Carey & Stewart Attorneys at Law

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Attorneys James T. Carey and P. Zachary Stewart

Pursuing your Claims. Protecting your Rights.

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Helping West Virginia Residents With SSD Appeals

Trying to get Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits often requires persistence. Nearly two-thirds of claims get denied the first time around. With such a low success rate, is it worth a second try?

The answer is yes, and we’re here to help you. At Carey & Stewart, PLLC, our SSD attorneys have decades of experience and have won many awards. Both these facts make us suited to handle your SSD appeal.

How Does An SSD Appeal Work?

An SSD appeal is a formal request for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to revisit your claim. Filing an appeal is appropriate when you believe you were wrongly denied the benefits you sought.

The appeals process may involve four steps. These steps are:

  1. Reconsideration: Reconsideration involves resubmitting your original claim, as well as any new evidence, to the SSA.
  2. Administrative hearing: The SSA may deny your resubmitted claim. If this happens and you disagree with their decision, you can request a hearing. This hearing will occur in front of an Administrative Law Judge, who will review your claim and issue a decision based on the available evidence.
  3. Appeals Council review: Not all administrative hearings lead to a reversal of the SSA’s decision. The next thing that happens, in this case, is that an Appeals Council will consider the merits of your case. Their review could lead to the approval of your benefits, a remand (which would return your case to an Administrative Law Judge) or another denial.
  4. Federal lawsuit: If an Appeals Council review changes nothing, you will need to file a federal lawsuit.

As you go through the SSD appeal process, you will want the help of a lawyer who understands it thoroughly. They can help you take each step correctly and defend your right to benefits when it seems at risk.

Chat With Our SSD Lawyers

If you need help with an SSD appeal, give us a call at 304-914-3577 or send us an email. We offer free case evaluations, and we’re ready to share how we can help you get the benefits you’re waiting for.