how do attorney help with recieving disability

by Jaylen Friesen IV 5 min read

On the initial application, your lawyer can offer advice on your " alleged onset date " of disability, argue that your condition meets one of the listed impairments in Social Security's "blue book," and help you focus on the facts that will be most persuasive to Social Security.

A lawyer or advocate can fill out the SSDI or SSI application on your behalf and help gather medical records and other evidence for your claim. They can review your application for mistakes or omissions that could hurt your chances of success and can join you for meetings or conferences with Social Security officials.

Full Answer

How can a disability lawyer Help you Win Your Case?

Feb 09, 2022 · Your disability lawyer will determine the best way to win your case. First, your lawyer will review your denial letter from Social Security to get the agency's reasons it denied your claim so that these issues can be resolved in your favor. (For more information, see our article on denial notices .)

What does a Social Security disability lawyer do?

Your attorney can help you prepare and advise you on how to describe your impairment and the limitations you’re experiencing. More than preparing you beforehand, your Charlotte Social Security Disability attorney will also be present at the hearing to make an opening statement, question witnesses and experts brought by the SSA, and make further arguments to the judge …

What happens when you get in touch with a disability lawyer?

Mar 15, 2016 · An experienced Social Security disability lawyer can strengthen your chances in a few ways: 1. By Understanding the Law. An attorney understands your rights and knows how to persuasively argue for the benefits you deserve after your injury. They can cite the exact rules and laws which may be relevant to your case. 2.

Can a disability lawyer reject my case?

Feb 23, 2022 · A disability lawyer can examine your initial application, determine why you were denied, and, if possible, make the necessary changes to get your application approved. An attorney knows the laws and can make sure that your rights are fully protected.

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What is Social Security disability attorney?

A Social Security disability attorney has experience dealing with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, as a result, is very skilled at handling the various issues that may arise throughout the application process.Mar 5, 2018

What are the chances of getting approved for disability?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average acceptance rate of initial applications is 22 percent, and approximately 63 percent of SSDI applications are denied.

How would you describe pain to a disability judge?

Pain is often hard to describe, but you should do your best to relate your pain as specifically as possible to the judge. This would include telling the judge what type of pain you experience (burning, stabbing, etc.), how often you experience it, and how you would quantify it (for example, on a scale of 1 to 10).

What is the hardest state to get disability?

OklahomaOklahoma is the hardest state to get approved for social security disability. This state has an SSDI approval rate of only 33.4% in 2020 and also had the worst approval rate in 2019, with 34.6% of SSDI claims approved.Jan 11, 2021

What is the most approved disability?

Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.Dec 16, 2021

What should you not say in a disability interview?

Do not say things like, “I want to work” or “If I could work, I would.” By saying such statements, a judge may get the picture that you could possibly work. The point is that there are some people with extreme disabilities who do work but this is not the point that you should be making at your hearing.

What should you not say when applying for Social Security disability?

For example, don't describe yourself as a manager or supervisor unless you had the ability to hire, fire, or discipline employees. This is the case regardless of your job title. Describe exactly what you did in your job—don't talk yourself up or down.

What can you not say at a disability hearing?

“I can't find a job.” Anything that implies you would work if you could, such as “Nobody will hire me” or “I'd have to move if I wanted to work,” are huge no-nos. SSD benefits are awarded because your disability makes you unable to work, not because you can't find a job (that's what unemployment benefits are for).Jul 9, 2021

What Happens When I First Call A Disability Attorney?

When you first contact an attorney for representation, either the attorney or a firm staff member will conduct an initial interview with you to gat...

How Will My Attorney Develop My Medical Evidence?

Your attorney, or a staff member in the law firm, will request the medical records needed to win your claim and submit them to the Social Security...

How Will My Attorney Help Me Get Ready For My Hearing?

It is not unusual for attorneys to wait until a month or two before a disability hearing to first speak to a client. Up to that point, your only co...

Will My Attorney Arrange Witnesses For Me?

The SSA allows you to bring a witness to testify about your disability, but because witnesses can be harmful or helpful, your attorney will decide...

How Will My Attorney Argue My Case?

Your disability lawyer will determine the best way to win your case. First, your lawyer will review your denial letter from Social Security to get...

How to prove disability?

Next, your attorney will develop a "theory" of why you are disabled under Social Security disability law. Your attorney will write a legal brief for the judge explaining the theory of the case. There are three main possible "theories" an attorney can use to do this. Your lawyer can: 1 prove that your condition meets a disability "listing" 2 prove that you "grid" out of all work (including not being able to do your past work) 3 prove that your non-exertional limitations prevent you from working, or 4 prove that your exertion level is " less than sedentary ."

Can an attorney represent you?

You must answer all of your attorney's questions as honestly as you can—even if the questions are embarrassing or you feel ashamed of the answers. Otherwise, your attorney cannot represent you effectively. Remember that your attorney is not there to judge you, but to help you win your claim.

How to contact a disability attorney in Charlotte?

For more information on how you can benefit from working with a disability attorney, contact us at our Charlotte law office by calling 877-330-4817.

Can I apply for disability on my own?

Although anyone can apply for Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits on his or her own, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) application and appeals processes are complicated and involve a lot of medical and vocational issues that can be difficult for the average person to navigate.

What does an attorney do for disability?

An attorney can take care of many of these details for you. Your attorney knows what to say to strengthen your case and can be a powerful voice for you. Sometimes seemingly minor pieces of evidence or innocuous statements mean the difference between a successful disability benefits claim and a denial.

How long can you work if you are disabled?

You need to prove that your disability or your illness has prevented you from working for either the past 12 months or will prevent you from working for 12 months or longer .

What are the differences between SSDI and SSI?

There are some key differences in SSI benefits: 1 SSI benefits are paid out of general tax revenue and not out of Social Security taxes. 2 SSI benefits are designed to help individuals with a disability who have limited or no income and who have no assets above a certain level. 3 To be considered disabled for SSI benefits, you must meet the same conditions as SSDI benefits — you have not been able to work for the last 12 months or will be unable to work for the next 12 months or longer. 4 SSI benefits provide cash to meet basic needs like food, clothing and housing. 5 You can earn up to $750 a month on SSI benefits as an individual and up to $1,125 as a couple, but funds will be subtracted from your benefits if they meet the SSI definition of income. So if you were earning $200 a month in income as an individual, that amount would be subtracted from the $750 benefit total, and you would receive $550 in SSI benefits. 6 If you are eligible for SSI benefits, you may also be eligible for SSDI benefits. If you think you qualify for both benefits, this is an ideal situation where an attorney can help you determine how to proceed.

What is an attorney?

An attorney understands your rights and knows how to persuasively argue for the benefits you deserve after your injury. They can cite the exact rules and laws which may be relevant to your case.

Why are SSDI applications denied?

Many applications for SSDI benefits or SSI benefits are denied because they do not have enough medical evidence to prove your disability claim. One of the main jobs of your attorney while preparing for the hearing with the ALJ is to gather all this necessary documentation.

What is the difference between SSI and Social Security?

There are some key differences in SSI benefits: SSI benefits are paid out of general tax revenue and not out of Social Security taxes. SSI benefits are designed to help individuals with a disability who have limited or no income and who have no assets above a certain level.

What to do if the appeals council denies your application?

5. Federal Court. Finally, if the Appeals Council still denies your application, you can file a lawsuit with the federal court. You should note, however, that at this final stage of the appeals process, you are required to start paying court fees to file your suit.

The Advantages of Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer Before You Apply

If you hire an experienced Social Security disability lawyer before you apply for Social Security disability benefits, then you can be confident that your attorney will:

The Advantages of Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer If You Need to Reapply

You may not have hired a lawyer the first time you applied for Social Security disability benefits and your application may have been denied. However, you can benefit from a Social Security disability lawyer if you need to reapply. Specifically, you should consider that:

What Does it Cost to Hire a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

If you decide to hire a lawyer to represent you at any stage of the SSA disability process, you should know how that lawyer is paid. First and foremost, you do not pay the lawyer any fees that are not part of your settlement. Federal law regulates this.#N#You only pay if the lawyer succeeds in getting your benefits for you.

What to do if your disability is denied?

If your claim gets denied at the initial application stage, you have the right to appeal the SSA’s decision. This is where an experienced disability lawyer can help you too. They can help you navigate the appeals process and file a request for reconsideration.

What happens if you have never applied for disability?

If you’ve never applied for disability benefits, they will assess your eligibility for disability. But if you’ve already been denied, they will look at what went wrong with your application. The information you’ll provide them about your denied disability is essential.

How to explain disability?

After gathering all the information about your disability, they can formulate a theory for why you are disabled. They will then use this theory to argue that: 1 your condition meets a disability listing 2 you cannot go back to your previous work or engage in any substantial gainful activity 3 your “limitations” prevent you from working 4 you cannot even do a sedentary type of work

What is the SSA disability determination process?

The SSA’s disability determinations process uses an evidence-based approach in granting disability benefits. They will want you to prove that your disability really prevents you from going back to work or doing any type of income-generating activity.

Who is Judy Ponio?

Judy Ponio is a writer for Victor Malca Law P.A. and enjoys helping people with questions about social security, workers compensation, and other serious matters involving people’s livelihood. She is not an attorney and her writing should not be considered legal advice.

Who is Victor Malca?

Victor Malca P.A. has over 25 years of litigation experience in Workers Compensation and Social Security Disability lawsuits. His experience and continued success in fighting for his clients puts among the most trusted workers’ compensation lawyers in Florida. Our area of expertise is in representing injured workers on compensation benefit cases and disabled individuals claim social security disability benefits.

How long does a disability last?

To receive disability, the condition must be expected to last a year or longer or it must be expected to culminate in your death. Disability claims can be complicated, and the odds of having a claim approved aren’t always in the favor of the disabled worker. Those who have a disability advocate or a Social Security Disability attorney representing ...

What to do if you are unable to work?

If you are unable to work and are seeking disability benefits, there are many ways that a lawyer can help your claim. First off, the key to a successful case is hard medical evidence and other supporting documentation that proves your condition is so limiting you are unable to work.

What happens if you get denied Social Security?

When your initial claim for Social Security disability is denied you will have to go through an appeal process. People who have legal representation at this stage are often more successful in being approved for benefits than those who decide to go on and represent themselves.

Can an attorney represent you at a hearing?

An attorney can represent you at this hearing and will be able to help you prepare for questioning at the hearing. An attorney will be able to determine what kinds of questions you will be asked and will be able to help you determine the best way to proceed with your claim.

What happens if a claim is denied?

After the claim is denied, you will file a request for reconsideration. Upon the reconsideration review, very few claims are approved. After the second denial, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

How long does it take to get backpay?

You cannot receive backpay for more than 12 months before your application date minus the five-month waiting period. However, it can often take several months to have a disability claim approved and those months are added into the count for backpay.

Do disability attorneys get paid?

Disability attorneys and advocates take cases on the contingency basis. This means that your advocate or lawyer isn ’t paid until your claim is approved and you get disability benefits.

When you think you won't be able to work for a long time, have a free consultation with a disability lawyer

When you think you won't be able to work for a long time, have a free consultation with a disability lawyer.

Why Hire a Disability Attorney?

The most important reason to hire an attorney to help with your disability case is that your chances of being approved are significantly increased.

When Should I Call a Lawyer?

The general rule is "the earlier, the better." If you're even considering filing for disability, you should call a disability attorney for a free consultation. Your attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case and assist you with your initial application.

How Contingency Fees Work

First of all, sitting down for a consultation with a disability lawyer is free. You have nothing to lose by calling a law firm and getting their opinion about your case. If you decide to hire a lawyer – and they agree to take your case – you will need to sign a contingency fee agreement.

Discuss Your Case with a Disability Attorney

Because it generally does not cost anything to speak with or hire a disability lawyer, it is always worth it to schedule a free consultation. Once you are working with a lawyer, their payment will depend on how much past-due benefits you are awarded.

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Lawyers and Social Security Disability

  • Disability benefits are a federally run program through the Social Security Administration (SSA) that provides financial assistance to those who have become disabled and are unable to work to earn a living wage. Disability benefits can be used to cover the costs of medical bills and everyday living expenses. Being denied disability benefits is common, and if you feel that your a…
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Initial Review

  • When your disability benefits application is denied and you decide to appeal the decision, you should first research the disability lawyers in your area. Once you decide on a law firm to contact, you will call their office and they will perform an initial review of your case. The lawyer will look at the details of your case and why you were denied before deciding to represent you. Most disabili…
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Gathering Medical Evidence

  • In order togain access to your medical records to gather evidence, the lawyer will have you sign a medical privacy release that allows them to do so. Most importantly, they will contact your treating doctors to get written statements about your disability diagnosis; prognosis; and a residual functional capacity (RFC) assessment, which shows the functional limitations of your di…
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Pre-Hearing Meeting

  • Before your hearing with the SSA to determine if your case was wrongfully denied, your lawyer will hold a pre-hearing meeting with you to go over some of the potential questions you will be asked. This will be either in person or over the phone. Among the many questions, these may include: The key to a successful disability claim is to prove that your medical records support your claim…
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Developing Theory For Your Case

  • Before your hearing, your lawyer will also develop a theory for why you are disabled, and use this as a strategy to present your case in court. The possible theories for your disability include: • Your condition meets a disability listing • You can’t perform your prior jobs, a.k.a., you “grid out” • You can’t perform even a sedentary, or sit-down, job
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Paying Your Lawyer

  • As with most legal cases, your lawyer will only be paid if you win your case. You will need to sign a contingency fee that says the SSA will pay your lawyer if you win your case. The money that is paid to your lawyer will come out of your back payment amount. Usually, the lawyer is paid around 25% of your back payment lump sum, up to $6,000. For example, if you are awarded $20,000 in b…
See more on disabilitybenefitscenter.org

Additional Resources