If you have a Social Security dispute that you can’t resolve on your own, finding a lawyer can be the next step. Since you may not have a lot of experience looking for lawyers—particularly lawyers specializing in Social Security—we put together a guide to help you find the right one for your case.
Key Takeaways
- If it’s complicated applying for Social Security benefits, or if a disability claim has been rejected, you can enlist an attorney for help.
- Be sure to identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and know their way around the system.
- Make sure the lawyer you choose has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding.
- Many of these lawyers will take a retroactive fee based on Social Security benefits received from a successful case—limited to 25% of your past-due benefits up to a maximum of $7,200.
Pre-Qualify Yourself
Before even looking for a lawyer, know the basics of Social Security. Most cases that may need the help of a lawyer involve disability claims.
Social Security disability is for people who have a medical condition that fits Social Security’s definition of a disability. And to qualify, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. In other words, if you never paid into Social Security, you’re not going to get anything out.
If you do qualify, you can get monthly benefits checks only if you are unable to work for at least one year because of a disability.
If you paid into the system in the past, you can’t work for at least a year, and you still didn’t receive your benefits checks, your disagreement with Social Security probably stems from whether your medical condition is actually a disability under Social Security’s rules. That’s where a lawyer can help if you were already denied.
What a Lawyer Can and Can’t Do
If you’re looking for a lawyer in the hope of speeding up your appeal, you might be wasting your time. Whether you have a Social Security lawyer or not, it takes quite a while to get through the process. A good lawyer will never promise a faster approval. What they might say is that they can help you meet deadlines, compile and file all requested documentation, and make sure everything’s completed properly and in a way that avoids any unnecessary holdups.
Just like lawyers can’t speed up the process, they also can’t guarantee that you’ll win. With the help of a good lawyer, you’ll up your chances of winning, but lawyers can’t ethically say that they will win your case for you. If they do, that’s probably a lawyer to avoid.
How to Find the Right Lawyer
You can find Social Security disability lawyers in a variety of ways. The internet has plenty of lawyer referral sites. Legal aid clinics and referral services operated by state bar associations are also sources for the names of people to interview.
Be careful. Just because you find an attorney by searching one of these sources doesn’t guarantee they’ll be good, ethical lawyers.
A better way to put together a list of lawyers to interview is probably through word of mouth, in person, or through social media, from people who have had good experiences with a Social Security disability lawyer. And you need to ask questions before hiring someone.
These Folks Are Busy
Social Security disability lawyers have a lot of cases, and they spend a lot of time in court. Don’t be put off if you call and can’t speak to the attorney right away.
You might talk to somebody in the office to get your first round of questions answered. Some initial questions could include:
- Do you have experience with clients who have [your medical condition]?
- How many approvals are at the hearing level?
- What percentage of your cases did you win, gaining your clients their full benefits?
Although disability lawyers are busy, you want to hire one who has a staff of people who will answer any questions you have accurately and promptly. Here are some questions to ask along those lines:
- Will I have my own case manager?
- Tell me about your support staff.
- How often can I expect a call updating me on the progress of my case?
- Will you advance the cost of getting my medical records? (Most will.)
Once you talk to the attorney, there are more questions:
- How long have you practiced disability law?
- How many cases do you handle each year?
- How long have you practiced in this region?
How Much Will It Cost?
Most cases will cost you little or nothing upfront. Lawyers take their fees from any retroactive benefits you’re awarded from Social Security. The fee is limited to 25% of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $7,200.
The attorney will have you sign a document that allows Social Security to pay the law firm directly. Most lawyers will only get paid if they win your claim for you. If you get nothing, you owe the lawyer nothing.
Because the lawyer will likely have to request medical, school, work, and psychological records that come with a cost, they might pass on that fee to you. This should be a couple of hundred dollars at most. There may also be small fees related to postage and copying expenses.
Before hiring a lawyer, ask about the fee structure. If they tell you that it’s all paid by the Social Security Administration, ask about any extra fees that might come out of your pocket.
Since it costs you nothing unless and until you win, consider talking to somebody if you file a claim and get turned down initially.
What Should You Know Before Looking for a Lawyer?
Know the basics of Social Security first. Most cases that may need a lawyer involve disability claims. Social Security disability is for people who have a medical condition that fits Social Security’s definition of a disability. And to qualify, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security.
How Do You Find a Social Security Lawyer?
The best way to put together a list of lawyers to interview is probably through word of mouth, in person, or through social media, from people who have had good experiences with a Social Security disability lawyer.
Other ways are searching the internet for lawyer referral sites, and seeking out legal aid clinics and referral services operated by state bar associations for names of people to interview.
What Will a Social Security Lawyer Cost You?
Little or nothing upfront in most cases. Lawyers take their fees from any retroactive benefits you’re awarded from Social Security. The fee is limited to 25% of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $7,200.
Before hiring a lawyer, ask about the fee structure—including any extra fees that might come out of your pocket.
The Bottom Line
You can get an attorney’s help if you’re having trouble applying for Social Security benefits or if a disability claim has been rejected. Identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and who know their way around the system. Make sure your lawyer has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding.
Read the original article on Investopedia.