How Can An Attorney Help Me?

Obtaining disability benefits can be frustrating if you don't understand how the process and system works.  Without years of experience pursuing disability claims, you are at a major disadvantage.  Avoiding pitfalls, assembling persuasive medical proof, and crafting winning arguments is an art best polished over hundreds of claims.

A knowledgeable and experienced disability attorney can help you by:

• Obtaining reports from treating doctors that are consistent with Social Security regulations
• Referring claimants to specialists for additional reports that answer questions raised by Social Security regulations
• Obtaining a vocational expert's evaluation of your ability to work
• Asking that a prior application for benefits be reopened
• Seeking a waiver of a time limit
• Requesting subpoenas to insure the presence of crucial witnesses or documents
• Advising you on how best to prepare for and testify at the hearing
• Objecting to improper evidence or procedures at the hearing
• Cross-examining adverse witnesses
• Presenting an opening or closing statement
• Submitting a written summary of the evidence and argument
• If you win, making sure the SSA correctly calculates benefits
• If you lose, requesting review of the hearing decision by the Appeals Council

For this work, a disability attorney will typically charge 25% of your back benefits, up to a maximum set by the Commissioner of Social Security, which is currently $7,200.