Lake Oswego Social Security Disability Claims

From the very first moment that you start earning a paycheck, you pay a portion of those earnings into the Social Security program. The percentage of your earnings is determined by the government, and not paying is not an option.

There is a reason for that – if you become too sick to work or you have been injured and are unable to continue your job, you might be entitled to receive benefits that are funded by that same Social Security program that you have been paying into.

In other words, those are your benefits. You paid into the fun, and you deserve a return on that investment should life circumstances call for it. Unfortunately, getting the payments from the fund are not nearly as “easy” as paying into the fund. In fact, the process can be extremely overwhelming and even discouraging for some.

If you find yourself needing to apply for benefits from the Social Security Disability fund, contact our office right away. Our team has been helping injured Oregonians fight for the Social Security Disability benefits they are entitled to for more than four decades. And, we have been very successful in our pursuit, having successfully managed more than 1,000 Social Security claims last year alone.

With this great volume of cases, we have gained the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to expertly guide your Social Security application through the complex process, and get your benefits approved.

The fact is, when you submit an application for benefits it will likely be denied the first time. The statistics speak for themselves and this is more often the case than not. There could be many reasons for this but, one of the most probable is that the initial application was submitted incomplete.

There are a number of supporting documents that you must submit with your application including; medical records, personal information, and more. If any of those documents are missing – your application could be denied.

And, there is a finite window of time that you have to reapply or your benefits will be denied indefinitely. When you work with the team at Shlesinger & deVilleneuve, we will use our years of experience and knowledge to submit your Social Security benefits application with all “I”s dotted and “T”s crossed to ensure the best possible chances of it being approved. Don’t forget – these are your benefits. You paid for them, and now that you need them, nothing should stand in your way – least of all an incomplete application.

By law, all of our Social Security work is done using a contingency fee, and you will not be charge anything less we win your case and you receive your benefits. Make sure to contact our office today, and we will get started on scheduling your complimentary legal assessment so that we can meet you in-person and learn your story.
Frequently Asked Questions:

• How do I file for disability benefits?
  “Please contact us to discuss filing an application for your Social Security disability benefits.”
• I just received a denial notice. What should I do?
  It can be disheartening to receive a denial notice from Social Security. This happens to most people when they apply. It is important to file an appeal within the 60-day time limit, and to seek legal advice from a qualified and experienced attorney.
• Do I need a lawyer to represent me for disability?
  Claimants are not required by Social Security to have an attorney. Individuals can go through the process alone, but it is not advisable. An experienced attorney fighting for you can make all the difference.

• I requested a hearing months ago. Why is it taking so long?
  There is a backlog of claims at the hearing level all across the country. Average waiting times are around 16 months. Even though it may seem like nothing is happening, this waiting period is an important opportunity for you to improve your chances at hearing. There are things you could be doing right now that might help your case.
• How much do attorneys charge to represent me for my Social Security disability claim?
  Attorney fees are only paid after being approved by the Social Security Administration and only if you are approved for benefits. Fees are paid out of your retroactive benefits. Currently, federal law allows attorney fees of up to 25% of your retroactive benefits and a maximum of $6000, whichever is less.

Helpful Links:

Social Security Website: https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp

National Institute of Health: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/