This was almost certainly prepared not by Ms. Crane but by a public relations employee at Social Security.Q: I was turned down for disability. Do I need a lawyer to appeal?A: You are fully entitled to hire an attorney if you wish to, but it is not necessary. In fact, you can file a Social Security appeal online without a lawyer. Our online appeal process is convenient and secure. Just go to www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/appeal. If you prefer, call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to schedule an appointment to visit your local Social Security office to appeal. ...
“Social Security” appears Sundays. Joanne Crane is district manager of the Social Security office at 3310 Route 66, Neptune, NJ 07753. Call 800-772-1213 for information.
Jun 5, 2011
You Don't Need A Lawyer To Appeal
From the Asbury Park Press:
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7 comments:
SSA should do more publicity on this topic.
Really? What would they say? We just denied you, you don't think we're right, but you should trust us to handle your appeal without an attorney because....we're just such nice folks?
This was sent to all SSA offices as part of the monthly media information packet.
Anyone can and should file an appeal as soon as possible, and worry about getting an attorney later. The on-line appeal process is one of the better online things SSA offers, because once you have filed it, it is locked in and you are protected. Of course, takes that little bit extra away from the attorney fee, doesn't it.
Trying to handle your appeal with an attorney is about as productive as filling out the paperwork yourself and crossing your fingers. Most attorneys have their clients fill out the exact same paperwork that is needed by SSA only to turn around and copy it on the online form or even send it in it's paper form to SSA. Then they hold tight and hope the RECON and Hearing isn't denied. Lets all own up to the fact that SSA representation is easy money for little work. Let's get rid of attorney fees and let the fees be battled in the private sector. SSA spends to much time dealing with representatives as it is....
The fact that SSA has a Representative Call Center with a special number for Reprsentatives to call and everyone else has to call the regular 800 misinformation number says it all.
I agree with Anonymous 8:30 PM. It's definitely better to file an appeal online; that way it will immediately appear on a list monitored by management and you can be sure it will be promptly worked, because they watch those lists like hawks! File your appeal by mail instead, and it could sit on a CR's desk for weeks or months.
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