When you are filing for Social Security, it is recommended that you start connecting with SSI and SSDI lawyers to assist you in the process.
Just having the connection and being informed will help increase your odds of being approved on your first go-round.
However, if you have already applied and been denied, then it not just important to hire and SSI Lawyer, it is critical!
The costs for SSI lawyers can be a concern for many seeking help. Costs are often cited as the biggest fear of people in this situation, but the good news is that fees are designed so that the cost of a great SSI Lawyer isn’t your barrier to ultimate success.
How SSI Lawyers Can Help
As a brief primer, we should cover what Social security lawyers will do to help you once you retain their services. You will receive support, and even hands-on work on your application to social security as well as meeting required deadlines and collecting enough evidence to successfully represent you so that you may be approved to receive your benefits. In short, retaining a good lawyer will make sure your claim and appeal get done… and done well!
SSI Lawyers Work off of a Contingency Fee
SSI lawyers charge a contingency fee for representing you in your Social Security claim. When you first meet your Social Security lawyer, you will go over a contingency fee agreement. Once this is signed, it will allow the Social Security Administration to pay your attorney from your past-due benefits, when they have been approved.
SSI lawyers only get paid for representing you if you win your appeal, and they will only receive payment from your back pay.
Keep in mind that although you are not paying for the lawyers’ services out of pocket, there are other costs involved that might require your payment. A disability attorney needs to have access to and collect all kinds of records including medical, work and school. This process can be pricey, and some attorneys will require you to be the one responsible for your lawyers’ access to them. Any mailing or copying charges could also be your responsibility. It is a good idea when meeting your attorney to ask what costs you will be responsible for and whether those costs are expected to be covered at the time or after you begin receiving benefits.
SSI Lawyers are Pad in Back Pay
Lawyers’ fees are paid through your back pay. This is the money you would be receiving if you were to get benefits during the time you were disabled but not yet approved for benefits. Social security lawyers get a maximum of twenty-five percent of the back pay you are awarded up to a maximum of six thousand dollars. In the rare case you are not awarded back pay, your lawyer might then submit a fee petition. This could allow your lawyer to still receive a fee for their services. This does not mean you necessarily have to pay out of pocket. However, the fee would then typically come out of your awarded amount.
Again, make sure you go over this with any prospective SSI Lawyer you intend to work with.
Exceptions to Contingency Only Claims
There are a few situations where Social Security Lawyers may ask for more than the typical max of six thousand from your back pay and submit a fee petition. These conditions typically require for you to :
- Hire a new, different attorney than who you started with, or fire your previous attorney. This particular case can be confusing. If the first lawyer you worked with did a significant amount of work and did not waive their fee, then the two lawyers will have to share the percentage of your back pay. This may end in your current lawyer asking for a higher fee to make up the difference.
- You are still denied benefits after the appeal hearing and need to further your case to federal court.
If you have questions about your Social Security claim or need assistance filling out your claim, fill out the form below and we’ll have an attorney contact you!
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