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Pracitce Areas | Social Security Disability
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How We Handle Your Case
When you call the office, you will speak with a legal secretary, who will gather general information about you and your case. You will then be transferred to a firm attorney, or an appointment will be scheduled for an in office appointment. If your disability doesn’t allow you to travel, an attorney will come to your house to meet with you.
A Kelley Stiffler Thomas attorney will review the details of your case with you and decide how to proceed. If you choose to retain the Firms’ services, you will be sent a packet of information including an Appointment of Representative form (SSA-1696). You will need to fill out the necessary paperwork and send it back to the office in a prepaid envelope.
Once we have received your signed paperwork, the appropriate forms will be sent to Social Security, along with a letter advising SSA that you are a client of Kelley Stiffler Thomas. You will receive copies of the letter. This is your notice that we are the attorneys on the claim.
It generally takes 60-120 days for a decision to be made initially on your application. Our office will check the status of your claim at least every thirty days. If a decision is made regarding your claim, our office will contact you to make sure you have received a copy of the decision. If your claim has been denied, our office will file for Reconsideration of the initial decision. If has been taking approximately 90-120 days for Tampa Disability Determinations to make a decision on your Reconsideration.
If your case is denied at Reconsideration, we will file a Request for Hearing. Once your file goes to the Hearing state, the process slows down. Currently, it is taking between eighteen months to two years for cases to be set up for hearing after the Request for Hearing is filed.
You are encouraged to contact us immediately if you have any new information regarding your case, like the development of a new medical problem, treatment from a new doctor or hospital, or change of phone number and/or address. Legal Assistant, Cindy Pereira will help you with the gathering of medical records or the obtaining of the medical listing or medical statement forms from your treating physician. Our office will keep you informed as you case progresses.
We look forward to working with you, and thank you for selecting Kelley Stiffler Thomas to represent you.
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