Skip to main content

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:

  • 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 

__

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

 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS IN A SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY CASE

What are the top 3 most important factors in a Social Security disability case? 1.  Medical Evidence. 2.  Medical Evidence 3.  Medical Evidence 4-10     Medical Evidence Federal regulations set the eligibility requirements for Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits.  A claimant must meet these strict legal requirements More than anything else, the claimant's medical evidence will determine the outcome of the claim or appeal.  Without strong objective medical evidence Social Security cannot legally pay you a benefit. Objective Medical Evidence means the result of medical examinations, laboratory tests or imaging studies (X-rays, PT scans, MRI or CT scans). This type of evidence can only be obtained by going to your doctor. There's an old adage that says truthfully:  "The path to Social Security disability benefits runs straight through your doctor's office."  Being approved for an SSDI benefit requires objective medical proof. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SOCIAL SECRITY DISABILITY: THE DECISION WRITING PROCESS

  By Charles W. Forsythe - The Forsythe Firm in Huntsville An Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) has made a decision on your Social Security disability appeal hearing. The decision must now be sent to to a process called "Decision Writing" - where an attorney or paralegal will draft the formal binding decision, explaining the judge's legal rationale for the decision and explaining the mandatory 5-Step decision making process. The decision writing process translates a judge's ruling into a formal, legally binding document. It is a vital but time-consuming phase that ensures all medical evidence and vocational factors align with the law. A typical written decision will be 10 to 20 pages, thus very detailed.  It takes time to write one. There are many decisions ahead of yours and usually they are written in the order received. The step-by-step process breaks down as follows: The Judge’s Ruling & Instructions:  Following your hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) r...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNDERSTANDING THE 5-STEP SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PROCESS

Receiving Social Security disability payments depend on one thing:  Proving that you are not able to work. The one and only thing that SSDI pays for is the physical and/or mental inability to work for a period of at least 12 months.  Who decides if you are able to work?  The Social Security Administration (SSA) will decide.--according to their own strict rules and regulations. In reaching that important decision, are you disabled or not, Social Security must use a 5-step examination process.  It's important to understand these 5 sequential steps. STEP 1:  The work Test .  Is the claimant now engaged in Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)?  If yes, the claim is denied at Step 1.  They look no further.  You cannot be eligible for SSDI benefits if you are working at SGA, regardles of your medical condition.  (In 2026 you are working at SGA if you earn at least $1,690 per month from work or self-employment). STEP 2.  The Medical Requirem...
Post a Comment
Read more