Tennessee disability lawyer Michael Hartup is featured in a new Ask the Expert segment on Jackson’s 39 News.
In the piece, Mr. Hartup discusses how he helps disabled individuals apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD) benefits and appeal rejected applications for SSD benefits. An accomplished attorney who has years of experience representing disabled Tennessee residents, Mr. Hartup notes that many of his clients have been denied SSD benefits despite having valid disabilities.
In fact, more than half of all first-time applicants for SSD benefits are denied, often due to simple mistakes in the application process. If you have a legitimate qualifying disability, a knowledgeable lawyer can guide you through the appeals procedures and improve your chances for benefits approval.
In the Ask the Expert segment, Mr. Hartup also mentions that many disabled individuals find the SSD application process cumbersome and confusing, and give up on seeking the benefits they need. A skilled disability attorney can likewise lead applicants through this initial stage and increase the odds for a successful application.
Social Security Disability Insurance provides vital financial benefits to nearly 10 million Americans, most of whom are disabled individuals who are no longer able to work. SSD benefits are financed primarily through Social Security payroll taxes, and they are paid through a trust that is separate from Social Security retirement funds.
Although you are not required to work with an attorney to apply for SSD benefits or appeal a denied claim, doing so has advantages. One recent survey of SSD applicants found that those who worked with a lawyer were nearly twice as likely to be approved for benefits as those who applied for SSD benefits without legal help; that study also cited a 2017 government report that found SSD applicants who had legal representation were granted benefits almost three times as often as applicants without an attorney.
If you live in the greater Jackson, Tennessee, area and you need help applying for SSD benefits or appealing a claim that you believe was wrongfully denied, please call The Law Offices of Michael Hartup today at 731-424-5559 or contact us online. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to answer your questions and help you understand your options.