If you live in Maine, you can apply for disability benefits in Maine if you are unable to work and earn a living because of a medical condition. You must meet specific criteria to qualify for monthly benefits. Disability benefits are administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
There are two disability programs, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). Here are the details about filing a disability claim in Maine, so you are more likely to be approved for disability benefits.
Social Security Disability Benefits in Maine
If you are unable to work, you will want to get your disability claim underway. It can take several months for approval and to be awarded disability benefits. You can start the claims process online by calling 1-800-772-1213 and speaking with a representative.
There are several field offices spread across the state. Each field office serves a certain area or region. There are eight field offices in Maine, and they are in Auburn, Augusta, Bangor, Portland, Presque Isle, Rockland, Saco, and Waterville. You will want to connect with the office nearest your residence.
Disability Determination Services (DDS) is where disability examiners work and review claims and documentation. This is where disability decisions are made. Claim decisions are based on medical records, medical and psychological evidence, continuing disability reviews, and the statement of the applicant.
DDS in Maine is in Augusta within the Department of Health and Human Services. If your claim is denied during the initial review and during the reconsideration phase, you will want to request a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). These hearings are scheduled through the Offices of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR). Maine has one ODAR, and it is in Portland.
Disability Approval Rates in Maine
In Maine, 35.4% of disability claims are approved during the initial review, which is lower than the 38.4% national average. On the reconsideration stage, about 13.5% of claims are approved, which is rather consistent with the 13.7% national average. The approval odds increase when you reach the hearing level. In Maine, 64.5% of claims are approved on the hearing level, which is much greater than the national average of 51.1%.
Disability Hearings in Maine
When you request a hearing in Maine, it can take several months to get a hearing date. The key to any successful disability claim is hard medical evidence and supporting documentation. You must prove that your condition is severe enough to keep you from working and that your medical condition meets the criteria to qualify for disability benefits.
A disability attorney can be able to help you throughout the claims process and can represent you before the ALJ at the hearing level. Your lawyer will help you prepare for questioning before the judge and the vocational expert.
Get Help Filing For Social Security Disability Benefits in Maine
If you are unable to work because of a medical condition, you will need to gather all your documentation and evidence. You will need to prepare a detailed list of all your medical providers, including their names, contact information, and approximate dates of service.
Lawyers know what kinds of questions are asked during the disability hearings. Attorneys also know what kind of supporting evidence is needed, so you can show that you meet the specific criteria of the listing or condition so you can show that you meet the requirements of a disability.
Most claims that are denied simply because there is a lack of supporting evidence and documentation. If you have everything in order and accessible, your claim is more likely to be approved and you are much more likely to be awarded disability benefits in Maine.
You may want to enlist the help of a disability lawyer. The SSA statistics show that claimants with legal representation are more likely to be awarded disability benefits. An attorney can review your claim and make sure you have all your documentation in order and your medical records are available for review by the disability examiner.
If you are ready to start the disability claims process, complete the Free Case Evaluation Form to share the details of your disability claim with an independent, participating attorney who subscribes to the website and represents disabled workers in Maine. Disability lawyers take cases on a contingency basis, so you will not have to pay anything in advance for legal representation.
