Your Rights During a Social Security Disability Claim

As a United States citizen, you have certain rights that cannot be encroached upon, even by the federal government. So when you’re applying for Social Security Disability benefits, it’s important to be informed of what your rights are during that process. At Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin, our Social Security Disability lawyers explain each claimant has three basic rights to keep in mind. They include:

• The Right to Equal Consideration– The law states that each Social Security Disability claim must be thoroughly examined in a timely manner before a decision is issued. In other words, decisions on claims cannot be blindly issued.
• The Right to a Social Security Disability Appeal– If your claim is denied for any reason, you have the right to question that decision through the Social Security Administration’s appeals process. A publication from the agency outlines the steps of this process in detail.
• The Right to Legal Representation- When filing a Social Security Disability appeal, it’s important to remember you have the right to be represented in court and during legal proceedings by an attorney. The law also states that an individual is prohibited from charging you or collecting a fee without written approval from the Social Security Administration.

Our legal staff at Fleschner, Stark, Tanoos & Newlin has a thorough understanding of Social Security Disability law and hope these tips help clarify your rights. If you have any questions regarding the Social Security Disability claim process or your rights, feel free to give us a call at (800) 477-7315 to get the answers you need.