Spokane, Washington
Spokane Disability Lawyers for SSDI and SSI
Downard & Associates represents adults in Spokane, Washington, with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and administrative appeals. We work with clients by phone and video from Tennessee. Our work includes gathering medical evidence, reviewing denial reasons, and preparing clients for a hearing when a claim reaches that stage. Start with a list of your treating providers and any decision you have received from the Social Security Administration (SSA). You do not need to have every medical record in hand before contacting us.
How we help
Working with Downard on a Spokane disability claim
We address the evidence behind those reasons, which may involve medical records or financial information, depending on the claim.
For an SSDI application, we help file the forms, gather medical evidence, and document your work history. For SSI, we also help complete the financial disclosures. Our Washington disability representation page explains our statewide services.
After an initial denial, we review the reasons SSA gave and file a reconsideration request. We address the evidence behind those reasons, which may involve medical records or financial information, depending on the claim.
If reconsideration is denied, we request a hearing before an administrative law judge, develop the medical record, prepare you for questions, and present your case. After an unfavorable hearing decision, we can seek Appeals Council review and identify errors for the Council to consider.
We handle SSDI cases for people who currently receive benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but we do not handle VA claims or appeals. We do not take disability cessation or continuing disability review cases, or new cases involving back-pay issues alone. We refer federal court appeals to a trusted affiliate rather than handling them in-house.
Benefit eligibility
SSDI and SSI requirements for Spokane adults
Duration rule
12months
SSDI generally requires enough recent work covered by Social Security. The number of work credits you need depends on your age when disability began. For SSDI based on statutory blindness, fully insured status is required, but the usual recent-work test does not apply. SSI does not require an insured work record. It has separate income, resource, residency, citizenship or qualifying immigration status, and other requirements. SSI may be available to people who are 65 or older, blind, or have a qualifying disability.
For SSDI claims not based on statutory blindness and adult SSI claims based on disability, SSA considers whether your medical condition prevents substantial gainful activity, meaning significant physical or mental work usually done for pay or profit. When the evaluation requires it, SSA also considers your ability to do past work or adjust to other work. A claim can be decided before reaching every evaluation step.
The condition and resulting inability to perform substantial gainful activity must have lasted or be expected to last at least 12 consecutive months, unless the condition is expected to result in death. You do not have to wait a year before applying. SSDI based on statutory blindness also has a duration requirement and separate work rules. SSI based on statutory blindness has different rules: SSA does not use substantial gainful activity to determine initial eligibility, and SSI statutory blindness has no duration requirement. See SSA's disability eligibility explanation and SSI eligibility requirements.
Treatment records
Hospital and clinic records for a Spokane disability claim
Its MyChart portal lets patients view portions of their records and request copies.
A hospital stay and follow-up clinic visits can involve different records requests. For example, Providence Sacred Heart's medical-records instructions give separate directions for hospital records and clinic records. Its MyChart portal lets patients view portions of their records and request copies. If you received care at both a hospital and a clinic, list both when describing your treatment.
CHAS Health's records guide distinguishes routine online access to visit and lab information from a formal request for complete health records. Its release form is the route it describes for obtaining complete records. Include the CHAS location where you were treated, along with any other clinics, hospitals, and specialists you saw.
Washington Disability Determination Services, or DDS, handles medical review at the initial application and reconsideration stages and has a Spokane branch. SSA field offices handle the separate nonmedical eligibility requirements. Give a complete treatment-source list when SSA or DDS asks for it so the reviewer can identify where medical evidence should be requested.
These providers are examples, not a complete list of Spokane care options. Keep track of each record holder, the treatment dates, and any reports you cannot find online. Share that information with us as we gather evidence for your claim.
Get organized
A working checklist for your Spokane application
Organize the following information in one list. SSA's application guidance explains what information and documents it asks for and says not to delay applying because documents are missing.
Treatment sources: Write down each doctor, hospital, and clinic, its contact information, and your treatment dates. Distinguish hospital care from outpatient follow-up.
Tests and medications: List the tests, dates, ordering providers, medicines, and prescribers. Mark which reports you already have.
Work history: Begin with jobs from the five years before your medical conditions made you unable to work. Follow the reporting-period and job-selection instructions on SSA's form and any accompanying letter. Record dates and actual duties, and describe the tasks your condition affected.
SSI finances and SSA notices: Gather income and resource information for SSI. Keep complete decision notices and note when you received them.
After a denial
Responding to a denial while records are being gathered in Spokane
Deadline
60days
For an initial SSDI or SSI denial, the deadline to request reconsideration is generally 60 days after receipt of the notice. After a reconsideration denial, the deadline to request an administrative law judge hearing is also generally 60 days after receipt. Both requests must be made in writing. SSA ordinarily presumes you received a notice five days after its date unless you show that you did not receive it within that five-day period.
For either request, an extension request must be in writing, explain the delay, and show good cause under SSA's rules. SSA decides whether good cause is established. The SSDI reconsideration rule, SSI reconsideration rule, SSDI hearing-request rule, and SSI hearing-request rule explain the request and extension requirements. Contact us promptly after a denial rather than waiting for a records request to finish.
Hearing arrangements
Checking the office and appearance instructions for a Spokane hearing
SSA's hearing-office directory provides general office information, not your individual case assignment or scheduled hearing site. Use your case correspondence to identify the office handling your appeal, and follow your scheduling notice for attendance instructions. Our hearing-office guide provides the broader office reference.
SSA lists four ways to attend a hearing: in person, by telephone audio, by agency video using SSA equipment, or by online video using a personal device. Online video requires your agreement. The Notice of Ways to Attend a Hearing explains the agreement and objection forms. Objections to audio or agency video are subject to SSA's rules and exceptions, including some circumstances involving a move or extraordinary conditions. Our phone or video meetings with you do not determine your SSA hearing format.
Common questions
Questions about building a Spokane disability claim
Do I have to wait for all my records before applying?
No. SSA says not to delay applying because you do not have all the documents. Identify your treating providers, give the information requested, and supply medical evidence already in your possession. A pending records request is also a reason to discuss a denial promptly, rather than wait to seek representation.
Can part-time work affect a disability application?
Yes. Work can be substantial gainful activity even when it is part time. SSA considers the work and earnings under the applicable program rules. Initial SSI eligibility based on statutory blindness does not use the substantial gainful activity test, although SSI financial requirements still apply.
Does my diagnosis have to appear in SSA's listings?
No. SSA considers whether an impairment meets or medically equals a listing. If it does neither, SSA can still evaluate the claim at later steps. The condition must meet the applicable disability requirements; a diagnosis alone does not establish that a listing is met.
Does a DDS examination mean my claim will be denied?
No. DDS may arrange an examination or testing when the available information is insufficient to decide the claim. SSA says it is important to attend a scheduled examination; failing to attend without a good reason can lead to a denial. Keep the appointment instructions and tell the agency promptly if you have a problem attending. See the parallel SSI examination rule.
Discuss your claim
Discuss your Spokane SSDI or SSI claim
Contact Downard & Associates to discuss an application, denial, or upcoming hearing. Tell us where you are in the process and which providers have treated you. We can discuss your claim by phone or video.