What You Need to Know About Appealing SSDI Without a Lawyer
After an SSDI denial, you have 60 days to appeal the decision. And if you appeal, the final decision will be a significant event that can shape your future. So if you’re considering an SSDI appeal without a lawyer, you should be aware of all the potential issues that might arise.
While handling your appeal on your own might be tempting, understanding the full picture—including the pros and cons—can help you make a more informed choice.
Pros of Handling Your SSDI Appeal Without a Lawyer
Cost Savings
The most obvious advantage of going it alone is avoiding legal fees. Lawyers typically charge a fee, which is usually a percentage of the past-due benefits you receive if your appeal is successful. By not hiring a lawyer, you don’t have to worry about these costs.
Personal Control
Pursuing an SSDI appeal without a lawyer means you have complete control over how your appeal is presented. For those who have a straightforward case or a strong background in legal or medical issues, this might seem like a valid option.
Apparent Ease of Getting Started
At least from the outside, it might look easy enough to file your own appeal. Since you only have 60 days, some people might want to get started quickly and not take the time to find a good SSDI lawyer.
However, it doesn’t really matter whether you can file your own appeal. What matters is whether you win. And that’s where, in our experience, you need to consider the cons very seriously.
Cons of Appealing Your Disability Claim on Your Own
Lower Success Rates
Statistics strongly indicate that your chances of winning an appeal are much higher when you have professional legal representation. The SSA reports that you’re more likely to win your appeal if you have a lawyer, compared to those who don’t.
Repeated Mistakes
In our experience, applicants who appeal with legal representation tend to do better simply because an attorney can find and fix the mistakes in your initial application.
The SSA doesn’t send a detailed report to you in their denial letter. Most of the time, you don’t know exactly what you got wrong or why. And you likely won’t know how to correct the errors without an expert’s guidance.
This leads to a cycle of repeated mistakes, in which you reapply over and over, to no avail.
Complex Legal and Medical Issues
The complexity of SSDI laws and the nuanced nature of proving disability can make navigating the appeals process particularly challenging.
Our SSDI lawyers understand how to gather the right evidence, properly document your medical condition, and present a compelling case to the judge.
We also know what judges look for in successful claims, and why; and we help tailor your appeal for them in an honest and effective way.
Stress and Time
Managing your own SSDI appeal can be incredibly stressful and time-consuming. You’ll need to meet all SSA deadlines, follow procedural rules, and potentially go up against experienced SSA lawyers and judges during hearings.
An SSDI lawyer takes on these burdens for you, allowing you to focus on your health and well-being.
Procedural Mistakes
Simple mistakes, like missing deadlines or failing to submit the correct evidence, can derail your entire appeal.
Our SSDI lawyers know the process inside and out. Having someone who knows the system so well can greatly reduce the risk of errors that can cost you your benefits.
The Real Cost of Legal Representation vs. Appealing on Your Own
While there are some benefits to handling your appeal alone, the risks and lower success rates likely outweigh the money saved.
That’s because an SSDI lawyer does much more than just file paperwork. We advocate for you and use our skills and experience to get you success.
What’s more, we don’t get paid anything unless we win your case. And that amount is limited by law to a small portion of your past-due benefits.
So every dollar you make in the future, you keep.
Making the Right Choice for Your SSDI Appeal
Deciding whether or not to pursue your SSDI appeal without a lawyer is a personal choice, but you should consider the impact of that decision on your chances of success.
If you’re unsure about the best path forward, our Memphis SSDI lawyers offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. We can look at what went wrong with your initial claim, help gather additional materials and fix any errors, and then represent you through the whole process if you choose.
Ultimately, your goal should be securing the benefits you need. With so much at stake, having our experienced SSDI lawyers on your side may very well be the key to success.
To get started with a free conversation, just contact us today online or call us at 901-327-2100. We look forward to speaking with you.