Looks like to me you have a good chance. Just be prepared to fight for a few years. Hope you have put some money back. It took me 3 1/2 years to win my case. I wish you luck!

I did a quick google check for official sources of Social Security data and didn't find any hard data that I could quote here. There are other web sites with anecdotal statistics that don't come anywhere near the assertion that 95% of initial decisions are denied and 95% of hearings with attorneys are approved. So, either that area mentioned is an anomoly with that percentage, or the knowledgeable source quoted (the anonymous top attorney) is not as knowledgeable as purported.

But again, I am not providing any facts to back me up, so what I am saying is also not worth the pixels on the screen.

Not sure what you think those "clerks" are doing to prevent people from receiving benefits except what the law requires. Now, perhaps you believe the law is too stringent and that decisions should be based on only a treating doctor's opinion that someone is "disabled", and not on a legal definition that attempts to provide parity and equal treatment, albeit falling short. Then there would be even more variance in who is found disabled and who is not, and no doubt there would be unscrupulous doctors who would sign any document, for a price.

I have no doubt that there are many many ways to simplify the disability process and make it easy for anyone to get approved. But there does have to be some fiscal responsibility as well; this is not a bottomless pit of money. And lots of people who apply for disability benefits are just not that sick or injured, but they get the same evaluation that the seriously ill and injured cases get because that is due process.

And it is really hard to compare conditions and decide that someone is disabled. Is a deaf person more or less disabled than a spinal cord injury victim; is a Down Syndrome adult more or less disabled than a person with cancer who has to undergo 6 months of treatment and then can go back to work? Having a standardized definition makes the process the same across the board. Of course there are local differences. Residents of Alaska have more snow plows and 4 wheel drive cars than residents of Florida who have many beach chairs and towels. There will always be the human (employee) factor in determining disability.

Abbie

I appreciate the information you have posted. It is not necessary for the SSA website to post the same information. It is a known fact that SSA denies more cases in the first try than they approve. But that is also
a opinion in my head I believe. Janke if you have data to disprove this, start a new thread please. This thread needs to answer the questions being asked.
And Abbie has always stated its her state and the lawyer she deals with facts.

This thread is dealing with a issue that the person was asking intelligent questions and getting a caring person's answers. I applaud anyone that can and will fight the SSA system.

Good luck.

And Abbie, you do a wonderful job helping. Its very important never to give it negatively. Thank you for making sure its done so well.

Donna