how do i find a good social security lawyer?

These are general rules, almost all of which have exceptions, except I guess the first two:

• Be careful.
• Talk to several lawyers before hiring one.
• Ask questions, and look around the office. ...
• Experience is important. ...
• The lawyer should emphasize Social Security. ...
• Be sure you can get your lawyer by the throat. ...
• Talk to the staff. ...
• Choose a lawyer who appears regularly before the judges in your area. ...

Full Answer

How do I find a Social Security disability lawyer?

Sep 30, 2021 · How to Find the Right Lawyer You can find Social Security disability lawyers in a variety of ways. The internet has plenty of lawyer referral sites. Legal aid clinics and referral services operated...

How does a Social Security Attorney get paid?

The need for a Social Security disability lawyer arises when your initial claim for Social Security Disability is denied. It is at this point that you should consider hiring an attorney to represent your interests. When your initial claim for Social Security disability is denied you will have to go through an appeal process.

Why should I hire a Social Security disability attorney?

Find a local Social Security attorney in your state. Our client reviews, law firm profiles, and live chat make it easy to find the best Social Security lawyer for you.

What should I look for when hiring a disability lawyer?

If you or someone you know is unable to work because of a long-term disability, and who may be eligible to receive social security disability benefits (SSDI) from the government, a social security disability lawyer can help. Use FindLaw to hire a local social security disability attorney near you to help guide you through the claims process ...

What happens if you get denied Social Security?

When your initial claim for Social Security disability is denied you will have to go through an appeal process. People who have legal representation at this stage are often more successful in being approved for benefits than those who decide to go on and represent themselves.

What to do if you are unable to work?

If you are unable to work and are seeking disability benefits, there are many ways that a lawyer can help your claim. First off, the key to a successful case is hard medical evidence and other supporting documentation that proves your condition is so limiting you are unable to work.

How long does a disability last?

To receive disability, the condition must be expected to last a year or longer or it must be expected to culminate in your death. Disability claims can be complicated, and the odds of having a claim approved aren’t always in the favor of the disabled worker. Those who have a disability advocate or a Social Security Disability attorney representing ...

Can an attorney represent you at a hearing?

An attorney can represent you at this hearing and will be able to help you prepare for questioning at the hearing. An attorney will be able to determine what kinds of questions you will be asked and will be able to help you determine the best way to proceed with your claim.

What happens if a claim is denied?

After the claim is denied, you will file a request for reconsideration. Upon the reconsideration review, very few claims are approved. After the second denial, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge.

How long does it take to get backpay?

You cannot receive backpay for more than 12 months before your application date minus the five-month waiting period. However, it can often take several months to have a disability claim approved and those months are added into the count for backpay.

Do disability attorneys get paid?

Disability attorneys and advocates take cases on the contingency basis. This means that your advocate or lawyer isn ’t paid until your claim is approved and you get disability benefits.

Who is the best person to ask for recommendations?

The best people to ask for recommendations are people who have been in a similar situation to the one you are in. These individuals understand what you are facing and will be able to help you find the right advocates and resources.

Do you have to work with a disability lawyer before?

You may not have worked with a disability lawyer before, but you may have a previous relationship with a lawyer of another specialty, such as a real estate or divorce attorney. If you do, it would be a good idea to ask that lawyer for a reference. Most attorneys will be more familiar with other lawyers’ work than the general population, even if they are in different specialties.

What to consider when selecting between lawyers

Now that you have a list of possible lawyers, you need to make a final selection. I have these suggestions. These are general rules, almost all of which have exceptions, except I guess the first two:

Should you use a disability corporation instead of a lawyer?

Being a lawyer, I am biased here, so take this with a grain of salt: A good disability rep from one of those big companies might be better than an attorney that does not handle Social Security Disability. But an experienced lawyer is usually better, for these reasons:

What does a good attorney do?

A good attorney will give you an honest assessment of your case only after reviewing the facts. A good attorney will also admit that he or she probably can't get you approved any faster than you could on your own. Here is a sample question you should ask and a sample answer a good attorney should give you:

Do disability firms keep in touch?

Even though disability firms are busy places, you should be provided with a contact person who you can rely on to answer your questions. The firm should also keep in touch with you on a regular basis. Here are some questions you should ask to get an idea of how your case will be handled:

Does Nolo have a disability license?

Nolo has confirmed that every listed attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with their bar association.