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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Honestly, in my opinion there is not much for an SSDI attorney to do at the beginning of the process other than help Disability Determination Services (DDS) collect the medical records and obtain a medical opinion of residual functional capacity from the alleged disabled person’s treating physician. If the claim is rejected at the initial level, the applicant may apply for reconsideration, which is basically a second evaluation by a different DDS employee. An attorney is almost essential if the claim is denied again upon reconsideration because the next step in the administrative appeal process is a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. A lawyer can help move the claim along at all stages of the claim, though, which is helpful given than these cases take several months. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Elizabeth G. Bateman <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Associate Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Admitted in Washington and Minnesota <o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><img width=240 height=40 style='width:2.5in;height:.4166in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D1C724.1D8D61D0" alt="Email Logo"></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>999 Third Avenue, Suite 2525<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Seattle, WA 98104-4089<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Tel: (206) 224-0900<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Fax: (206) 467-8028<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.crostabateman.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>www.crostabateman.com</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>This email is covered by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, 18 USC Sections 2510-2521 and is legally privileged. This information is confidential and is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you think that you have received this email message in error, please notify the sender via email or by telephone at (206) 224-0900.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'><br>IRS CIRCULAR 230 NOTICE - Pursuant to requirements related to practice before the Internal Revenue Service, any tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended to be used, and cannot be used, for purposes of avoiding penalties imposed under the United States Internal Revenue Code or promoting, marketing or recommending to another person any tax-related matter.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com [mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Paul Grant<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, June 15, 2016 4:20 PM<br><b>To:</b> Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] SSDI Attorney<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>I have a client that needs to apply for SSDI. The application appears rather straight forward but I am concerned that it may be better to bring in a SSDI attorney at the application stage and not just if/when it is rejected. I am not sure if it is helpful at the beginning or if an attorney's assistance is better at rejection.<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>If you know someone that can assist I would be grateful for the recommendations.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks!<br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br>Paul H. Grant - JD, LL.M<br><br>Planning with Purpose, Inc<br>Lynnwood, WA 98036<br>425-939-9948<br><a href="http://www.planningwithpurposeinc.com" target="_blank">www.planningwithpurposeinc.com</a><br><br>Estate Planning. Business Planning. Wealth Succession.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>