If a person files an application for disability benefits, the Social Security Administration usually has a three-step process to determine whether the claimant is disabled. The first step is called an Initial Application and if the claim is denied at that level a claimant can request a Reconsideration. These are both Administrative in nature and there are no live hearings.
In the event a claimant is denied benefits at the Reconsideration stage an appeal can be made to what is known as the “ODAR” office which is an acronym for the “Office of Disability Adjudication and Review”.
The various ODAR offices are strategically situated in series across the United States and information concerning the ODAR offices in general or specific ODAR offices can be obtained by going online and “Googling” them.
One of the most helpful sites for a claimant is www.disability judges.com which contains specific information not only about the offices in general, but also concerning the percentage of cases allowed, average wait time and other issues and provide specific statistics on individual judges including their allowance rates.
At Drummonddisability.com, attorneys evaluate information available from all sources in developing the strategy best suited to the facts of any individual claim.
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