An individual who suffers from a mental or physical disability to prevent him from working for a year is entitled to disability benefits from the federal government. Sadly, majority of social security disability claims are rejected at the start. Many subsequent claims are also rejected, forcing the applicant to appear in front of an administrative law judge to appeal his case for social security disability benefits.

The social security disability collection process can be complex and tiresome without the help of an attorney.

An individual who likes to receive his social security disability benefits must consult with a disability compensation lawyer who can answer questions, evaluate the case and put together a solid claim to give you the best chance to recover the benefits that you deserve.

Determining Eligibility

Those who have worked for a specified period of time and have a mental or physical disability that prevents work or is terminal in nature are eligible to receive social security disability payments. Some of the common conditions for which disability claims are made include:
•    Schizophrenia
•    Arthritis
•    Blindness
•    Heart disease
•    Paralysis
•    Amputation
•    Neurological disorders

You can increase your chances of winning your claim by following these steps:
1.    Make sure that your physician will support your case.
2.    Submit a detailed medical statement regarding your disability.
3.    Cooperate with the social security examiner assigned to your case.
4.    Keep abreast on the status of your claim.
5.    Meet your deadlines.
6.    Maintain a good relationship with people working on your case.
7.    Hire a lawyer or a representative once your claim is denied in the initial stage.

Approximately two-thirds of all initial disability claims are rejected, and only about 20 percent of reconsiderations are approved. But rejection does not always mean a person should stop pursuing disability benefits. In fact, an individual's chances of being approved for benefits significantly increase with the help of an experienced social security disability attorney.

If you are pursuing disability benefits, even if you have been rejected in the past, it is important to consult with a competent social security disability attorney. The application process can take several months, and complications, reconsiderations and hearings can cause delays of over a year. An aggressive and experienced social security disability lawyer can evaluate your claim, help you gather the proper documentation to expedite the application process, and work to ensure that your claim is approved.