The Disability Team at McDonald Law Firm will take care of the paperwork, procedural matters and evidence so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
Information we’ll need to prepare and file your initial application:
- Basic contact information
- Medical history (diagnosis, conditions, medical providers, treatment, prescriptions, etc.)
- Work history
- Education
- Marital history
- Dependents
- Citizenship information
- Veteran status
- Status of any existing Disability applications
If your claim reaches the hearing level, we will request supporting medical records from your providers and submit them to SSA.
1. Initial Application
Once your application has been submitted and received by the Social Security Administration (SSA), it will then be sent to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state to begin the process of making an initial determination. During this time, DDS may request medical records from the providers you listed on your application in order to evaluate and make a decision on your claim. They may also schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with the claimant’s treating source, or an independent source, to obtain additional information about your condition(s) and limitations.
2. Reconsideration
If your initial application is denied, you have 60 days from the date of the denial to file a Request for Reconsideration. This is simply a request for SSA to review your claim again, which could include additional medical evidence that has been added to your claim since your initial application. This review will be completed by someone who did not take part in the initial denial of your claim.
3. Hearing
If you are denied at the Recon level, you have 60 days from the date of your Recon denial to file a Request for Hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Your hearing will most likely be held by telephone. While legal representation is not required for hearing, it is strongly recommended at this stage.
4. AC Review
If you are denied at the Hearing level, you may appeal the decision before the Appeals Council (AC). The AC may decide to issue a new decision or could request an ALJ take additional action.
5. Federal Appeal
It is very, very rare for a claim to make it to the federal level. We do not assist with Federal level claims.
The Disability Team at McDonald Law Firm will take care of the paperwork, procedural matters and evidence so that you can focus on taking care of yourself and your family.
Information we’ll need prepare and file your initial application:
- Basic contact information
- Medical history (diagnosis, conditions, medical providers, treatment, prescriptions, etc.)
- Work history
- Education
- Marital history
- Dependents
- Citizenship information
- Veteran status
- Status of any existing Disability applications
If you claim reaches the hearing level, we will request supporting medical records from your providers and submit them to SSA.
1. Initial Application
Once your application has been submitted and received by the Social Security Administration (SSA), it will then be sent to the Disability Determination Services (DDS) office in your state to begin the process of making an initial determination. During this time, DDS may request medical records from the providers you listed on your application in order to evaluate and make a decision on your claim. They may also schedule a Consultative Examination (CE) with the claimant’s treating source, or an independent source, to obtain additional information about your condition(s) and limitations.
2. Reconsideration
If your initial application is denied, you have 60 days from the date of the denial to file a Request for Reconsideration. This is simply a request for SSA to review your claim again, which could include additional medical evidence that has been added to your claim since your initial application. This review will be completed by someone who did not take part in the initial denial of your claim.
3. Hearing
If you are denied at the Recon level, you have 60 days from the date of your Recon denial to file a Request for Hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Your hearing will most likely be held by telephone. While legal representation is not required for hearing, it is strongly recommended at this stage.
4. AC Review
If you are denied at the Hearing level, you may appeal the decision before the Appeals Council (AC). The AC may decide to issue a new decision or could request an ALJ take additional action.
5. Federal Appeal
It is very, very rare for a claim to make it to the federal level. We do not assist with Federal level claims.