SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY (OASDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

STEPS:

• APPLICATION: Apply for Social Security Disability and/or SSI at your local SSA Office. In Aroostook County - Just call toll-free 1-877-764-2000. The local SSA office is staffed with highly trained claims representatives who will assist you in filing your claim.Your case will then be looked at by Disability Determinations in Augusta. You may be asked to attend examinations by medical doctors or psychologists retained by SSA. You may also be asked to fill out forms on work, pain, activities and other matters. You should make sure you respond to the SSA’s requests for information.

• RECONSIDERATION: If your application is denied - the next step is Reconsideration. This is a request for the Office of Disability Determinations to take another look at your case. You will be asked to submit updated information. Request Reconsideration by calling the local SSA office toll-free 1-877-764-2000 and asking for the Reconsideration appeals packet. YOU HAVE 60 DAYS TO REQUEST RECONSIDERATION. If you need help, please feel free to give us a call.

• HEARING: If you are denied Reconsideration, the next step is to ask for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). YOU HAVE 60 DAYS TO REQUEST an ALJ HEARING.

• It is at this Hearing Level that we highly recommend that you have legal counsel. Whether you choose this office or another, we strongly suggest that you retain counsel in your area. There are many “on-line” organizations who will take your case even though their advocates are in distant states. Consider the benefits of having an advocate you can meet with face-to-face. LeClaire Law Offices handles cases only in Aroostook County Maine.

It is important to note that SSA cases are not emergency cases. Unless your case is so clear-cut that you are granted benefits just by applying - it can take well over a year to have a hearing scheduled. If you have chosen to have us represent you, we will spend that time meeting with you, updating your medical records with SSA and making recommendations regarding how best to develop your case. We have highly trained staff whose job it is obtain your medical and other relevant records and submit them to the SSA. We only ask that you tell us who your providers are so that we can obtain and update your records.

In Aroostook County, your hearing will usually take place locally by Tele-Video conference. It is reassuring to many clients to know that their SSA hearing is a private matter that is NOT open to the public. It will take place in an office in Presque Isle with only you, your representative and SSA personnel including the ALJ who usually will appear on the Televideo screen from the Office of Hearings and Appeals in Portland. Your SSA hearing is confidential.

If you choose to have us represent you - your advocate at your hearing will be Rosemary Monahan. Please visit our STAFF page for information about Rosemary.

If you have any questions PLEASE CALL US at 207-762-2244.