West Virginia Social Security Blog

People in West Virginia who apply for Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits and who have to attend a hearing will have a better chance at being successful at the hearing if they have some form of representation. This is because the manner in which disability hearings are conducted is similar to how different types of court proceedings are done. In order to win their case, disability benefits claimants should have a strong case that is properly prepared and whose relevant positions and arguments are effectively presented.

In order to properly prepare for a hearing, a representative should begin to collect updated medical records, which will be examined to determine if the claimant's case can be bolstered. The records that are obtained will also be forwarded to the administrative law judge who will be making the ruling in the case.

People in West Virginia who apply for Social Security Disability Insurance often face an initial denial. This is true even for applicants who have serious disabilities and are currently unable to work. Since denials at the initial stage can be confusing, many are uncertain about the next steps to take. They may think that it is better to file a new application for benefits rather than to go through the appeals process on the denied claim. However, it is generally better to proceed with the appeal.

Applicants for SSDI benefits should keep in mind that up to 65 percent of all initial benefits applications are denied at the initial stage. When they file a new claim, they'll face those same odds the next time around. The same agency will evaluate the application under the same rules, and it is likely to produce exactly the same results. However, an appeal could provide greater hope. The first appeals stage may not lead to a positive outcome as 85 percent of applicants are rejected during the reconsideration stage.

Nearly everyone feels nervous and insecure in certain situations. Projects at work may invoke a healthy sense of urgency, and even a fear of failure can cause one to rise to the occasion. It is normal to feel anxious when speaking in front of an audience or entering a situation where you don't know anyone. However, you may be one of many in West Virginia for whom these feelings of anxiety, embarrassment and fear paralyze you to the point that you cannot function.

When you cannot control the thoughts of failure or dread that come to you in social situations, you may suffer from a mental illness known as social anxiety disorder. If your symptoms of SAD make it impossible for you to maintain gainful employment, you may want to seek assistance through Social Security Disability Insurance.

It's understandable for individuals in West Virginia seeking disability payments from Social Security to assume that the odds of winning a claim are low. However, many filers are unaware that there are different levels in the approval process where a claimant may win a case, even after initial denials. The approval rate of claims that reach a Social Security administrative law judge is more than 65 percent. Just 35 percent of initial filers are granted benefits while 10 to 15 percent win benefits after filing a reconsideration.

The lowest rate of approval for Social Security Disability claims is at the reconsideration level. This is the first level of appeal after an initial application has been denied. Other than having a different examiner look at all available evidence, the reconsideration process is the same as the initial claim assessment, which involves reviewing medical records and determining whether or not an individual is capable of making a living.