- The Law Offices of Russo & Russo, P. A. - Tampa Bay Social Security Disability Weblog

Weak Economy Hard on the Disabled

  Many people suffering from disabilities often count on support from family members. It is not uncommon for people unable to work to receive food and shelter from loved ones. But in today’s tough economy, jobs are hard to come by. Many bread winners have found themselves out of work. Thus, their ability to continue providing for the needs of disabled family members falls into jeopardy.

It is this catalyst that often drives people to apply for Social Security Disability Income. See: "Jobless are straining Social Security Disability Benefits Program." Unfortunately, most initial applications for this form of financial assistance are denied by the federal government. But, what many applicants don’t know is that a qualified and experienced Social Security Disability lawyer may be successful in winning their case on appeal. Even more compelling is that applicants do not need any money to hire an attorney. That’s because the lawyer only gets paid if he or she wins the appeal. At that time, the Social Security Administration pays the lawyer a percentage of the “back payments” the applicant should have received, but for which he was wrongfully denied.

Appeals for Social Security Disability awards can be successful for a variety of reasons. For example, prior to your initial application, you may not have had a sufficient number of doctor visits to establish your illness or limitations. Or, you may not have attached sufficient medical documents along with your initial application. Some applicants overlook depression or the affect that multiple medical conditions can have on them. Historical statistics make it clear that those people who use an experienced attorney to assist in the appellate process, have a much better chance of being award benefits. See: Why Hire an Attorney.”

Many disabled people become frustrated with the anticipation that there may “red tape” and long delays in the appeal process. What they don’t know is that some individuals may qualify for an expedite review. See: “How our Law Firm Has Obtained Favorable Decisions Without the Long Wait for Hearings.” See also: “Obtaining Social Security Disability Benefits Quickly.”

Attorney Colleen Russo has over 25 years of helping clients obtain Social Security Disability Benefits. She is well motivated to assist her clients in regaining the dignity and respect that they deserve. You can visit her Social Security Disability website and learn much more about your right to obtain benefits. You can also download a free brochure that answers many frequently asked questions.

Have You or a Relative Been Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?

Colleen Russo is a Clearwater / St. Petersburg lawyer with over 25 years of experience in this area of the law. She is a member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives'. The law firm of Russo & Russo is honored to have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious Martindale Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers.

You can contact her office for a free consultation at: (727) 578-0303

Related Links:

Social Security Denial Notices Can Sometimes be Misleading
NY Times Article on the Economy & Social Security Disability
The Decision to Attend a Social Security Hearing Alone
Social Security Claims on the Rise in Tampa
The United States Social Security Disability Program

Technorati Tags: Economy,disabled,social security disability,benefits,jobless,application,appeal,St. Petersburg,attorney,lawyer,Clearwater

Obtaining Social Security Disability Benefits Quickly When Your Case is Considered a "Critical Case"

As an attorney handling Social Security Disability cases I have been successful in obtaining benefits for my clients quickly when I determine that their cases are “critical cases.”

Having an attorney represent you on a Social Security Disability claim is more important than ever. Our office provides free initial consultations, so clients can openly discuss all of their options. During my first meeting with a new client, I spend at least an hour getting to know them, reviewing the medical records they bring to my office, reviewing whatever copies of Social Security documents the client has and asking specific questions to determine if this client has a "critical case." If I determine that the case is in fact a "critical case," the client is entitled to expedite the hearing process.

What is a “critical case?”

The Social Security Administration recognizes that a claimant filing for Disability benefits or waiting for a determination can face dire circumstances that warrant their cases being decided without further delay or waiting.

There are four situations where a claimant may be entitled to immediate action by the local, regional or hearing office:

1. If the claimant’s condition becomes terminal;
2. If the claimant is without and unable to obtain food, shelter and medications / treatment of illnesses;
3. If the claimant becomes suicidal or homicidal;
4. If  there has been a lengthy delay as compared to the average processing time in the local area and there has been a public, congressional or other high priority inquiry in the case.

As soon as I determine a client meets any of the above requirements, I then act quickly to provide the necessary documentation to prove the case is critical and worthy of immediate action.

At a time when claimants in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater/Tampa area are forced to wait over two years for a decision in their cases, I am eager to do all I can to help get their cases decided as quickly as possible. Make sure you hire an attorney who knows when and how to move your case through the appeal process quickly. Make sure your attorney takes enough time with you to learn everything needed to obtain the evidence needed to, not only win your Social Security case, but to obtain a favorable decision for you as soon as is possible.

I invite you to contact my office if you are in need of hiring an attorney to help you obtain Social Security Disability benefits and to get your case decided as quickly as is possible.

You can also click here to visit my Social Security Disability website for many answers to frequently asked questions.

Click here to receive a free informative color brochure that explains in easy to understand terms "How You May be Eligible to Receive Social Security Benefits."

Call now at (727) 578-0303 for a free consultation at our St. Petersburg / Clearwater office locations.

Technorati Tags: St. Petersburg / Clearwater,Social Security Disability Lawyer,Critical Cases

How Our Law Firm has Obtained Favorable Decisions Without the Long Wait for Hearings

As you may or may not be aware, there is a huge backlog of social security disability cases in the Tampa Bay area where Claimants are waiting well over 12-24 months to obtain their award of social security disability benefits. This means that as a disabled person in St. Petersburg or Tampa, you may wait in excess of 2 years from the date you apply for disability benefits to receive your first disability check. This situation is certainly not improving. With the federal budget cuts, in combination with the rise in baby boomer disabled workers, these statistics will continue to worsen. Although there have been efforts made to eliminate the Social Security Administration hearing backlog by increasing the number of Administrative Law Judges and developing more efficient electronic case management and filing, these unacceptable delays in waiting for a determination of disability and award of disability benefit checks remain.

So what can you as an injured or disabled worker do to obtain social security disability benefits quickly, avoiding this projected 2 year wait?

My law firm has been successful in obtaining social security disability benefits and avoiding financial ruin for you and your family. In some of my clients’ cases, I have been successful obtaining the necessary documentation and medical records from their treating doctors to provide valuable evidence to help obtain a favorable decision without the necessity of waiting for and attending a hearing before the Administrative Law Judge. The extra effort I provide each of my clients preparing memorandums and gathering additional evidence when others may just be sitting and waiting for a hearing date has resulted in many of my clients obtaining favorable decisions and benefits without the need for a hearing! Click here for more information on how I prepare your Social Security Disability cases so as to avoid lengthy delays.

You can also click here to visit my Social Security Disability website for many answers to frequently asked questions.

Click here to receive a free informative color brochure that explains in easy to understand terms "How You May be Eligible to Receive Social Security Benefits."

Technorati Tags: Social Security Disability Benefits,disability cases in Tampa Bay area,avoiding delays in obtaining Social Security Benefits,disabled in St. Petersburg or Tampa