Social Security Disability Appeals Attorneys Serving Spokane & Coeur D’Alene

What To Do If You're Denied Social Security Disability Benefits
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Eric and Gary Penar

Don’t be discouraged. Most people who apply are denied. Since 1990, Penar Law has helped turn denials into approvals. It’s a FREE call to talk about your claim. If you don’t win benefits, it costs you nothing.

Important! Once you’re denied benefits, the clock starts ticking. Don’t wait too long. You can miss the deadline to appeal.

Your hearing is the most critical stage in your case. Your appeals hearing before the Administrative Law Judge is your first chance to present evidence in person. It’s crucial that you and the evidence be well prepared. We strongly recommend you get legal help before and during the hearing to present the most effective case.

Our Disability Attorneys Can:

  • Analyze your Social Security file
  • Prepare your case and set the strategy
  • Gather additional evidence from your doctors and medical providers
  • Make legal arguments
  • Prepare your testimony
  • Question witnesses (for your side)
  • Cross-examine any medical and vocational experts who testify at your hearing

Social Security often brings in expert medical witnesses to provide testimony. They can hurt your chances of winning benefits. We know how to counter these experts. We can fight for your rights, and we can win.

Most People Win Benefits With An Experienced Disability Attorney

According to Social Security’s own statistics, people win benefits more often when they have representation than when they don’t. Since there’s no fee if you don’t win benefits, the decision to get legal representation is an easy one.

Penar Law helps their clients at all four levels of Social Security appeals. Contact us to talk about your Social Security disability case, today! If you don’t win disability benefits, there’s no cost to you.

Social Security Disability Appeals Process

Under Social Security guidelines, there are generally four levels of appeal where we can help win the disability benefits you deserve.

Request for Reconsideration

If your initial application for Social Security disability benefits is denied, we can submit additional evidence, help you fill out a Disability Report – Appeal form, and then get your application reviewed by someone other than the official who turned you down. Legal representation is important at this stage of process.

Hearing by an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

If you were denied at the reconsideration level, we can have your case evaluated at a hearing by an ALJ. At this point, our attorneys can present any additional medical evidence and work history. Social Security may have its own witnesses, and your attorney can cross-examine them. The preparation of your case and your testimony is crucial at a hearing.

Review by the Appeals Council

If the ALJ also denies your claim, your case is not necessarily over. Your disability lawyer may ask that your case be reviewed by the Social Security Administration’s Appeals Council, located in Falls Church, Virginia, with additional offices in Baltimore. This is the last administrative decision level; the Appeals Council renders Social Security’s final decision.

The Appeals Council looks at all requests for review, but it may deny your request if it believes your hearing decision was correct. The Appeals Council may also grant your benefits outright or send your case back to the ALJ for further review. Receiving a decision from the Appeals Council may take a year or longer.

Federal Court Review

If the Appeals Council declines to review your case or if you and your attorney disagree with that decision, the last step may be to file a lawsuit against Social Security in Federal District Court. (District Court is not part of Social Security.)

You must file your case in the federal court within 60 days of the date you received your Appeals Council denial. A non-attorney disability advocate cannot file appeals in federal court. You must have an attorney who is admitted to practice in federal court. Our attorneys have extensive experience arguing in federal court.

Federal court appeals are typically about procedural issues rather than medical facts. No one is allowed to testify. No new evidence is presented. It can take a year or longer to receive a decision from the judge. The judge may:

  • send the case back to Social Security with instructions about your case;
  • agree with the decision to deny your case; or
  • reverse Social Security’s decision and award you disability benefits.

In very rare cases, further appeals may be made to Federal Circuit Court and the United States Supreme Court.

Penar Law represents clients who are unable to work at all levels of the appeals processes. Contact our office to talk about your case. There is no attorney fee unless you win disability benefits.

You Only Have 60 Days!
Once you’re denied benefits, the clock starts ticking. You only have 60 days to appeal. Don’t wait too long to contact a lawyer. You can miss the deadline to appeal.
Local vs. National

Get help locally.  We’re local Social Security lawyers, and only serve Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Learn why that makes a difference.

Read What Our Clients Say About Us

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I highly recommend Them if you're in need of a disability lawyer.Eric Penar did a amazing job helping me win my disability case.i cant thank him enough for winning my difficult case.a real professional and great guy.

Loren Clark February 15, 2022
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Thumbs up

justin tyme January 31, 2022
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I was so glad to have this team in my corner! They treated me with such kindness and made a stressful process manageable. I was well prepared for my hearing and I know I can call with questions in the future as well. I highly recommend this team! Thank you Eric, Nick and Precious especially, for all your expertise, work, and kind professionalism!!! So grateful for the win! A great weight is lifted!

Journey With Jen January 28, 2022
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Eric Penar and his staff are amazing! Eric, Nick, Amy, and Precious all worked with me in a very timely and professional manner to get a great outcome for disability benefits. Can't recommend Penar Law enough for their great work!

Dan Steele January 26, 2022
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Very good and helpful

Allen Troup October 11, 2021
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Amy and Precious go above and beyond the call of duty! They are the most caring ladies! Professional and kind! Went way out of their way to help me with a personal matter even years after my case was won! Yes Gary Penar won my case and then came back and saved my tail again! Nick was my contact person and he was incredibly kind! My story is a dark one and I have SSDI because of PTSD. The staff was very patient with me and worked hard to win my case! Thank You Amy! your Kindness will never be forgotten!!!

Christine Douglas June 24, 2021
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The legal team here at Gary Penar law office provided exceptional help getting my husband's Social Security claim complete. From beginning to end they are an amazing office. I will recommend them to friends and family.

Beki H June 21, 2021
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Gary Penar Law Offices, especially Nick, were very helpful, knowledgeable, and responsive to my case. I highly recommend them!

Rebecca Hartman June 20, 2021
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They were kind and understanding. Made me feel at ease with the whole process.

Deborah Marlow June 17, 2021
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Gary and Eric are top-notch attorneys for Social Security Disability and all their assistants are well trained and knowledgeable. This is undeniably one of the best firm's in Spokane. Highly recommend!

Efrem Ocubamichael June 15, 2021
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