what do i need to bring for my disability meeting with attorney

Here are some items to bring to your first meeting with a disability lawyer: Medical Records Your medical records are vital to your Social Security disability application.

Full Answer

How will my attorney determine if I meet a disability listing?

Jul 31, 2018 · The Items You Should Bring to Your First Meeting With a Disability Lawyer. Here are some items to bring to your first meeting with a disability lawyer: Medical Records. Your medical records are vital to your Social Security disability application. The SSA has strict requirements as to what conditions qualify for benefits.

Do I need a lawyer for my Social Security disability claim?

In addition to medical information, your disability attorney will need: Current/previous employer information. Social Security paperwork. Disability denial or claims paperwork. Workers’ compensation information (if applicable) If you have other documentation that you think may be important, it probably is.

What do I need from my doctor to qualify for disability benefits?

Nov 19, 2018 · If you've worked recently, include details on work you had to miss due to your disability. If you have any of your medical records, including imaging or blood test results, bring them with you. If not, bring a list of the doctors you've seen over the past few years, along with their contact information. A lawyer may also want to see a list of the medications you take and …

How can a disability lawyer Help you Win Your Case?

May 02, 2016 · by Venus_Admin | May 2, 2016 | Social Security Disability. When you first meet an attorney to discuss your Social Security Disability case you should make sure you are prepared to help your new attorney help you. Any and all paperwork you have received or sent to the Social Security Administration; A list of any and all ailments, illnesses or conditions which cause you …

How do I prepare for a disability hearing?

Steps to Prepare for Your SSDI HearingUnderstand Your Claim. It is important to spend time reviewing your case file with your attorney. ... Prepare Your Notes. At your disability hearing, you will be allowed to use notes to help you discuss your claim. ... Gather Recent Medical Records. ... Get Expert Opinions.

What should I wear to my disability hearing?

Make sure your clothes are clean and presentable. Try to select items that don't have obvious stains or holes. Select items that fit conservatively. Overly revealing clothing will distract from your claim and may give the judge the impression that you aren't taking your hearing seriously.Nov 1, 2013

What can I expect from a disability evaluation?

The physician will only gather the needed medical information on your condition – the consultation is not intended to treat you. However, you can expect to undergo certain tests such as x-rays, blood work, psychological exams, and the like, if the doctor sees the need.Sep 6, 2018

What is the most an attorney can charge for disability?

$6,000First, the basics: Federal law generally limits the fees charged by Social Security disability attorneys to 25% of your backpay, or $6,000, whichever is lower. Back payments are benefits that accrued while you were waiting for Social Security to approve your case.

How do you answer an ALJ question?

When answering an ALJ's questions, we recommend to our clients that they:Stay on subject and don't ramble.Be honest.Be prepared to explain any discrepancies that may be in their record.Don't be embarrassed or offended by the judge's questions.Be specific about their symptoms, treatment and limitations.More items...•Jan 22, 2020

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 tell a disability doctor?

Limit yourself to only talk about your condition and not opinions. Do not tell a disability doctor you think you are dying, that you think the examination is unnecessary, that you do not trust doctors, or that you believe your current medical treatment is not good.Nov 11, 2020

What conditions qualify for disability?

Physical Disability. Locomotor Disability. Leprosy Cured Person. Cerebral Palsy. ... Intellectual Disability. Specific Learning Disabilities. Autism Spectrum Disorder.Mental Behaviour (Mental Illness)Disability caused due to- Chronic Neurological Conditions such as- Multiple Sclerosis. Parkinson's Disease. ... Multiple Disabilities.Feb 23, 2022

How many months does SSDI back pay?

By law SSDI benefits have a five-month waiting period — they start the sixth full month after the onset date — so you're entitled to 10 months of past-due benefits. Social Security typically pays past-due SSDI in a lump sum within 60 days of the claim being approved.

What is the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

Social Security disability payments are modest At the beginning of 2019, Social Security paid an average monthly disability benefit of about $1,234 to all disabled workers.

How far does SSI back pay go?

Retroactive benefits might go back to the date you first suffered a disability—or up to a year before the day you applied for benefits. For SSI, back pay goes back to the date of your original application for benefits.

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...

Medical Documentation

Your attorney will need to review your medical records for information to substantiate your disability. To do so, he will need information such as:

Other Information

In addition to medical information, your disability attorney will need:

Schedule a Consultation with a Houston Disability Attorney Today

If you’re no longer able to work due to a disabling condition but your claim has been denied, it’s important to get help as soon as possible appealing your denial. M. Stanley Whitehead handles all types of disability denials, including Social Security, Veterans and long term disability benefits.

What to Bring to a Meeting With a Disability Lawyer

Before you go, take a few minutes to write down a record of the places you've worked over the last fifteen years, with approximate dates. If you've worked recently, include details on work you had to miss due to your disability.

Questions to Ask a Potential Disability Lawyer

An initial consultation with a disability lawyer is not, of course, entirely about providing the attorney with information and documents. You're entitled to ask questions of the lawyer to make sure you would feel comfortable working with him or her. Here are a few questions you may want answers to.

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.

Make sure you hire an experienced disability attorney or non-attorney representative to help you win your disability hearing

Monica, in Carlsbad California, asks “I have a disability hearing next month, what do I need to bring to the hearing?”#N#A disability hearing is the third step in the disability process. This means that your initial application was denied, and your reconsideration appeal was denied.

If you lose your disability hearing, you may have to start the entire process over again, or you may never get the disability benefits that you need

A good disability attorney will have knowledge of the rules that govern social security disability and will have years of experience in representing people at disability hearings. Disability attorneys have an excellent understanding of the disability process and know what is needed to win your claim.

What is a contingency fee for disability?

Disability claims are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney is only paid if you are awarded benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA), which administers the SSD program, establishes the fees disability lawyers may collect. So, regardless of which disability attorney ultimately you hire, ...

What happens if you are denied a disability?

If your disability application is denied, there are four levels of appeal: reconsideration, administrative hearing, appeals council, and Federal District Court. Some disability attorneys handle appeals at every level; others will not. While you can certainly have different attorneys handle your case at each level, if you want continuity, ...

What is an administrative hearing?

Administrative hearings allow you to explain to the judge more about your disability and its impact on your ability to work. Not only will you have an opportunity to provide testimony, but the judge and the SSA attorney can ask you questions as well.

Do I Have a Substantial Claim?

In your initial consultation, your lawyer should give a full assessment of your case. In some cases, an attorney will see clearly that you don’t have a solid case and most likely will not be awarded benefits but will neglect to tell you so that they can collect a fee.

Do You Have Specialized Training in Disability Law?

Disability law is a highly specialized field, and a general practitioner attorney will not be as knowledgeable or familiar with the ins and outs of the SSA when handling your case as a disability attorney would.

What are Your Success Rates in Handling a Social Security Disability Appeal?

It’s important to know your disability attorney’s credentials, from their educational background, license to practice law, and experience. When asking about experience, it’s important to get a good idea of success rates, especially if you’re hoping that they will handle your Social Security disability appeal and overturn your rejection.

Will You Be Handling My Case?

It’s not uncommon for a lawyer to pass off their work to another staff member. All of your questioning about your disability lawyer’s qualification and competence are irrelevant if they are passing off the brunt of your case work to a member of their staff who doesn’t meet all of those qualifications.

What Do I Need to Do?

Get a clear idea of what your disability attorney needs from you. Whether they are building your case from the ground up or taking over for your Social Security disability appeal, there could very well be information or documents that are needed in order to best represent your case.

What is Your Fee?

You’re in a vulnerable position. It’s crucial that you have a solid understanding of the financial agreement that you’re making before you commit to a disability lawyer. Disability lawyers work on a contingency fee; if you win, the usual agreement is that their fee is a certain percentage of your back pay benefits (i.e.

Looking for a Disability Attorney in Springfield, MO?

Choose RGG Law. We specialize in disability law. We are members of NOSSCR; we are knowledgeable and experienced. Give yourself the best chance; make sure that a qualified disability attorney is handling your claim. Call RGG Law and schedule your free consultation with one of our disability lawyers.