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HOW CAN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAWYER HELP YOU?

What type of lawyer can help you with Social Security disability?

 Social Security Disability lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and resources to help ensure that your application is accurate and to advocate for your rights every step of the way--from application through appeals.

Here are a few things a disability lawyer  can do for you:

  • Evaluate your claim to see if you meet the essential requirements.
  • Apply Social Security law to your claim to decide how best to go forward.
  • Decide on a legal theory of your case with the best chance to get you paid.
  • Contact doctors and medical providers to get appropriate evidence.
  • Submit evidence of disability to Social Security in a timely manner.
  • Make legal arguments why Social Security should approve your claim.  These may be based on:
    • Medical Vocational Guidelines
    • The Social Security Listings
    • Your Residual Functional Capacity 
  • Answer objections Social Security makes about your case.
  • Write documents to decision makers stating your case strongly.
  • Obtain special evidence from doctors, beyond the usual medical records. 
  • Prepare you and your case for a hearing before a judge when necessary.
  • Attend the hearing with you to safeguard your rights and assist you.
  • Make sure that you get all the past due benefits (back pay) you deserve.

 How To Choose A Disability Lawyer or Advocate

  1. Choose one who specializes in Social Security disability; it's a very specialized area of law. Experience counts a lot.
  2. Look for a lawyer/advocate who has a history of winning cases.
  3. Read the lawyer's reviews posted by other clients. While probably no one has a perfect rating, choose one as well rated as you can find.
  4. Get a local lawyer in your community that you can visit before you hire.
  5. Look for one with the personality, availability and commitment you want to work with. Will (s)he talk to you?  Return phone calls?

 HOW MUCH CAN MY LAWYER CHARGE?

Legal fees are set by Social Security and must be approved by the SSA in advance.  Your lawyer cannot charge you a fee until the Social Security Administration authorizes it and decides the amount of the fee.

You may not be charged a fee until your claim is decided in your favor AND you are awarded past due benefits (also called back pay).

Currently, a lawyer may charge no more than 25 percent of your back pay, up to a dollar amount (cap) set by Social Security each year.

Does Having a Lawyer Help My Chances of Getting Benefits?

Yes.  A study by the US Government (US Government Accountability Office, or GAO) - finds you are about 3 times more likely to be awarded disability benefits when you are represented by a lawyer or a non-lawyer representative who is eligible for direct payment of fees.  These professionals have passed the rigid requirements set forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to represent claimants and provide credible representation in Social Security claims.

The same GAO study found that only 31 percent of claimants who do not have professional representation are awarded benefits.

 

How to Get Social Security Disability 

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Provided as information by:  The Forsythe Firm, Huntsville, AL 35806.  Phone (256) 799-0297.  Email:  ForsytheFirm@gmail.com     Free consultations!

 

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