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Claiming Social Security disability benefits occurs in six stages. Time represented is an estimate.
  • 1. Initial Application: An initial decision granting or denying benefits takes up to six months.
  • 2. Reconsideration: A Reconsideration decision takes from 45 days to Nine months.
  • 3. Hearing: It currently takes 24 months or more for an individual case to reach a Hearing.
  • 4. Hearing Decision: You will receive a Hearing decision between two and Nine months after Your Hearing.
  • 5. Appeals Council: An appeal will take from six to NINE months following filing for a decision.
  • 6. Federal Court Appeal: A Federal Court case takes from 6 to 18 months after filing.

Handling Social Security Claims Exclusively Since 1985

Ohio's Leading Social Security Law Firm

Free consultations — and no fees unless you win!

It's hard to get approved for Social Security benefits, even if you really are disabled. And Ohio is the fourth most difficult state in terms of obtaining SSD or SSI benefits. If you've been denied benefits — like 70 percent of all applicants — don't get discouraged. Get a lawyer.

Call 877.230.5500 toll free or contact us online

There is no risk involved with hiring our law firm. At Sternberg, Newman, Shifrin Inc., you won't pay attorney fees unless we help you obtain benefits. We will even advance costs for necessary copies of your medical records. We are passionate about helping clients get the benefits they need.

We are grateful for the opportunities we have been given, so we feel compelled to give back. In 1998, our firm won the Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation's Pro Bono award for helping children who had been cut off from SSI.

We won't turn you away.

Some Social Security firms brag about having high "success" rates. But their rates are only high because they turn away clients who don't have strong cases. In other words, they "cherry pick." We don't. We do our best to help everyone who needs it.

And we have a reputation fordoing the impossible. Maybe your case isn't very strong and you were turned away by another law firm. That doesn't mean you should give up without a fight. Because maybe we can get the benefits you need.

Every client is unique. Including you.

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Sternberg, Newman, Shifrin Inc. is an AV-rated* law firm, an honor given by attorneys to attorneys based on their skill and ethical behavior. Our five lawyers help a variety of cases at any given time. And each one receives individual treatment.

No two cases are ever the same. We'll learn about you and your history, and then we'll come up with a solid strategy based on the facts. You might not like what we have to say. But at least you can trust that we're telling the unvarnished truth.

Office locations in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio

Our Akron office is located near the University of Akron campus. Free parking is available. Our Cleveland office is located in the Halle building.

To schedule a free consultation to talk about Social Security, SSD and SSI, call toll-free at 877.230.5500 or contact our firm online.

*CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the confidential opinions of members of the Bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell ratings fall into two categories — legal ability and general ethical standards.

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Our office location

Sternberg Newman Shifrin, Inc.

411 Wolf Ledges Parkway Suite 400
Akron, Ohio 44311
Phone: 330.762.6474
Toll Free: 877.230.5500
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