DOES ANYONE HAVE AN IDEA ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL LEGAL FEES FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY REPRESENTATION?

[OREOLU]

Hi Friends,

Are you a Pwp and on SSD? If you use a lawyer,when you filed for your benefit in the USA,kindly let me know what it cost you to hire a lawyer.Thanks.

[ccobroussard]

D's with PD at 45 in 2005. Not able to work in 2012. Lost job in November 2012 and filed for said that month. Was approved in March of 2013 and received 1st check in July of 2013. No lawyer needed

[OREOLU in reply to ccobroussard]

Hi cocobroussard, thank you for your insight.

[MBAnderson]

My experience is, you don't need a lawyer. My opinion is any legal fee is unnecessary. If you make an appointment and go to a SS office or if you can reach them on the phone, I have found them very helpful. For example, I had a phone consultation with them and they calculated the best time for me to begin drawing it and it was a calculation that I trusted.

Try doing it yourself 1st.

[OREOLU in reply to MBAnderson]

Hi MBAnderson, thanks for your input. Much appreciation.

[Gobbsofjoy]

I did not use a lawyer. There are non profits that are skilled depending on your location and unique physical symptoms. Try calling around to the non profit orgs before you try the lawyer industry.

[OREOLU in reply to Gobbsofjoy]

Hi Gobbsofjoy, thanks for your support. I will call them.

[cb6403]

Most of big lawfirms in New York will wor the case for a split with no up front retainer. .

[OREOLU in reply to cb6403]

cb6403, thank you for your input.

[wifeofparky]

The amount they are paid is fixed by the government. They cannot overcharge you. I completed the forms for my husband with no lawyer. He was approved within a few months.

[Hidden in reply to wifeofparky]

I personally have not tried to collect it (either with or without a lawyer), but I found this (I think it is inline what wifeofparky said):

"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. The amount of your backpay depends on your onset date of disability, when you filed for benefits, and whether you're applying for SSDI or SSI."

at:

nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia...

[OREOLU in reply to wifeofparky]

Hi wifeoeparky, thank you for your support.

[Kolya44]

When I applied for disability, I did not pay the lawyers. If they accept your case they will take percentage of your first Disability payment. So go for it! The payment is retroactive from date of onset of disability.

[wifeofparky in reply to Kolya44]

I think it is retroactive to date of application

[OREOLU in reply to Kolya44]

Hi Kolya44, what percentage was taken please?

[OREOLU]

I will like to thank everyone for your overwhelming response. God bless.

[JerMan22]

At the time that I applied, I was a mess and could barely walk, talk, or function. No meds had worked for me. My wife helped me pick a law firm but she has her own medical issues so we weren't able to competently fill out the paperwork ourselves. This was about 5 years ago and I'm doing much better now. But for those in poor condition who need help, going through a lawyer can work, although it can be expensive. Here's what one lawyer's web site says about it:

"When you sign a fee agreement with a Social Security disability lawyer, the fee is limited to 25% of the past-due benefits you are awarded, up to a maximum of $6,000. ... The attorney will be paid only out of your past-due benefits, or "backpay." If no back-dated benefits are awarded, the attorney will not receive a fee."

Which is exactly what happened. After about 5 months I received about $9k and the law firm got $3k. I can't recommend the law firm that I went with, because all the work was done by paralegals who seemed to make several mistakes. Yet, by using a law firm that specializes in SSD, things did actually go fairly quickly. I do recommend that you pick a law firm that you feel comfortable with so that you can keep track of their progress and see what paperwork is being submitted for you.

[Kwinholt]

Hi there, I applied on my own for SSDI and just looked on line yesterday and found that I was denied, which I hear a lot of people are first time around. I don’t know their reasoning until I get the letter in the mail , to know if I need to appeal or look into legal help. I have been out of work since 10/2019 and what I hear they want you to be on disability for a year to be approved. I’m trying not to feel defeated because I’m not asking for something I haven’t worked hard for . Sometimes it’s hard to be hopeful but tomorrow is a new day. ❤️ Karen

[OREOLU in reply to Kwinholt]

Hi Kwinholt, I am sorry that you were denied,but you are not so sure on what basis,you were denied. I learnt that people usually get denied for lack of enough medical records from doctors. Well ,there is always another day,like you said.Good luck. So you will have to appeal.Good luck next time.

[Erniediaz1018]

It took me two years to get approved, the attorney got $6000. The attorney didn’t do crap 💩. Do it yourself, just make sure the Dr or Drs fill out Residual functional capacity form. You will find specific ones for Parkinson’s online which you can print and take to your neurologist and primary care doctor, they should fill it out fairly quickly (sometimes a day or two). I had my neurologist and my primary fill one out although you only need neurologist, 2 is much better. I did all collecting of my medical records and submitted to Soc sec personally that is what I recommend you do and you’ll get your money. It was very difficult for me but if I had known to do this from the start things would’ve gone easier. I wish you the best.

[OREOLU in reply to Erniediaz1018]

Hi Erniediaz1018. Thanks for your input.

[Kwinholt in reply to Erniediaz1018]

Thanks Ernie. Yes I do did a lot myself as well. I submitted my medical record too but I will look for that specific paper on PD. My neuro is 100% behind me . When I get my denial letter in the mail , I will see what their reasons for the denial . It might be bc I haven’t been on disability for a whole year yet , so that wouldn’t be an appeal , it would be a resubmit but we will see. Thank you for your input I appreciate it. Karen

[OptimusPrime]

There are many good and of course some not so good articles and videos online by help groups and law firms that explain the process and offer tips when applying. Worth your time to watch several to get an idea of what to expect...just search for "how to get your social security disability approved fast" for example and start scanning...

[OREOLU in reply to OptimusPrime]

Hi OptimusPrime. Thank you for your support. I will research well online.