Today we’d like to introduce you to R. Dustin Hutcheson.
Hi Dustin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
We started Hutcheson Advocacy Team, LLC, in November 2019. Although I have been in this line of work for going on 15 years – at the close of the previous business I was employed, I had two options: 1) go back to working for another employer somewhere, or 2) continue doing what I have been doing, but on my own – I chose option two and today, I could not be any more happier with that decision. We are an advocacy firm assisting individuals from all walks of life in navigating the social security disability “world”. I have been fortunate enough to see people get off of the streets and into permanent housing, go from getting no medical treatment to now having the medical insurance to obtain all the treatments they need, and most importantly, finally have a sense of stability in their lives. Although we are based in Dallas, in 2022 we are expanding our current practice into other states and regions. On top of that, we are also beginning our own insurance agency (health and life insurance) as well as another program to get people back into competitive employment that have been out of the workforce for a while due to disabilities they have. The greatest reward received in doing this line of work – is seeing people go from highly stressful situations to becoming more calm and stable in their lives.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road at all. It is extremely difficult staying in communication with clients who are on the streets and have no steady phone number or mailing address. Aside from that, that bulk of our work is dealing directly with a federal government agency (Social Security Administration), and as we all know, any area of the government you have to deal with, is never an easy feat to conquer. Building our caseload has been the most challenging out of everything because quite simply, most people do not want to admit they are not able to work a full-time job due to something being “wrong” with themselves (either physically or mentally or both). Once people overcome that first hurdle, then it is easier for them to reach out for help.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Hutcheson Advocacy Team, LLC?
I am an Accredited Disability Representative. I specialize in advocating for individuals who are attempting to obtain their social security disability benefits (SSI / SSDI / Medicaid / Medicare) due to being unable to work a full-time job anymore. My firm will help clients from the very beginning of the application process through the Appeals Council process (there are four ‘levels; between the beginning and the AC level – this time frame can be anywhere from six months to three years or more). What sets me apart is being a non-attorney disability representative. There are many attorneys that practice in this area of the law and most of them I hold high respect and regard for; however, most individuals have a slight intimidation when you hear the word “attorney” before someone’s name. That is the area I squeeze in! I want folks to feel as though they are speaking with a family member about their impairments and be able to communicate with us as frequently as they wish. We are now 100% electronic so communicating with us is as simple as a few clicks of the keyboard or your cell phone – no need for calling and being on hold for hours at the time. We are also constantly networking with various medical and mental healthcare providers to assist them with their indigent patients throughout the DFW area. We also work with various charitable organizations as well.
As mentioned before, we advocate for individuals applying for disability benefits; however, as of March 2022 we will also be able to assist people in choosing the right health and/or life insurance programs and by December 2022 we will be working with individuals in obtaining full-time employment through various employers and programs that offer jobs to those with disabilities.
What does success mean to you?
Success is not just about revenue – although revenue definitely makes the burden of owning a business much less burdensome. Success, in my opinion, is divided into two categories: 1) making your clients/customers satisfied and happy with our products and services, and 2). building a strong team of employees around you that your can pay generously and show your loyalty to them – if you have satisfied employees, you will have satisfied clientele. So, happy employees = happy clients = SUCCESS!
Contact Info:
- Email: info@hatdisability.com
- Website: www.hatdisability.com
