Disability Process

The Social Security disability claims process can be both overwhelming and lengthy. However, Viner Disability Law can help you navigate the process and win your benefits as quickly as possible. In Colorado, the process begins with an initial application for benefits, which if denied can be appealed by filing a request for hearing.

After filing an initial application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a claimant can generally expect to wait three to eight months before Social Security issues a decision. If the claim is denied, the claimant then has sixty days from the date of the denial letter to file a request for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).

After filing a request for hearing, a claimant can expect to wait up to a year for a hearing date to be scheduled. The date of the hearing can be several months out from the date the hearing is scheduled. In other words, Social Security may contact you in October to schedule a hearing date for some time in January or February. In the months leading up to your hearing date, Viner Disability Law will begin gathering and reviewing all of the evidence needed to win your claim at the hearing level. This includes requesting copies of all of your medical records, speaking to your treating physicians, and sometimes interviewing family members or former employees about your limitations. Before the hearing date arrives, our firm will have developed a complete strategy for proving that you are no longer able to sustain full-time gainful employment due to your medical impairments.

After the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge responsible for deciding your claim will review all of the evidence, arguments, and testimony presented during the hearing. The ALJ will issue a decision in most cases within one to three months of the hearing date.

If your claim for benefits is denied by an ALJ, Viner Disability Law can appeal your claim to the Appeals Council, and, if necessary, the United States District Court.

If at any point during the disability process you are granted a fully favorable or partially favorable decision, the SSA will calculate your past-due and monthly benefit amounts and issue you your initial payments within a month or two of the date of your decision.

Contact Us

If you are interested in filing an initial application for disability benefits, please contact our office via the contact form on this site or via phone.

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