TIPS TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (SSA)
We know that navigating the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be difficult. That's why we've compiled some helpful tips to follow when dealing...
If you’ve suffered an injury or have been diagnosed with a medical condition that makes it impossible for you to continue working, you can apply to receive Social Security disability benefits. However, the application process can be time-consuming, complicated and a little confusing for most.
Hiring a disability attorney or advocate can help you navigate the process and can also improve your chances of being approved to receive benefits. Although applicants aren’t required to work with a disability attorney, it can definitely help ease some of the stress of applying. A disability attorney will ensure that you understand the application process and that your application addresses all of the important issues that are necessary to best represent your case.
Whether you’ve only recently decided to apply for benefits or you’ve already applied and have been denied, you can turn to the expertise of an experienced social security lawyer at any point in the application process.
Working with an experienced disability lawyer has several advantages. Most cases that are filed without representation are denied due to the following issues:
A social security disability attorney can help you with all of the above. They will help you gather the correct information and medical documentation regarding your disability. They will also ensure that your information and documentation is submitted in a timely manner that meets all deadlines, and they will continue to follow up with the SSA about the status of your claim.
Once you’ve received disability benefits, you will have to periodically check in with the SSA regarding the status of your condition and physical limitations. An attorney can help you keep track of these required follow-ups and ensure that you meet deadlines for these submissions.
They will represent you in appeals. In the event that your original claim is denied by the SSA, you will have to complete and submit the appropriate paperwork to file for an appeal. A disability lawyer can assist with the paperwork and file the appeal on your behalf.
They can also help you request a disability hearing, where they can verbally argue your case, and you and your attorney can answer any questions that the administrative law judge (ALJ) may ask. Your attorney will prepare you to answer any questions that the judge might ask, will accompany you to these hearings, and will represent your case in the most favorable light based upon your medical condition and available documentation.
When you reach the point where you can no longer work and need to file for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security Insurance (SSI), you are most likely struggling to make ends meet. You might be thinking, “how am I supposed to afford a disability attorney”?
The good news is that we do not charge disability clients any up-front costs for our social security attorney’s services. The SSA has regulations that govern how a disability attorney is paid.
Social security lawyers work on a contingency basis and do not receive payment until you receive your disability benefits. They cannot charge more than 25 percent of your back pay (for the period from your initial application through approval of your benefits) and are capped at fees of $6,000 total per case.
Additionally, a disability attorney will cover any upfront costs of obtaining medical records necessary to win your case. However, you will most likely be billed for these costs when you receive your disability benefits. Your attorney fee agreement will specify whether these costs are billable to you.
Once you’ve decided to consult with a disability attorney regarding your case, you will want to be prepared for your initial meeting. Following is a list of tips to prepare for the meeting:
Whether you are about to begin the process of applying for Social Security benefits or you have been denied and need to file an appeal, hiring a disability attorney can give you a better chance of winning your case and getting the financial assistance that you need.
We know that navigating the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be difficult. That's why we've compiled some helpful tips to follow when dealing...
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