Social Security Lawyer
Memorandum to New Clients

Serving Chattanooga, Tennessee

Process Overview

We will take the following steps while helping you obtain benefits:

1. We will let Social Security know that we are representing you and, if necessary, ask Social Security to give you a hearing.
2. We will ask Social Security for a copy of your file. After getting a copy of your file, we will review it to see what more evidence we need to get from the doctors and hospitals. We will get this evidence. We will send this evidence to Social Security.
3. I will meet with you before your hearing and talk with you again. I will, of course, be at your hearing and ask you questions. If any witnesses other than you are needed at your Social Security hearing, we will tell you in advance.
4. We will keep track of your case to make sure that Social Security does not lose it or forget to give you a hearing or send you a decision.
5. If we win, we will keep on Social Security to make them pay you your benefits as soon as possible. If you lose, we will talk to you about your options.

Decision Timeline

It takes the Social Security Administration a long time to do anything. We will try to move things along as best we can by turning around all paperwork as quickly as possible. Nevertheless, you must be realistic about how long it will take. The following are average lengths of time it takes for certain things to happen:

• To get a decision after you file an initial or reconsideration application: 3 to 6 months
• To get a hearing after you request a hearing: 15 to 18 months
• To get a decision after you have a hearing: 1 to 3 months
• To get the first payment of benefits after a favorable decision: 1 to 2 months
• To have all back benefits paid after a favorable decision: 1 to 6 months

If you think all this takes entirely too long, we agree, and strongly urge you to write or call your Congressman and tell him or her how unfair you think these delays are.

Whether you are attempting to file a new claim, or have already been turned down but would like to appeal, a Tennessee Social Security Attorney can help you.

If you or a family member believes that you are eligible for SSDI or SSI payments, call or email our Chattanooga, Tennessee office today.

We will review your case with you and help you get the benefits you are entitled to.