Filing a claim for disability benefits with the Social Security Administration (SSA) can be a long and complicated process. Whether you are filing an initial application, filing an appeal, or preparing for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge, consulting a legal professional can provide you with a great advantage. Many people recognize that hiring an attorney before filing an initial application and through the entire process can increase their chances of success and their benefit amounts. So which attorney is right for you and your case? When interviewing prospective attorneys, there are five areas of concern you need to address:
1) Experience – Ask the attorney if they have any experience dealing with your specific disability. They should be able to show you any cases they have dealt with in the past where the client had the same injuries and the results of these cases. Since there are so many different kinds of injuries and disabilities, experience with your specific disability is a definite advantage.
2) Length of time in business and success rate – Ask potential attorneys how long they have been representing clients in disability cases. Attorneys with more experience are more familiar with the process and paperwork required. Ask them what their success rate is. You want an attorney with a proven track record.
3) Fees – Ask for a complete detail of fees up front. Know what the billing rate for your attorney is and keep in mind that phone calls are billed as well. Many reputable attorneys won’t collect a fee until you win your case and begin to receive benefit checks. Attorneys can be expensive. The idea here is to avoid any big surprises.
4) Paperwork – The key to any successful disability claim is the paperwork. Ask the attorney if they are available to help you complete the required documents. Find out if they will track your forms and appeals for you, and if they will contact your doctors to request medical records. An attorney who doesn’t provide these services is not the disability attorney for you.
5) References – A great way to determine the quality of an attorney is to talk to former clients. Ask the attorney to provide you with contact information. Former customers can provide you with insight into how helpful the attorney was for their cases. Attorneys who readily provide this information have nothing to hide.
Securing the services of a quality disability attorney is a good idea for all Social Security disability applicants. They can help you to navigate the complex disability system and help you receive maximum benefit amounts in a timely fashion. When choosing an attorney for yourself, keep these five areas of concern in mind.
