What is the process of receiving SSI benefits?
To obtain Social Security Benefits, a person must first apply with the Social Security System at the local office for an initial determination of benefits. It is extremely common to have benefits denied at the initial determination. Upon receiving a letter of denial, a person generally has 60 days to appeal the initial finding. The Social Security System may impute an additional 5 days to appeal the denial as an allowance for the time it takes to mail and receive the denial letter. It is extremely important that the denial is appealed in a timely manner. After the appeal, the attorney will obtain medical information from various sources used to show the claimant applying for benefits falls under the Social Security Administrations definition of disabled. The regional office responsible for handling Social Security claims will thereafter schedule a hearing to be attended by the claimant and their attorney. After the hearing, the Administrative Law Judge who held the hearing will issue a
