When Should I Seek an Attorney's Help?

Many people try to navigate the disability benefitsYou can get disability benefits if you: are under full retirement age, have enough Social Security credits and, have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing "substantial" work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death. system themselves. This is a serious risk. The Social Security Administration is one of the largest bureaucracies in the world. It is understaffed and underfunded. SSA simply does not have the resources to adequately develop a claim and give it the thoughtful attention it deserves. As a result, 2 out of 3 people without an attorney are denied their benefits. To maximize the chances of success, you should work with an experienced lawyer at the start of the Social Security application process.

Chihak & Gustad has helped thousands of people obtain Social Security Disability (SSDYou can get disability benefits if you: are under full retirement age, have enough Social Security credits and, have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing "substantial" work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death.) and Supplemental Security Income (SSIA Federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.) benefits. We work with people at all stages of process — from the initial Social Security application to final approval.

In working for you, our goal will be to help you obtain the benefits you deserve.

Call us toll free at (888) 723-4141 to schedule a free consultation.

Why Work with a Social Security Attorney?

There are many advantages to working with an attorney at the start of the Social Security application process:

The wrong information on your application can lead to a claim denial — The Social Security Administration (SSA) reviews claims very carefully. The wrong statement on a Social Security application can lead to a denial of your claim and make it more difficult to appeal.

Chihak & Gustad can help you avoid potential problems up front. We will use our experience and knowledge to present the right information on your claim.

We can get the right evidence from your doctor — SSA has its own doctors to provide medical evaluations. The wrong doctor can return an evaluation that will hurt your case. If that happens, an effective response from your treating doctor is essential.

Chihak & Gustad has a network of doctors and medical specialists who can provide a second opinion, above and beyond that of your own treating professional. These findings can strengthen your claim by providing a medical evaluation that accurately and thoroughly establishes your symptoms and limitations.

We work directly with adjudicators and Social Security personnel — Chihak & Gustad is well known at every Social Security office in the Puget Sound Area. We are familiar with the people involved in the process as well as the claims process itself.

The sooner your claim is approved, the sooner you can get on with your life — a delay in the approval of claim or an initial claim rejection means that you will not receive the benefits you need. As experienced SSDYou can get disability benefits if you: are under full retirement age, have enough Social Security credits and, have a severe medical impairment (physical or mental) that’s expected to prevent you from doing "substantial" work for a year or more, or have a condition that is expected to result in death. and SSIA Federal supplemental income program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It helps aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income by providing monthly cash payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. lawyers, Chihak & Gustad can sometimes cut weeks or months from the approval process, and get your benefits coming as quickly as possible.

Contact a Social Security Attorney

For a free initial consultation with Chihak & Gustad call toll free (888) 723-4141 or send us an e-mail.