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How To Improve Your Chances Of Winning Disability Benefits

About 2.5 million people apply for Social Security Disability benefits each year and the Federal Government simply cannot keep up with massive influx of new cases. Their unofficial way of dealing with the huge backlog appears to be denying the overwhelming majority of initial applications. Currently, The Social Security Administration is denying approximately 70% of all initial applications. This doesn't necessarily mean that you will be denied upon your application, but the statistics suggest you should prepare for a formal rejection of benefits.

An application for benefits is necessary to be rendered disabled by Social Security, but there are many other things you can do to improve your chances of winning your case. With the amount of disability applicants trying to receive benefits, you need to separate yourself from the pack and show the Administration that your condition is without question a disabling one.

While there is no sure fire way to guarantee success in a Social Security Disability claim, here are some ways to improve the chances of winning your case:

  • Continuous Treatment

Treatment, treatment and more treatment. Having a consistent medical treatment record shows that you have a desire to heal your impairments. It also allows for your doctors or therapists to produce medical evidence, which is essential to every disability case. You simply cannot win a claim for disability benefits without medical evidence. Having a steady treatment history with supportive documentation as to your alleged disability will certainly increase your chances of winning benefits.

  • Submit Medical Evidence

Don't rely on The Social Security Administration to collect all of your medical evidence. Often times, Social Security will make one request and never follow up. If they don't receive anything from your doctors, they can claim that while they made a request, no reports were received. Don't give Social Security a chance to deny your case based on the fact that they didn't receive anything from your doctors! Be proactive and request medical records on your own behalf so that you can personally submit them. If you are represented by an attorney, they will do this for you. Our office is highly aggressive in making sure we are in receipt of all treatment records on behalf of our clients. We don't rely on Social Security to develop a case and you shouldn't either.

  • Always Respond To A Request By Social Security

Never ignore The Social Security Administration. Often times, the Social Security Administratrion will reach out to you for specific information. If you don't respond to them, you open the door to losing your case on a technicality. A disability claim must be processed properly and you risk the chance that your case will be delayed if not done in the correct way.

  • Document Your Medical Treatment

Keep a record of when you go to the doctor, when you have specific tests done, or when you might be going in for surgery. Retaining this information will allow you to have an organized treatment record and you will be able to present your case in a much more efficient manner. At Markhoff & Mittman, we track each and every one of our clients by noting when they are receiveing treatment, what kind of treatment they are receiving, followed up by a formal request for the relevant medical records. This way, we know we are compiling the entire medical record on behalf of our clients. Social Security takes every possible injury or impairment into account when determining whether or not a person can work. Therefore, keeping a journal of your treatment will go a long way in explaining why you can't work.

  • Hire A Disability Lawyer!

Hiring a Disability lawyer will certainly improve your chances of winning disability benefits. Lawyers who primarily focus their practice in the area of disability will understand the issues in your case and know just how to overcome any barriers that might prevent you from a successful outcome. The lawyers at Markhoff & Mittman dedicate their entire practice to helping injured workers and Social Security Disability is one our major practice areas. We've advocated for thousands of people hoping to receive disability benefits and we will continue to vigorously fight on behalf each and every one of our clients.




Contact Us: Markhoff & Mittman PC 866.205.2415 or info@markhofflaw.com

Serving disabled individuals and their families since 1933. We handle cases througout New York City, Bronx, Brookyln, Queens, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland. We have offices in White Plains, Monsey, Bronx, East Meadow and NYC! Call us or email us today.

The Markhoff & Mittman Team!



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