in obtaining these benefits. You fought so hard over the course of a few months, and you may be struggling through well over a year of unemployment because of your disability. Your finances are getting tighter, and your anxiety is at an all-time high, and then you get the dreaded news that a majority of applicants get—your application has been denied.
You feel like you’ve been cheated, and you want to jump back in immediately and fight. Maybe you have already appealed and are facing a higher-level decision to get your benefits. Either way, you now have laser-like focus on your goal of receiving SSD benefits, and nothing will stop you.
Should You Throw Your All Into an Appeal Just Because You Think You Should?
We understand the financial hardships you’ve faced because of your disability, and we certainly know that you need to focus on righting your life that now feels so upside down. Before you dedicate the next several weeks or months to appealing your denial, we want you to do a quick reevaluation of these four things:
Your education and work experience: Your work experience and education may be holding you back in a sense. Typically, those with higher education and more job skills are turned down more often, simply because they have more options of alternative work. If you have the skills and education to pursue a job that can accommodate your disability, it would be a far better alternative than SSD.
Your age: Typically, younger people are more likely to be turned away by the SSA unless their disability is quite serious. Your odds of being accepted after you reach the age of 55 become much greater.
Your medical condition: Let’s face it—a lot of time passes during the application process for SSD, and your condition may have improved over that time to the point where you may be able to return to work.
Your potential: No one gets rich off of SSD benefits. If you are capable of finding a job that comfortably accommodates your condition, you will likely enjoy far more financial freedom than you would on SSD. Investigate your options and weigh the financial pros and cons of both.
Choosing not to appeal may not be in everyone’s best interests, but for many, other options may offer greater financial potential. If you are facing a denial and confused over what your next move should be, you can discuss your options with our firm today—simply call our office to schedule a free consultation with a Social Security Disability attorney in Lancaster, and we can help you explore your future with confidence!