what happens if after getting an attorney for disability

by Darrell Schmeler DDS 10 min read

If a Disability attorney handled your case, their fee will be deducted by the Social Security Administration out of your back payment. The SSA

Social Security Administration

The United States Social Security Administration is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivors' benefits. To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social …

will pay your attorney directly. It’s also important to point out Social Security limits the fees charged by Disability attorneys to 25 percent of the back pay or $6,000, whichever is less.

When a good disability attorney or advocate gets a case, he or she reviews the applicant's file carefully to determine whether any additional tests or medical records are necessary. The representative will then work with the applicant to get the necessary records and submit them on time to the SSA.

Full Answer

What happens to my lawyer after I get approved for disability?

Feb 09, 2022 · When you first hire your Social Security disability attorney or advocate, you'll need to sign a medical privacy release that allows access to your medical records. The attorney or advocate will usually pay for these records for you until your case ends, at which time the firm will bill you for the cost.

What does a Social Security disability lawyer do?

However, a qualified disability advocate or attorney charges $0 for legal assistance unless you win benefits. People who file with legal assistance are nearly 3x more likely to win benefits. In fact, those who apply with legal assistance through this website typically receive $10,000 in lump-sum backpay as well as monthly disability. Those who apply on their own without legal …

What happens after a Social Security disability hearing?

A professional disability representative – attorney or non-attorney disability expert – can help with these matters. If you have been approved for benefits, we encourage you to visit your local Field Office to ensure you understand the complex calculations that determine how much you will receive per month, and to ensure you are paid these ...

What happens if you don’t receive Social Security disability back pay?

Feb 15, 2022 · How long after being approved for disability do you get your money? Unfortunately, Social Security disability claimants typically have to wait one to two months after approval before they will see their first Social Security Disability monthly payment. In most cases, it will take even longer for you to receive your back pay.

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How long after I receive my award letter will I get my money?

You can usually expect your back pay and first monthly check to start 30-90 days after the award letter. As far as insurance is concerned, if you were approved for SSI, you will receive If approved for SSI, will receive Medicaid benefits automatically depending on the state you live in.Feb 1, 2022

What happens after fully favorable decision?

If you receive a fully favorable decision, the SSA approved your application with the onset date of disability that you originally noted. You will then start receiving disability benefits as soon as your elimination period or waiting period has ended.

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.

What is the most an attorney can charge for disability?

First, 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 much back pay will I get from SSDI?

If your claim is approved 24 months after application, your will be entitled to 12 months of Back Pay (even though a 24 month waiting period less a 5 month waiting period is 19 months, the limit for Back Pay is 12 months).

How is Social Security disability back pay calculated?

For SSDI, it's five months after your disability onset date. By using your date your entitlement, you should be able to calculate the amount of your SSDI back pay....Examples of Back Payment Calculations.SSDI BenefitsSSDI Back Pay Due (Monthly Payment x Months between EOD and Approval Date MINUS Wait Period)$7,0006 more rows

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 conditions automatically qualify you for disability?

What Conditions Automatically Qualify You for Disability?Musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., bone, joint injuries, skeletal spine injuries)Special senses and speech (e.g., visual disorders, blindness)Respiratory disorders (e.g., chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma)More items...

How can I survive waiting on disability?

How can I stay afloat while waiting for Social Security benefits?Tip #1: Work While Waiting For Social Security Approval.Tip #2: Apply for Other Types of Support While Waiting For Disability.Tip #3: Find Other Sources of Support or Financial Assistance.BEWARE:More items...•Mar 2, 2021

What is Social Security back pay?

Back pay is an unofficial but widely used term for what the Social Security Administration (SSA) calls “past-due benefits,” payments to cover a period in which you were medically qualified for disability benefits but had not yet been approved to collect them.

What is the difference between SSI and SSDI?

The major difference is that SSI determination is based on age/disability and limited income and resources, whereas SSDI determination is based on disability and work credits. In addition, in most states, an SSI recipient will automatically qualify for health care coverage through Medicaid.

Is Social Security Disability taxable?

The IRS states that your Social Security Disability Insurance benefits may become taxable when one-half of your benefits, plus all other income, exceeds an income threshold based on your tax filing status: Single, head of household, qualifying widow(er), and married filing separately taxpayers: $25,000.Nov 2, 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...

When do you get your first Social Security check?

According to the Social Security Administration, claimants who win Social Security disability approval get their first payment during the sixth full month after the date their disability began . For example, if your disability started on June 1, you should get your first check in December – six full months after the condition’s onset.

Is disability insurance difficult?

For many Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) applicants, the claim process can be challenging. But upon receiving your Social Security disability approval, it’s important to have a good understanding of next steps. From knowing when your benefits will begin to knowing what types of medical coverage you may receive, ...

Does Medicare cover older people?

The federal government manages Medicare to specifically cover individuals aged 65 and older. In addition, Medicare also provides healthcare coverage for younger people with qualifying disabilities.

What happens if you get denied disability?

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your disability claim at the initial application and reconsideration level, you likely requested a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). In these cases, you will receive a notice of decision in the mail. The notice of decision lets you know whether the ALJ ruled in your favor and ordered the SSA to pay you disability benefits.

How much can I make on SSDI in 2020?

In 2020, that means you cannot make more than $1,260 per month. Earn more than that, and you may lose benefits.

What is notice of decision?

The notice of decision lets you know whether the ALJ ruled in your favor and ordered the SSA to pay you disability benefits. There are two types of favorable decisions – fully favorable or partially favorable. Both decisions mean you were approved benefits. The only difference is the decision on when your disability began.

What is notice of award?

The notice of award answers most of the initial questions people have about their disability benefits, such as: The amount of any past-due benefits, or disability back pay, you are entitled to (this will be paid in one lump sum payment)

What is a continuing disability review?

Continuing disability review s, or CDRs, are required of all SSDI recipients. Though they sound scary, most of the time they are not cause for alarm. The purpose of a CDR is to allow the SSA to determine whether your disability still prevents you from working. More than 90-percent of SSDI recipients are approved for continued benefits ...

How long does it take for a Social Security disability to be approved?

The notice of award arrives on average one to three months after the SSA or ALJ approves your social security disability claims though it can take longer depending on your SSA field office’s caseload.

Is a worker's compensation award subject to offset?

Benefit offsets. Under certain circumstances, such as if you were awarded worker’s compensation following a workplace accident, your award is subject to offset. Although the SSA should automatically account for any offset, SSA workers are only human, so things occasionally slip by.

How do I get my Social Security disability check?

At some point after your claim is approved, you will receive a Social Security Disability award letter. This letter should answer most of your questions, including: 1 The amount of your monthly Disability check. 2 What day of the month to expect to receive your monthly check. 3 The amount you will receive in back pay. 4 The date you can expect to receive your back pay.

What is back payment?

Back payments are past due benefits. That is, the money the Social Security Administration (SSA) would have started to pay you if they had approved your application immediately after you filed. Back payments are owed to you from the date of your application to the date that the SSA approved you for Disability benefits.

How long can you get retroactive unemployment benefits?

These are the benefits that you were eligible for and would have received if you had applied for benefits earlier. You are entitled to receive a maximum of 12 months of retroactive benefits prior to your application date. Retroactive pay is not owed to everyone and is not affected by the backlog of Disability cases.

What is retroactive pay?

Retroactive benefits are payments that cover the months you were unable to work before you applied for Social Security Disability benefits. They are based upon the day your Disability began (called your “onset date”) and the date that you filed an application for benefits.

How long do you have to wait to collect Social Security?

There is a mandatory five-month waiting period before you can start collecting benefits. Basically, the SSA eliminates your first five months of benefits. Now, if you have been waiting a long time for benefits already – more than five months – then you won’t have to wait any longer. That time has already been served.

What is an award letter for disability?

An “Award Letter” will spell out the details. At some point after your claim is approved, you will receive a Social Security Disability award letter. This letter should answer most of your questions, including: The amount of your monthly Disability check. What day of the month to expect to receive your monthly check.

How long does it take to get paid for SSDI?

If you were approved only for SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), your file will then be sent to a payment processing center and you should start to receive payments within a month (assuming the judge agreed your onset date is more than five months before the approval date).

How long does it take to appeal an ALJ decision?

The Notice of Award letter gives you the deadline for appealing an ALJ decision: 60 days after you receive the hearing notice.

What does an approval letter tell you?

APPROVAL LETTER. After a decision is made you will get a letter. Your online account will also tell you the decision. Usually the online account updates more quickly, but not always. The letter will usually tell you the conditions you were approved for and how often you can expect medical reviews.

How long does it take to get a back pay check?

You can expect your back pay and first monthly check to start 30-90 days after the award letter. It is usually quicker for initial applications and reconsiderations, and slower for appeals. If it takes longer than 90 days you can Contact Your Congressperson for help.

Do you have to go to an SSI interview if you are not poor?

If you are not poor, there is no need to go to an SSI interview. You can request a form to waive it, or you can just go to it. Theoretically, skipping the interview speeds things up. But sometimes they lose the waiver form so it really just slows things down.

What does "partially favorable" mean?

Partially favorable decisions usually mean less backpay. But, what the hell, you are still approved, so life is good. If you are not happy with you Established Onset Date, you have a right to appeal it. However, almost no one is crazy enough to do this, because it reopens the whole case.

How much does a lawyer charge for Social Security?

Your lawyer’s fees will be explained in the contract you signed with your lawyer. According to Social Security regulations, they are typically up to $6,000 or 25% of your backpay. If your case had multiple appeals (denied at a hearing and continued appealing), these rules no longer apply, and fees will likely be higher.

Can I get SSDI if my kids live with me?

If you are on SSDI, make sure to sign your kids up to receive benefits. Even if your kids do not live with you, they are still eligible. The parent of your children may be eligible as well. Contact your local office.

What is the adult child benefit?

This is called “ Adult Child Benefits ” In some cases, it is a higher check or better health insurance for the child. More things that can raise or lower your SSDI Check: Good News and Bad News About Your SSDI Check. If you have little or no income, sometimes they give you an “immediate SSI” payment.

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Notice of Decision

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If the Social Security Administration (SSA) denied your disability claimat the initial application and reconsideration level, you likely requested a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). In these cases, you will receive a notice of decision in the mail. The notice of decision lets you know whether the ALJ ruled in your fav…
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Notice of Award

  • The notice of award arrives on average one to three months after the SSA or ALJ approves your social security disability claims though it can take longer depending on your SSA field office’s caseload. The notice of award answers most of the initial questions people have about their disability benefits, such as: 1. Your disability onset date 2. The amount of disability benefits awa…
See more on thegoodlawgroup.com

Pre-Effectuation Review Conference

  • If you receive social security income (SSI) as well as social security disability insurance, you are required to have a pre-effectuation review conference, or PERC. A PERC ensures you still meet SSI’s financial eligibility guidelines. A PERC is not required if you only receive social security disability insurance benefits. To learn more, watch our short video.
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Continuing Disability Review

  • Continuing disability reviews, or CDRs, are required of all SSDI recipients. Though they sound scary, most of the time they are not cause for alarm. The purpose of a CDR is to allow the SSA to determine whether your disability still prevents you from working. More than 90-percent of SSDI recipients are approved for continued benefits following a CDR. When the SSA approves your SS…
See more on thegoodlawgroup.com

Benefit Offsets

  • Under certain circumstances, such as if you were awarded worker’s compensation following a workplace accident, your award is subject to offset. Although the SSA should automatically account for any offset, SSA workers are only human, so things occasionally slip by. Or, you may have forgotten to notify the SSA that you received other benefits subject to offset. You must ma…
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Keep Your Information up-to-date

  • As an SSDI recipient, you must inform the SSA about changes that could potentially affect your eligibility for benefits. This includes changes in your medical condition and income. This is information you will be asked about during your CDRs, but don’t wait until the next scheduled CDR to notify the SSA of any changes; you are required to notify them immediately. Note: Although eli…
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