Am I disabled?

You are disabled if you are not capable of performing work in the national economy due to a mental or physical disability. Your disability must be severe enough to prevent you from working for at least 12 months. Your ability to work depends on the extent of your impairments, taking into account your education and work experience.

 

 

 

 

 

Do I need an attorney?

You have the right to have an attorney represent you in your Social Security case. While it is not essential in all cases, statistics show that people represented by attorneys have been successful more often than people without an attorney.

What will an attorney do for me?

Make sure your paperwork is filled out accurately, every step of the way.

Gather medical and vocational evidence.

 Prepare you and your witnesses to testify at your hearing.

 Help you identify the friends, family members, and professionals who should testify for you, and help them provide information to
    support your case.

Talk to your doctor to make sure your medical records accurately reflect the true extent of your disability.

Accompany you to the hearing and speak on your behalf.

Submit a written brief to the administrative law judge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What does an attorney cost?

We charge 25% of your back-due benefits, up to a maximum attorney fee of $5,300. There is no attorney fee paid unless you win your case.  We may ask our clients to pay for certain administrative expenses as necessary.

When should I contact an attorney?

Generally, we ask that you apply for your benefits first and then contact our office once you have received a denial from the SSA.  However, we can send you the paperwork before you have been denied so that you may complete the proper documentation in advance for our office to hold until such a time as it becomes necessary to file an appeal. 

 

What steps should I take once I am denied?

 

Please be advised that you should contact our office

immediately upon receipt of your denial, as there is a

60 day time limit within which you may file an appeal.

Once the 60 day period has expired, you will have to

reapply for your benefits, causing a potential loss of

those benefits to which you may be entitled.