Social Security Update Shows Disturbing Trend
Posted February 6, 2015 by Premier Disability Services, LLC® The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently released an update of their disabled worker beneficiary statistics by calendar year, quarter, and month. The data provided by SSA revealed that the disturbing trend of decreasing Social Security Disability awards has continued through 2014. In fact, over the last five years, the number of awarded claims based on a claimant’s initial application has declined significantly each year. To be fair, the number of applications has also declined. However, the fact that less and less disabled workers are awarded benefits each year is certainly unsettling.With the number of awarded claims trending downward, it is even more important for claimants to make sure they do everything they can to support their claim. Hiring an experienced professional to assist with the process of filing for disability benefits is one of the best choices a claimant can make. Without a doubt, hiring a representative can often mean the difference between winning and losing a claim. Remember that approximately 70% of all initial applications are denied, and many of the denials are based on inaccuracies on the application or incomplete data. An experienced representative can walk you through the application in its entirety so that you have the best possible chance to win. However, with such a low win rate at the initial application stage, it is inevitable that most claimants will eventually have to appear before an Administrative Law Judge. At this stage, it is the claimant’s burden to produce evidence in support of their disability. Why take on this burden alone? An experienced Social Security representative can submit evidence on your behalf and create a concise theory of your case to present to the Judge. Because the risks associated with filing a claim without representation are so high, it is always recommended that you obtain a representative prior to filing an application for benefits.
Premier Disability Services, LLC assists claimants at every level of the Social Security Disability process. If you are considering filing an application for benefits, or you have a claim pending, please contact our office for a free evaluation.
*For the complete SSA report, click on this link http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/dibStat.html
By: Thomas A. Klint of Premier Disability Services, LLC®
