Our Process

Consists of two parts: the basic application and the disability report. We will help you complete the majority of the application, but you may need to complete a portion with a Social Security representative if you are applying for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

Social Security will mail you a copy of the application to sign, along with an authorization to release medical records. Sign both and mail back to SSA — not to us.

I will send in my paperwork to be your representative as soon as we do the application. DDS will mail you various questionnaires and paperwork. The majority of the time we will get the same paperwork at about the same time. However, sometimes that breaks down at local offices. If I don't receive paperwork, call me when you do.

We are happy to help work with you throughout the process to ensure a timely result. If filling on your own: Be as thorough and accurate as possible. Answer every question completely and without exaggerating. Return the forms ASAP in the provided envelope — to SSA, not us. Failure to do so will result in your claim being dismissed.

Not required for all cases, but SSA will often ask you to see a third-party doctor for a one-time evaluation — at no cost to you. The doctor will focus on either your physical or mental impairments. It is no cost to you but you may have to drive a significant distance to get to that appointment. It is imperative that you make that appointment. SSA will reschedule once more only! Social Security pays you back for the drive regardless.

You'll receive a notice with your appointment date. You must confirm and attend. Be open and accurate with the doctor.

SSA will mail you their decision. Most applicants are denied at this stage — don't be discouraged. We will immediately help you file your appeal.

According to the Washington Post, 85% of claimants are denied at this level. Meaning only 15% are approved.

We file the Online Request for Reconsideration on your behalf. A different SSA representative could review your case from scratch, meaning SSA will send another questionnaire. However it doesn't happen every now and then.

Almost always an office meeting. Takes 15 minutes usually. For people who live further way, we can do this over the phone, it doesn’t hurt your chances at all.

We call you with the date and time of the hearing and your pre-hearing meeting with Mike. At the pre-hearing meeting, Mike walks you through the hearing procedures, who will be present, and exactly what you need to do to prepare.

We will meet about a month and a half before the hearing to discuss medical records and evidences that need to be obtained, and we will meet about a week and a half before the hearing to prep and get ready for your hearing.

Social Security hearings are non-confrontational, meaning there's nobody arguing for Social Security against you. It starts out with some legal things at the beginning. You get sworn in. They tell you they're not bound by the prior determinations. They're here to make a new and independent decision, and then they get started asking questions. Most of the judges ask most of the questions and they will go on 20 minutes, half an hour, 45 minutes. It just depends on the judge and how they feel that day, what they want to know. When the judge is done, then I'll have a chance to ask you questions. I will not go as long as the judge. That is not my job. My job is to bring out new information that hasn't been covered by the judge.

I will always ask questions and I tend to like to go to history. When the judge is done and I am done, then we will talk to the vocational witness. And then the vocational witness will talk about your will, classify your previous work in a way the judge can understand it, and then we'll answer questions from the judge if there was someone with conditions similar to yours.

SSA mails you the decision. If approved, benefits begin. If not, Mike will call to walk through your remaining options.