What is a dire need letter?
Unfortunately dire need situations occur to a great number of families or individuals experiencing the Social Security disability administrative procedure. This is due in part to the fact that the procedure is quite lengthy and in part to the fact that the claimant’s financial situation has changed and not for the better. In many cases, the claimant was the sole breadwinner, if not the chief breadwinner. That means one income, or the only income, has disappeared. Unfortunately, the bills usually increase, due to doctor’s visits, hospitalizations, etc. Many claimants are forced to move in with relatives; others lose their home. This sort of situation to most individuals would easily fall into the realm of “dire need”. SSA, however, does not see it that way. In fact, it is only after a case passes through the initial and the reconsideration levels, and after an ALJ has set a hearing date, that a claimant has the opportunity to plead “dire need” and write a “dire need letter” requesting t
