When you
call Whitley, Rodgman, & Whitley (WRW) you will speak with our Senior Case Managers. They will ask
you several questions about your claim and the medical treatment you
have had. Once they have determined where you are in "the process",
they will decide how best to proceed. If it is determined that WRW will
represent you, most of the necessary information can be taken over the
telephone. A WRW package will be mailed to you with the information
necessary to file all appeals. We have highlighted all of the documents
and most of them only require a signature. Once you have completed the
package it can be returned to our office in the self-addressed, stamped,
envelope we provide. When our staff receives your completed package,
we will immediately begin working on your claim. 
STEP
ONE: INITIAL APPLICATION One simple phone call can begin your
application for Social SecurityDisability (SSD) benefits. You can call
the Social Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-1213. They will
begin your application over the phone, mail you the appropriate forms,
and set up an appointment for you to speak with your local SSA office
either by phone or in person. You can also file a claim by going to
your local Social Security Office and meeting with one of their staff
members. Some claimants are comfortable handling these steps themselves
and others want our law firm involved right away. Because we are so
familiar with the SSD process, we can help develop your claim efficiently.
This step generally takes approximately 120 days.
STEP
TWO: RECONSIDERATION If your initial claim is denied, don't
take it too personally. Over 60% of initial claims for SSD are denied.
You have a limited time period to appeal this denial so please contact
our office as soon as possible. We will submit a Request for Reconsideration
for you and update your medical evidence for Disability Determination
Services. Mr. Whitley personally reviews each claim at this stage of
the process. This step generally takes between 3 and 5 months.
STEP
THREE: HEARING Unfortunately, only about 20% of claims filed
for reconsideration are approved. If you receive a reconsideration denial,
don't give up! Our staff will call you to discuss any new medical information
or changes in your condition that have occurred. We will then appeal
for a Request for Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. We will
try to win your claim without having to appear before the Judge, but
if a Hearing is necessary to win your claim, Mr. Whitley will be there
to represent you. This step can take approximately one year due to backlogs
at the Office of Hearing and Appeals.
STEP
FOUR: APPEALS COUNCIL If you receive an unfavorable decision
from an Administrative Law Judge, you have the option of asking the
Appeals Council to review that decision. Our law firm appeals many unfavorable
decisions based on what we believe are errors of law. This step requires
the attorney to file a legal brief with supporting arguments. The Appeals
Council will either uphold the judge's decision, remand the claim back
to the Office of Hearing and Appeals for a new Hearing, or rarely they
will reverse the Judge's decision. This step can take a year or more.
STEP
FIVE: FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT If the Appeals Council does not
find in your favor, the next step is to file suit in Federal District
Court. We will review your case to determine if this is appropriate
for your claim. This step can take a year or more.
