What do I have to do to have the best chance of winning Social Security Disability benefits?
Get an experienced Social Security Disability Attorney to represent you. Do not give up! Never quit! Appeal, Appeal, Appeal, Appeal!!!
|
How do I know if I'm disabled?
Under the law, Social Security regards you as disabled if you cannot perform work because of a serious mental or physical medical condition. In deciding whether you are disabled, Social Security looks at your medical restrictions, education, and work experience. Your disability must be serious enough to keep you from working for at least a year.
|
Should you have an attorney handle your Social Security Disability claim?
Under the law, you have the right to have an attorney represent you before the Social Security Administration (SSA). Although there are no guarantees, your chances of success increase because the attorney can assist you in gathering and presenting the proper medical and employment evidence and witnesses. The proper presentation of evidence and witnesses is often what is needed to win.
|
How are legal fees determined?
There is no attorney fee unless the case is won. Under the law, an attorney may charge 25% of the recovered back benefit amount up to the maximum fee of $6,000.00. For example, if the Social Security Administration awards a back benefit amount of $16,000.00, the attorney fee would be $4,000.00*. If the back benefit award is $25,000.00, the attorney fee would be $6,000.00*. The attorney fee is automatically withheld from the back benefit amount and paid directly to your attorney. There is no attorney fee on the monthly future payments.
*The client is responsible for reimbursing the attorney for out-of-pocket expenses such as long distance telephone charges, photocopying, medical records retrieval, mileage etc. However, most expenses are not required to be reimbursed until after the case is finished.
|
How do I apply for Social Security Disability Benefits?
You should apply at your local Social Security Administration (SSA) Office. You should not wait to apply. If you believe that you cannot work, apply as soon as possible. Generally, you call the local SSA Office in order to set up an appointment. During this phone call, ask what information you should bring with you to the appointment. As best you can, make a list with your Doctors' addresses and phone numbers, along with your previous employers' addresses and phone numbers. Also, you will need to get your certified birth certificate and some proof of wages like your last W-2 or paystub. Take these lists and papers with you to your appointment. Whether or not you can make these lists or get these papers, go to your appointment anyway, the SSA Office will help you get what you need. Also, it is alright to see an attorney before this appointment.
|
If I win, do I get Medicare?
Once you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits, you will become eligible for Medicare after 29 months from your onset of disability date.
|
|