FAQs for Prospective Clients

  • Do you offer free consultations? 
    • Yes - we do offer free consultations for most cases.  Please call our office at 312-702-1492 or complete the contact form on our website to start the intake process with our office. 
  • Where are your consultations held? 
    • We typically handle consultations over the phone.  We will schedule you for a phone appointment at a time that works for you and the attorney.  We may request that you send documents to our office ahead of your phone appointment.  
  • What is the best way to send documents to your office? 
    • You can send documents via fax (312-588-7274) or email ([email protected]).  You can also request a secure link to upload documents via Dropbox and we will email it to you.  If you have been in touch with someone in our office via email you can also email the documents to them.  
  • Do you help children apply for SSI benefits?
    • No, we do not file new SSI applications for minors.  We do represent minors in appeals if their initial application has been denied.  
  • Do you help adults apply for benefits?
    • Yes, we do assist adults in applying for benefits in some cases.  Please contact our office to discuss the facts of your case. 
  • Do you appeal Social Security denials?
    • Yes, we do represent claimants in appeals.  Please contact our office to discuss the facts of your case.
  • Do you represent claimants at Social Security hearings?
    • Yes, we have extensive experience with hearings before Administrative Law Judges.  Please contact our office to discuss the facts of your case.  
  • What are your fees?
    • Our office works on a contingency fee basis.  That means that you pay us nothing unless we win. Our fees are regulated by Social Security, and based on what Social Security calls “past due benefits.”  Our fee is 25% of our client's past due benefits up to a statutory fee cap that is currently $7200 for most cases. 
  • How do I create a My Social Security Account?
    • You can do that via SSA's website.    
  • How long does a Social Security case typically take?
    • Unfortunately, it's impossible to accurately predict how long the process will take. There are many ingredients that affect the timeline, such as your age, medical history, work history, local office backlog, state agency backlog and hearing office backlog.
      • SSA's data about the average processing time for claims at the initial level can be found here.  Information about wait times for the reconsideration can be found here.  SSA's data about the average wait time for a hearing from the time a hearing is requested can be found here.  
  • I have heard that most people who apply for Social Security disability benefits are denied.  Is that true?
    • Yes, that is true statistically at the initial and reconsideration level.  SSA's data about the amount of cases that were approved versus denied at each stage in 2022 can be found here.  
  • I have an overpayment case.  Can you help me?
    • Unfortunately our office is not currently accepting overpayment cases.  We suggest you reach out to a legal aid organization like Legal Aid Chicago for assistance with your case.  You can also find information about overpayment cases on SSA's website. 
  • I am 67 years old or older and receiving Social Security Retirement.  Can you help me get disability too?
    • Most likely not.  Our office focuses on representing people under the age of 67 with disability claims.
  • I am looking for help with a private short term or long term disability case.  Can you help me?
    • Our office only handles Social Security cases.  There are times when people can apply for Social Security while also pursuing private disability benefits.  Please contact us to speak with us about a Social Security case or to get a referral to an attorney who handles private disability matters.  
  • What is the best way to contact your office?