| As with any question, there are several factors to | | | | handle phone calls with Social Security. Attorneys may |
| consider if you are making this decision. For one thing, | | | | also know workers at Social Security, and even |
| many people applying for Social Security disability | | | | Judges, personally and have a working relationship with |
| benefitsare at the lowest point of their lives, financially | | | | the individuals considering your claim. |
| speaking. They have been trying to support | | | | The factor that keeps some people from hiring an |
| themselves and/or their families and, due to medical | | | | attorney to represent them is that attorneys are paid a |
| problems beyond their control, have not been able to. | | | | fee for their services. However, many law offices |
| They are also probably in need of medical insurance. | | | | offer a free consultationto determine the strength of a |
| There are two sides to consider here. At this point, | | | | case. These attorneys do not charge for your phone |
| these applicants are turning to a source that can | | | | call, and if you are eligible for benefits, they will give |
| provide the help they need: Social Security. The | | | | you your options clearly and professionally. |
| problem is that they have to go through the system, | | | | The fee charged by an attorney is basically a |
| which means paperwork and signatures, phone calls, | | | | contingency fee, which means that they are not paid |
| perhaps extra doctor visits. Is it possible to get benefits | | | | unless you win. The reason for this is that they usually |
| without an attorney? Absolutely. If they can handle the | | | | receive about 25% of the back benefits (usually the |
| applications, appeals, and phone calls required to have | | | | amount you receive from the date of disability to the |
| their case considered, it is definitely possible. | | | | present), which is capped at a set amount (currently |
| However, there are also definite benefits to hiring an | | | | $5300). If you do not win your case, there are no back |
| attorney. First, and most significantly, studies have | | | | benefits awarded and the attorney does not get paid |
| shown that the chances of being approved go up | | | | for services. (The exception to this is out-of-pocket |
| considerably. In some states 34% of those without | | | | expenses such as medical records,etc. that the |
| representation were approved, where close to | | | | attorney may have purchased for you.) |
| 85-90% of those with representation won their cases | | | | So the question is, does an attorney really get you |
| (this was with a national firm called Myler Disability | | | | disability benefits? The answer is, it's definitely possible. |
| Law). There may be several reasons for this. | | | | If you decide to go it on your own, remember to keep |
| Experienced attorneys can anticipate the strength of a | | | | on top of the paperwork so you don't miss deadlines, |
| case. If a case is weak, an attorney knows what can | | | | and check on the status of your claim often with |
| make it stronger and probably has medical | | | | Social Security. If you decide to hire an attorney, make |
| connections that can benefit a client. Experienced | | | | sure he/she is experienced in disability law. In either |
| attorneys are familiar to the process and can handle | | | | case, best of luck! |
| the paperwork quickly and accurately, as well as | | | | |