Serving Ocean and Monmouth Counties, NJ
Satellite Office in Red Bank, by appointment only
Located near the Ocean County Court House
Social Security Disability Law
Social Security Disability Law in Toms River, NJ
Are you suffering from an injury or illness that prevents you from working? If so, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits intended to help you with your financial and healthcare needs. A common concern that frequently prevents people from taking advantage of these programs is the confusing paperwork involved. Let us come to your aid by preparing the documentation necessary to present your best case for trial. We'll also help you assess your chances of success based on our over 20 years of experience. We cannot guarantee your outcome, but we promise to give you the most thorough and compassionate attention to your specific needs. Call us today if you are unable to work for any of the following reasons:
- Debilitating Injury or Illness
- Severe Back or Neck Pain
- Uncontrolled Diabetes
- Debilitating Effects from Cancer
- Disabling Conditions Since Birth
- Learning Disability
- Anxiety or Depression
An Assertive Disability Lawyer
It is all too common for disabled individuals to be denied Social Security Disability benefits and give up after only one try. Do not let the bureaucracy discourage you from getting the support you and your family need. Instead, call today and let us handle the hard part. We are prepared to take your case to court in order to get you the money and healthcare you deserve. Contact me today if your claim for Social Security Disability or SSI has been denied. Be sure to do so without delay since you usually have only 60 days to submit your appeal.
Join the thousands of satisfied people whom we have successfully represented throughout the years and see for yourself why we have such loyal and satisfied clients. We look forward to meeting you!
Applying for Social Security Disability?
Top 5 Things You Should NOT Do that Could Jeopardize Your Chances of Winning Your Case
So you’ve made the difficult decision to stop working due to injury or illness and decided to apply for social security disability benefits (SSD). Everything’s in place, but are you doing everything you can to ensure you will qualify?
Here’s a list of the Top Five Reasons why you may still be denied and what you can do to present your best case:
You’re Still Working
Let’s be reasonable. If you are trying to prove your inability to work, but are still actually employed, you have not proven your case. You are demonstrating your ability to work simply by remaining in the workforce. And while Social Security Administration (SSA) recognizes your need to bring home a paycheck, they will have a hard time approving your claim. Most people who have successful applications cannot engage in full time work of any kind and have made the hard choice not to work in any occupation while their claim is pending. Please take this into consideration when making your application.
You’re Collecting Unemployment Benefits
SSA will not look favorably on applicants who allege they are “ready, willing, and able to work” on their unemployment application while at the same time telling the SSA that they are unfit for employment. Which is it? The message is inconsistent and will allow the SSA to assume you are simply filing a claim while you are looking for work. Again, while the SSA sees your need for income, it is an understandable obstacle for the SSA to grant you disability benefits. If you have already applied for SSD while receiving unemployment benefits, consider the effect it will have on your SSD application.
You Missed a Deadline
Generally, the SSA gives you 60 days to appeal your initial denial,
Request for Reconsideration, and Request For a Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge. If an applicant does not comply with these statutory deadlines and cannot offer a good reason why a deadline was missed, an assumption can be made by SSA that you are not truly disabled. Know these important deadlines and don’t miss them.
You Failed to Properly Prepare Your File
Does SSA have ALL of your medical records, work history, prescription list, and list of limitations? Are you and your lawyer keeping them updated on any changes in your condition? Have you attempted to return to work, only to stop after a short time due to your disability? Failure to keep them informed and create a comprehensive file can have a negative effect on your claim.
You Represent Yourself
Without proper representation, it’s easy to see how someone could make basic mistakes or omissions on their file that could cause them to lose their case. Don’t assume you cannot hire quality legal representation for what may be the most important proceeding of your life. Attorneys are not paid unless they are successful and usually the funds to pay your attorney come out of your cumulative benefits. Attorneys experienced in SSD applications will make sure your file is complete and updated at all stages of your claim to ensure a successful outcome for you.
If you or a loved one needs help with their SSD application, call me for a free consultation.
Remote/Contactless Consultations Available!
Reviews
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Kathleen was always kind, courteous & responsive to my questions and concerns. I highly recommend Kathleen to assist you. I will be referring her to everyone.- Cathy Semenza. 4/21/2020![]()
Kathleen cared about me not only as a client but as a person. She put her arms around me more than once to comfort me during a very difficult time. Kathleen and her Assistant Allison were always responsive and led me through the process every step of the way. Thank you both so much- Cathy Semenza. 4/21/2020![]()
I had hired a attorney to take my case. Honestly he talked down to me and I felt intimidated by him. I had heard about Kathleen from a friend so I trusted my feelings and went to see her. We talked and she explained how everything was going to go. When I left her office I knew she was a honest compassionate attorney. So if you need to know anything about your case call her. You will get the settlement you deserve. You will also know that you have a person representing you that you can trust.- Donna Chick. 4/9/2020![]()
Kathleen Dotoli was helping my husband with his social security disability hearing due to his worsing health. He had suddenly passed away and she had reached out to me and was letting me know that she wants to fight for me to get his benfits. She was kind and helpful walking me through the process. I truly appreciated her standing by me in my difficult time and trying to help me win his case. I appreciate her professionalism and kindness that she showed me and I will highly recommend her to anyone who needs her services.- kholoud bayat. 3/26/2020![]()
I share Kathleen’s contact information with everyone I know. I know her personally and I find her to be hard working and intelligent as well as Professional and does the best job to win her clients the best settlement in their favor every single time!- Tina Pilot. 2/12/2020![]()
Kathleen Datoli helped me through a very difficult time on a workers compensation case with the upmost patience and professionalism!!! She was not only concerned about my case but my well being as well. I would highly recommend her and her staff as she is very well versed with her specialty!!! Thank you so much for being there for me every step of the way!!!- christine truszkowski. 10/7/2019![]()
Kathy took on my disability case and ensured me that she was going to fight for me to get what I deserved since I have had a lot of problems following a past workers comp injury. She was always so sweet, and always answered every question I had for her with no problem. She won my disability case and they back dated it all the way to the day that I got hurt. She is also reopening my worker's comp case since my injuries are getting worse and I know my case is in good hands with Kathy and I wouldn't trust anyone else with it.- Gina M. 2/13/2019![]()
Kathleen is professional and compassionate...a very competent attorney. 🤗- Evelyn Sutter. 11/12/2018![]()
I want to say thank you for helping me every step of the way. I don't know where I would be without the help of Kathleen Dotoli and her law office. They are all great and very honest. Thank you for all your help. I would have lost everything if I wasn't introduced to you.- Leila Crespo. 10/29/2018![]()
"I Don't care how much you know until I know how much you care" That is my motto when it comes to Doctors, Lawyers , Co workers ETC. Kathleen Dotoli reminds me of that, There are still knowledgeable, professional and caring people in these times. Thanks Kid! Jose and Elsa G- Jose Gonzalez. 9/10/2018![]()
Kathy was threw another law firm when I met her and she has always been patient and kind to me. I continued to work with her after she opened up her own firm and she has always cared a lot about my situation and what I was going threw at the time. I would personally recommend her to anyone. She is excellent at what she does and I wouldn't ask for anyone else.- David McConnell. 9/8/2018![]()
I found Kathy Dotoli to be an excellent worker's comp. lawyer and would definitely recommend her.- Michelle Hendley. 5/25/2018![]()
Kathleen Dotoli is a lawyer who gets the job done. She was very thorough and worked hard for me. I'm very satisfied and would highly recommended her.- Lori Cavano. 4/30/2018![]()
Kathleen Dotoli is a fantastic attorney. We have referred her several cases and all of our clients have been very happy and extremely satisfied with her representation. She works very hard for her clients and above all, cares about their well being.- Christine Matus. 4/3/2018![]()
It is my pleasure to highly recommend Kathleen M. Dotoli, Esq because of her fierce and uncompromising commitment to her clients. She is a force to be reckoned with. My first introduction cemented my impression that Kathleen was skilled and creatively talented in the Workers' Compensation & Social Security Disability arena.- David Leta. 9/18/2017![]()
My husband and I visited Ms Dotoli at her office to discuss a rather complicated social security case. While she didn't feel that she was the right attorney to handle this for us,she spent over an hour with us discussing the case, helping us with confusing paperwork, and making phone calls for us trying to point us in the right direction. She provided us with invaluable information that was extremely helpful, and we left feeling much calmer and more confident than when we had arrived. She is an extremely selfless and knowledgeable attorney, who greated us warmly and gave us all the time we needed despite ringing phones and an obviously busy office. To top it off, she refused payment!!! I cannot say enough about the experience we had or impression made by this attorney and if you should find yourself in need of her expertise do not hesitate. Impossible to find better anywhere.- Miriam Matalon. 4/11/2017
22 Reviews
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