West Virginia residents who file for disability benefits should expect that their applications will be denied at the initial level. Applications will also likely get denied at the reconsideration level. However, it is important to know that a denial typically has little to do with the strength of a person’s case. It is also important to understand that an applicant has 60 days from the date of a denial to appeal it.
Applicants will also have an additional five days to account for mailing time. Those who have legal representation in their cases should contact their attorneys quickly after receiving a denial notice. In most cases, an attorney or other legal representative may have appeal forms completed and submitted in minutes. This person might create multiple copies that he or she will keep and submit to an applicant for their own records.
A person who receives a denial notice will often receive a generic reason as to why the application was not approved. It is rarely worth the time or effort to get an explanation from anyone involved with making a decision in a given case. Once an appeal has been filed, it can be a good idea to make a phone call to ensure that relevant documents have been received.
Those who meet medical or other requirements may benefit from applying for disability benefits. The payments can help those who can no longer work pay bills or provide for their children. If an application has been denied, an individual will ideally file an appeal as soon as possible. An attorney may help with the appeal process or answer any questions an individual may have. Legal professionals may also represent an individual during a hearing with an administrative law judge.