When a major medical condition prevents you from working or significantly reduces your earning capacity, disability benefits may make life a lot easier for you and your family.
Approval can be tough at times, and you may require the services of an attorney, but you also understand that not just any lawyer will suffice. You’ll want to hire a disability attorney who can assist you throughout the process, including any required appeals.
Expertise and Experience
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Disability attorneys maintain a distinct concentration and devote considerable effort to honing their knowledge and expertise in specific areas of disability law. They are familiar with the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) rules and regulations and can assist you immediately on disability issues.
Additionally, the ideal attorney will have gone through the process with other clients. They are familiar with how to handle claims similar to yours and the kind of obstacles you will face during the disability review.
A qualified attorney will gladly give you with a concise overview of his or her track record, including approval rates throughout the initial review and appeals stages, as well as the number of cases won for full vs partial benefits.
Availability and Commitment
You require legal representation that appreciates the gravity of your demand for benefits. He or she must be committed to providing superior service and have the time necessary to give you and your claim the attention they require to succeed. In other words, you need an attorney who can and will stay with you throughout the process, regardless of how long or convoluted it becomes.
Many disability lawyers are affiliated with a law firm and so have colleagues who can address your problems in the event that your attorney is unavailable. A staff of attorneys, legal assistants, and paralegals is available to take your calls, respond to your questions, and provide prompt assistance. Your attorney may not always be available to speak directly with you. You should, however, always be able to contact with someone at the firm you hire or receive a fast response to messages left.
Honesty and Professionalism
From when they first answer your call to the conclusion of your free disability consultation, the way you are handled reflects the professionalism and courtesy of the whole team of a disability clinic. While law companies that specialize in disability claims are famously busy, you should expect to receive prompt service, courteous contact, and informed guidance throughout the process.
Additionally, the attorney you are contemplating employing should be candid and truthful with you, making no exaggerated claims about the likelihood of winning your case. Rather than that, you should be informed of disability claim data, including the number of claims that must be appealed before a final eligibility determination is reached. Additionally, you should be informed of a realistic timeline for a disability case, which can take a year or more to complete the initial review, and much longer if an appeal is required.
Obtaining Assistance with a Social Security Claim
Although legal assistance is not required to file a disability claim, you may choose to think about getting a free consultation with a disability attorney even before you begin your benefits application. A skilled Social Security attorney can advise you on the best course of action in your particular situation and help you understand how the disability review will go.