Should you pursue Social Security disability benefits in New Jersey?

Are you unable to work because of an injury or a physical or mental illness that has lasted or is expected to last at least 12 months? If the answer is yes, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits. However, the process of seeking disability benefits can be long and complicated. The Social Security Administration is a huge government bureaucracy with many complex rules and regulations.

Consider obtaining the assistance of an experienced New Jersey Social Security disability lawyer. A Social Security attorney can help you to navigate the system and improve your chances of success.

How we help Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex County New Jersey Social Security disability applicants

We analyze what each of our New Jersey disability clients needs to prove to win benefits and we figure out how best to prove it. We then gather the evidence necessary to present the strongest possible claim for each client. As required by the particular case, we will:

• Make sure the Social Security Administration has all of the client’s relevant medical records and test results. The Social Security Administration requires a lot of medical documentation and a claim may be denied if medical records or test results are missing or incomplete.
• Obtain written opinions from treating doctors about the nature and severity of a client’s impairments. A treating doctor’s opinion can carry significant weight with the Social Security Administration and even be controlling if it meets certain requirements.
• Refer clients to specialists for further examination and testing. Some clients have symptoms that have never been evaluated by the right type of specialist or medical test. If a claimant’s symptoms are not consistent with medical records, further investigation may be required to explain them.
• Prepare clients to testify effectively at their hearings. Most clients will ultimately have to testify at a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Truthful, specific, detailed testimony is essential.
• Prepare witnesses to testify on a client’s behalf. Testimony from family, friends, and co-workers or supervisors can help the Social Security Administration understand how a medical impairment affects a claimant’s ability to work.
• Question witnesses at the hearing and object to improper questions or evidence.
• Cross-examine adverse witnesses, such as medical and vocational experts, presented by the Social Security Administration at the hearing.
• Prepare and present legal arguments to the Administrative Law Judge.

Review our website for answers to your questions about Social Security disability in New Jersey

We have prepared this website to answer your questions about all aspects of the Social Security disability evaluation process. Its 100 pages are loaded with valuable information. Here is a sampling.

Do you have questions about whether to apply?

• Read Are You Disabled to learn how the Social Security Administration defines the term “disabled” and decides if you meet the definition.
• View the video Are You Likely to Qualify at the top of this page for an introduction to disability determination.

Do you have questions about a particular disability?

• Go to our Library below and see Applying for disability benefits when you have… to understand how the Social Security Administration evaluates particular impairments and obtain useful medical opinion forms.
• Review Evaluation of pain and other symptoms to find out what evidence is considered in determining whether your symptoms prevent you from working.

Do you have questions about appealing?

• Download our free e-booklet, Appealing a Denial of Benefits, for practical advice.
• Sign up for the e-mailed “Lessons on winning benefits” available in the upper right corner of this page for 10 lessons on appeals and the disability hearing.

Do you want to know what you can do to help with your case?

• See Tips for obtaining benefits for some important steps you can take to provide the Social Security Administration with the information and evidence needed for a favorable determination.
• Read Record your symptoms to learn how keeping a diary can strengthen your case and for sample charts you can use to make your own diary.

Do you have questions about your hearing?

• Watch and listen to our video How the Judge Determines Disability for a short explanation of how an administrative law judge will assess your eligibility.
• Read Winning your Social Security disability hearing to see what theories and arguments your disability attorney may advance in your case.
• Review the articles in Your disability hearing (in our Library below) for a look at what happens at this most important part of the disability evaluation process.

Let us help you

If you live in central New Jersey, including Ocean County, Monmouth County, or Middlesex County, and want assistance with your application for Social Security disability benefits or appealing a denial, we can help.

Please provide a brief description of your claim using the form to the right, and we will respond promptly. Or you may contact us at:

Zager Fuchs, PC

New Jersey Social Security disability attorneys

E-mail

Phone: 732-747-3700

Fax: 732-747-2533

P.O. Box 489

268 Broad Street

Red Bank, New Jersey 07701

You can learn more about our practice, read attorney profiles, and investigate our expertise in other areas of law at our main website: Zager Fuchs, PC – New Jersey Estate Planning and Business Law Attorneys.

If you are in need of assistance with an injury claim, getting a divorce forms, etc. visit our website at Zager Fuchs, PC – New Jersy Injury Lawyers for information about how we can help.