Social Security Disability Claims Process in Oklahoma

If you can no longer work, you’re probably wondering how to file for disability in Oklahoma. An online search of the Social Security Administration’s website shows you what number to call or where to file an online application, but are you doing it right? Why is there a five-month waiting period? What if your claim is denied and the wait is much longer than that?

You have the best opportunity to avoid that horrible scenario by engaging an experienced Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer from Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons. Our lawyers have decades of experience in helping disabled workers obtain the SSD benefits they paid for during their working life, and we’re prepared to put our skills to work for you, too.

Call our office today or contact us online for a free, fully confidential consultation about how we can help.

How Do I Apply for Social Security Disability?

Filing for disability in Oklahoma can be daunting. However, you don’t have to handle it on your own. You could hire an Oklahoma Social Security disability lawyer to handle the entire process for you.

Either way, you can apply for SSD benefits online or by appointment. Call +1 800-772-1213. Tell the agent you want to set up an appointment to apply. They’ll decide whether your appointment will be by phone or in person, and schedule it.

What Do You Need for Your Social Security Disability Application?

To apply for disability in Oklahoma, you’ll need specific information. You should have the following:

• Your Social Security number
• Your birth certificate
• Your medical records
• A list of your current medications and dosages
• Results of your diagnostic and lab tests
• Your caseworkers, health care providers, and treatment facilities’ contact information
• Medical source statement from your provider
• Statements from your friends and family
• Your federal tax returns
• Summary of your employment
• Your W-2s

What the Disability Application Process Involves

The disability claims process in Oklahoma is fairly straightforward, but gathering all the necessary documentation and filing a successful application can be challenging. You should apply for SSD as soon as you become disabled, because there is a five-month waiting period from the date the SSD decides your disability began. Even if you are promptly approved, you won’t get benefits before the sixth full month of disability, unless you have ALS. 

The application process can involve several steps if you’re not approved right away. Those steps include the following:

• SSD Application – This is your initial application, and it should be accompanied by all the documentation mentioned above and any other information your attorney believes will be helpful.
• Request for Reconsideration – If your application was denied, you have 60 days from your receipt of the denial letter to file a request for reconsideration. If you miss that 60-day deadline, you’ll have to start the application process over again.
• Disability Hearing – If your reconsideration results in a denial, your next step is to request a hearing. You have 60 days after the denial to request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who was not involved in the previous decisions. 
• Appeal of Denied Benefits – If the ALJ denies your claim, you once again have 60 days to request an Appeals Council review of the decision. The Appeals Council is looking for legal errors, policy violations, and procedural mistakes, but many claims are approved at this point each year.
• Federal Review – If the Appeals Council denies your claim, your final option is to take your application to the Federal District Court. Doing so will be costly and stressful. You’ll definitely need a lawyer at this point.
• Continuing Disability Review – After your claim is approved and you receive SSD benefits, you will periodically be subject to a Continuing Disability Review (CDR). The review evaluates whether you’re still eligible for disability benefits.

How Can Our SSD Lawyers Help You Apply for Disability Benefits?

Applying for SSD benefits can be stressful, particularly when you can’t work and have no income. The SSD lawyers of Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons can take your case and manage all the details so you don’t have to worry. When we work for you, we can do the following:

• Complete all the application forms
• Prevent you from inadvertently making errors in the application
• Gather all the relevant documentation to send with your initial application
• Work with your doctors to get Medical Source Statements to support your claim
• Get statements from your family and friends about how your disability affects your life
• Respond to SSA’s request for additional information promptly
• Discover and contest any errors SSA makes
• Build compelling legal arguments that support your need for disability benefits
• Represent you at hearings before an ALJ or the Appeals Council

One of our successful cases involved a 54-year-old Veteran who worked as a security guard for many years. They sustained neck and back injuries over the years. We helped get them approved for monthly SSD benefits. Our lawyers also helped a 59-year-old accounting clerk who had osteoarthritis and lower extremity swelling. The SSA awarded $92K in back benefits, monthly benefits, and lifetime medical coverage.

One of our satisfied clients wrote: 

“So very pleased to have Phil Ryan as my attorney on my social security disability case. He and his support staff were so helpful during the whole process. Mr. Ryan was extremely prepared for my hearing. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney. I would recommend him to anyone without hesitation!” ‒ Cindy C.

Can You Appeal a Denied Disability Claim in Oklahoma?

Yes. You can appeal a denied claim, but it’s not easy, and we recommend you work with an experienced Social Security disability lawyer from our firm. The minute you receive a denial letter, call an attorney. The timeline for filing an appeal is short, and your attorney will need time to gather documentation and other medical proof to support your claim.

Contact Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons Today

When it’s time to apply for disability benefits, you can’t afford to take the chance that you’ll forget to include something with your application that the SSA considers important. Leave all the stress of filing your application to the seasoned Social Security disability lawyers at Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons. 

Our law firm has been helping people get the benefits they need for decades, and we’re prepared to help you, too. Call our office today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let’s talk about how we can pursue the benefits you deserve.