lawyer who wins highest number of cases dealing with social security disability

by Stephon Ledner Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 6 min read

Do lawyers get paid for winning a Social Security disability case?

Find a local Social Security Disability attorney in your state. Our client reviews, law firm profiles, and live chat make it easy to find the best Social Security Disability lawyer for you. ... The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional ...

Which is the best disability law firm in the US?

In a press release, one particular disability lawyer claimed to have a 100 percent success rate in representing Social Security Disability claims. Is this even possible? I suppose it may be, though it would seem to be extremely unlikely.

How much does a disability lawyer cost?

Social Security disability lawyers are paid a percentage of back-due benefits they win for clients. In our survey, the average amount lawyers received was $3,750. ... In almost all cases, disability attorneys are allowed to charge a fee only if they win the case. (This type of arrangement is called a contingency fee.) ... More than half of ...

Should I hire a lawyer for my disability case?

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 ...

Who makes the final decision on Social Security disability?

the Disability Determination Services (DDS)

An applicant can receive payments for up to 6 months while the Disability Determination Services (DDS) reviews the claim and makes the final decision.

How do you beat Social Security disability?

Top Ways to Increase Chances of Winning Disability Claim

Ensure That Your Application is Complete. ...
Keep Accurate and Complete Medical Documentation. ...
Maintain a Good Relationship With Your Physician(s) ...
Keep Close Tabs on the Status of Your Claim. ...
Follow up on all Treatment Recommendations.

What are the odds of winning a SSDI appeal?

Unfortunately, your odds are even lower for getting your benefits approved on the first appeal—about 12%. If you move on to the next level of appeal, which involves a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ), your chances for approval increase significantly—more than 55%.Jun 24, 2021

What percentage of Social Security disability claims are approved?

According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the average acceptance rate of initial applications is 22 percent, and approximately 63 percent of SSDI applications are denied. Understanding why these applications are not approved may help you be successful if you need to apply for benefits.

What should you not say in a disability interview?

The following five statements should never be announced at your disability hearing.

“I can't work because no one will hire me.” ...
“I don't know why I'm here. ...
“I don't do chores because my significant other, friend or family member does them.” ...
“I have never used drugs or alcohol in my life.”

More items...

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Oct 17, 2014

How long can you have Social Security disability?

To put it in the simplest terms, Social Security Disability benefits can remain in effect for as long as you are disabled or until you reach the age of 65. Once you reach the age of 65, Social Security Disability benefits stop and retirement benefits kick in.Feb 9, 2022

Can an ALJ decision be overturned?

Can an ALJ Decision Be Overturned? The only way to overturn a decision made by an ALJ is to file an appeal with the Appeals Council.

Why is it taking so long for SSDI reconsideration?

Because there are so many applications that are filed each year, it takes time for the SSA to process and review each one. This review time can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months on average. Most people have their initial application denied. It doesn't mean that your case is over and that you should give up.Jan 30, 2020

How many times can you appeal SSI decision?

There is really no limit to the number of times you can apply for benefits or appeal your disability claim. However, there are a variety of other factors to consider when deciding whether to apply or appeal a denied claim. For many applicants who have received a claim denial, an appeal is the best course of action.Nov 26, 2019

What is the hardest state to get disability?

Oklahoma

Oklahoma is the hardest state to get for Social Security disability. This state has an SSDI approval rate of only 33.4% in 2020 and also had the worst approval rate in 2019 with 34.6% of SSDI applications approved. Alaska had the second-worst approval rate, with 35.3% of applications approved in 2020 and 36.2% in 2019.

Why are most disability claims denied?

The most basic fact of the SSA disability process is simply that most cases will be denied, often because there wasn't enough medical evidence to prove the case, forcing claimants to go through the disability appeal process. Disability claimants should never resign themselves to giving up on an SSDI or SSI claim.

What is the most approved disability?

1. Arthritis. Arthritis and other musculoskeletal disabilities are the most commonly approved conditions for disability benefits. If you are unable to walk due to arthritis, or unable to perform dexterous movements like typing or writing, you will qualify.Dec 16, 2021

What is the phone number for Social Security Disability?

You can also call on their phone – 865-337-8474. You can also fill in your contact information and a representative from the firm will get in touch with you. Besides helping with Social Security Disability Insurance, the firm also helps their low-income clients apply for Supplemental Security Income. 6.

What is Citizens Disability?

Citizens Disability is the country’s premier Social Security Disability organisation. The team at Citizens Disability is led a group of experienced and knowledgeable professionals focused on delivering the best for their clients. The firm deals with all issues related to Social Security Disability – from filing an initial claim right through to the appeals process.

How to contact Myler Disability?

You can call the firm at (800) 245-1430 and get a free consultation. The firm also offers a home or hospital consultation for those who are unable to visit them. 2. Myler Disability. Myler Disability is headquartered in Utah and has a wide network for Social Security Disability attorneys spread across the US.

Where is Myler Disability located?

Myler Disability is headquartered in Utah and has a wide network for Social Security Disability attorneys spread across the US. Myler Disability has a team of more than 40 in-house attorneys over and above their network of hundreds of attorneys across the country.

What is Premier Disability Services?

Premier Disability Services LLC is a full-serviceSocial Security Disability advocacy firm. The firm employs a staff of more than 200 people to help deal with all types of Social Security Disability issues.

What is heard and Smith?

Heard & Smith comes with more than 30 years of rich experience and specializes in helping the elderly and the disabled. The firm practices in the areas of Social Security Disability, Supplemental Security Income as well as other areas such as Veteran’s Disability, Probate, Estate Planning, etc.

Where is Jim Adler?

Jim Adler & Associates is a Texas law firm that was established more than 40 years ago. The firm has offices in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Channel view. Jim Adler & Associates was founded in 1973 by Jim “The Texas Hammer” Adler and now has a team of 14 Social Security Disability Attorneys, Personal Injury Lawyers and Accident attorneys. The firm also has a legal support staff 250 people.

Lawyers' Fees as a Percentage of Disability Awards

Before we get to the survey results, a bit of background on how lawyers' fees are handled in SSDI and SSI cases: In almost all cases, disability attorneys are allowed to charge a fee only if they win the case. (This type of arrangement is called a contingency fee.) If you don't get benefits, the lawyer doesn't get paid.

What Readers' Lawyers Were Paid

Even though disability attorneys' fees are usually capped at $6,000, nearly seven in ten of our readers (68%) told us their attorneys received less than that amount. The overall average was $3,750—quite a bit lower than the cap. For those whose initial application was approved, the average was even lower: $3,100.

When Disability Lawyers Don't Charge Anything

Aside from the fact that lawyers generally won't receive a fee if their clients don't get an award for Social Security disability, a few of our readers' attorneys didn't take any payment even when they won the case.

Other Costs

In addition to lawyers' fees, applicants are usually responsible for paying their attorneys for the out-of-pocket costs of pursuing the case, such as any charges for copying medical and work records.

Are Lawyers Worth the Cost?

It isn't easy to get Social Security disability benefits, and the application process can be complicated and lengthy. But our survey showed that having a lawyer nearly doubled applicants' chances of getting an award.

Can a disability attorney take overpayment cases?

If you are looking for an attorney to represent you in your Social Security overpayment case, you will find that many disability attorneys do not take overpayment cases. The reason has to do with Social Security's rules about how attorneys get paid.

What happens if you lose your Social Security case?

That is, if you lose your case, you will owe your attorney $3,000 in fees (if Social Security approves the request), and you will still owe the overpayment. On the other hand, if Social Security says you owe a $160,000 overpayment, and your attorney will charge you a $3,000 retainer to begin working on it, then you might decide ...

What is legal aid?

Legal Aid attorneys work for non-profit law firms whose goal is to provide free legal advice and representation to low-income individuals in civil cases. (A civil case is any kind of case that does not involve a crime. Disability cases are civil cases.) Legal Aid attorneys may be more likely to take overpayment cases than some disability lawyers, ...

What is retainer fee?

A retainer represents an estimate of the number of hours it might take the attorney to work on your case. For example, if an attorney thought it would take him 15 hours to handle your overpayment case, and his usual rate is $200 per hour, then he might decide to charge you a $3,000 retainer fee before beginning work on your case (15 hours x $200).

How long can I work with SSDI?

To be considered disabled for SSI benefits, you must meet the same conditions as SSDI benefits — you have not been able to work for the last 12 months or will be unable to work for the next 12 months or longer. SSI benefits provide cash to meet basic needs like food, clothing and housing.

Why are SSDI applications denied?

Many applications for SSDI benefits or SSI benefits are denied because they do not have enough medical evidence to prove your disability claim. One of the main jobs of your attorney while preparing for the hearing with the ALJ is to gather all this necessary documentation.

What are the differences between SSDI and SSI?

There are some key differences in SSI benefits: 1 SSI benefits are paid out of general tax revenue and not out of Social Security taxes. 2 SSI benefits are designed to help individuals with a disability who have limited or no income and who have no assets above a certain level. 3 To be considered disabled for SSI benefits, you must meet the same conditions as SSDI benefits — you have not been able to work for the last 12 months or will be unable to work for the next 12 months or longer. 4 SSI benefits provide cash to meet basic needs like food, clothing and housing. 5 You can earn up to $750 a month on SSI benefits as an individual and up to $1,125 as a couple, but funds will be subtracted from your benefits if they meet the SSI definition of income. So if you were earning $200 a month in income as an individual, that amount would be subtracted from the $750 benefit total, and you would receive $550 in SSI benefits. 6 If you are eligible for SSI benefits, you may also be eligible for SSDI benefits. If you think you qualify for both benefits, this is an ideal situation where an attorney can help you determine how to proceed.

How do I get SSDI?

To qualify for SSDI benefits, you need to have a disability or a condition that satisfies the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) definition of disability: 1 You need to have worked in a job where you paid taxes for Social Security. 2 In 2021, you need to have obtained 40 work credits in total and 20 over the last 10 years. In 2021, you gain one work credit for every $1,470 you earned from wages or income from self-employment. There are also special conditions for younger disabled individuals who may not have had time to obtain the necessary work credits. 3 You need to prove that your disability or your illness has prevented you from working for either the past 12 months or will prevent you from working for 12 months or longer. 4 You also need to prove that you are not meeting the Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) of income per month. In 2021, that is $1,310. If you are earning more than that amount in a month, even if you have a disability, you are not eligible for SSDI benefits. 5 No SSDI benefits are paid for partial disabilities or disabilities that last less than 12 months.

How long can you work if you are disabled?

You need to prove that your disability or your illness has prevented you from working for either the past 12 months or will prevent you from working for 12 months or longer .

Can I get SSDI if I have a disability?

If you are earning more than that amount in a month, even if you have a disability, you are not eligible for SSDI benefits. No SSDI benefits are paid for partial disabilities or disabilities that last less than 12 months. There are some key differences in SSI benefits:

What is the difference between SSI and Social Security?

There are some key differences in SSI benefits: SSI benefits are paid out of general tax revenue and not out of Social Security taxes. SSI benefits are designed to help individuals with a disability who have limited or no income and who have no assets above a certain level.