There’s no denying that the SSDI program is meant to help individuals in need. Of course, not everyone qualifies for the benefits, and to add to the woes, there are stringent rules, regulations, and criteria. If you paid into the SSDI program and want to claim benefits, you should consider consulting a Rogers social security disability attorney. Here are some things you need to know about engaging an attorney.
The role of disability attorneys
A disability attorney dons many hats for their clients. Once you have an attorney, they will do the following –
- Review your claim
- Understand why your SSDI claim was denied
- Come up with a strategy to approach the case
- Determine gaps in the legal paperwork and fix the same
- Find medical evidence
- Prepare for the appeal
- Represent you at the hearing
- Take further steps if your claim is not reconsidered
Finding the right lawyer
Not all attorneys deal with SSDI claims, and you need someone who is experienced and known. When you hire a disability attorney, ask questions like –
- What is your success rate? How often do you take up SSDI claims in your practice?
- What can you tell me about the challenges in my case?
- Will you work personally on my initial application (or appeal)?
- How can I communicate with you? Do you have a team to take up client questions?
- What would be your suggestions before I go for the appeal?
Beware of promises
While disability attorneys certainly ease things for clients, they cannot entirely change the outcome. In fact, they cannot speed up the process, which can be considerably long. If you are new to working with SSDI lawyers, make sure that you don’t fall for tall promises. Beware of law firms that claim huge things or offer assurances that seem too good to be true.
Check the fee
Most disability attorneys work like personal injury lawyers and take a contingency fee. The fee is a share of the back pay that you get, but unlike injury lawyers, disability attorneys don’t get to take as much as they want. The standard contingency fee is 25%, and there is a cap to what they make from the amount you get.
Finally, do talk to your attorney about the reasons why your SSDI claim was denied. Keep in mind that most denials are related to paperwork, lack of credible information, and gaps in the formalities. Ensure that your lawyer explains all details.
