An Overview of The Social Security Disability Claims Process

Written by SS Home


The Social Security Disability claims process can have many steps depending on how many times your claim is rejected and you appeal. Overall, there are five stages, each with its own format, rules, and decision makers. The first four stages are withinrepparttar Social Security Administration, andrepparttar 114091 last stage is independent of Social Security. More resources

The initial stage takes place after you file a Social Security Disability claim withrepparttar 114092 Social Security office. Your original claim is reviewed by a disability examiner working atrepparttar 114093 Disability Determination agency in your state. This disability examiner will review your file, medical records, and other important information and consult with a doctor to determine if you are disabled and eligible for Social Security benefits. Unfortunately,repparttar 114094 claimant will typically not knowrepparttar 114095 identity of his or her disability examiner, and will have no personal contact withrepparttar 114096 examiner. Overall, 60% ofrepparttar 114097 claims at this stage are rejected.

Ifrepparttar 114098 disability examiner rejects your claim, which is very typical, you can request an appeal called “reconsideration.” Reconsideration, asrepparttar 114099 name suggests, is less like an appeal and more like asking Social Security to take a second look at your claim and “reconsider” its decision. As inrepparttar 114100 initial stage, another disability examiner in your local Disability Determination agency will review your claim and issue a decision. Also, as before,repparttar 114101 claimant will not have any personal contact withrepparttar 114102 examiner. Generally, 80% ofrepparttar 114103 claims at this stage are rejected.

Ifrepparttar 114104 disability examiner rejects your claim afterrepparttar 114105 reconsideration stage,repparttar 114106 claimant can again appeal and request a hearing with an administrative law judge. Atrepparttar 114107 hearing stagerepparttar 114108 claimant will actually takes his case before a live judge in hopes of receiving a different decision. Though this might seem intimidating, this is typicallyrepparttar 114109 first stage in whichrepparttar 114110 claimant will be able to present his case and talk withrepparttar 114111 decision maker. The hearing is informal compared to most legal settings, and typically will includerepparttar 114112 claimant,repparttar 114113 claimant’s attorney,repparttar 114114 administrative law judge, his secretary, and a vocational expert to testify as torepparttar 114115 claimant’s disability and limitations. The hearing will not have a jury or an audience, and Social Security will not be represented by an attorney. After reviewingrepparttar 114116 claim,repparttar 114117 judge will determine ifrepparttar 114118 claim is valid independent ofrepparttar 114119 prior decisions ofrepparttar 114120 disability examiners. Statistically, over half ofrepparttar 114121 claims at this stage are successful.

Coffee Lovers with Heartburn Have a New Option

Written by Tonya Sage


Every month, 60 million Americans experience heartburn and 15 million of those Americans suffer daily. Heartburn, indigestion and upset stomach cause countless Americans to limit their intake of their favorite foods like coffee. Doctors frequently restrict or eliminate coffee to help controlrepparttar painful churning in their patient’s stomachs. Consumption of prescription and OTC medications to relieve heartburn has reached an all time high. Unfortunately, reducing your naturally occurring stomach acid exposes you to several new health concerns. New research suggests that relying on drugs like Nexium and Prilosec may increase your risk of developing pneumonia. Improperly digested food and lower food poisoning protection are just a few other complications associated with lower levels of stomach acid. Routine consumption of stomach acid altering drugs, even antacids, has become a necessity for coffee lovers to continue enjoying their favorite drink.

On a daily basis, coffee drinkers with sensitive stomachs struggle with a painfully difficult decision. Is their cherished “morning coffee” worthrepparttar 114090 hours of stomach pain or discomfort? Can they endurerepparttar 114091 pain (so they can have their coffee) or should they consume another round of stomach acid altering drugs? What is a coffee lover with a sensitive stomach supposed to do?

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