who do i talk to about social security lawyer

Retaining the services of a social security disability lawyer is your best option when you are going through the process of pursuing compensation for your disability. Contact the experts at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates in Michigan at 866-MICH-LAW for your free consultation today.

Full Answer

How do I choose a social security lawyer?

Be sure to identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and know their way around the system. Make sure the lawyer you choose has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding. Before even looking for a lawyer, know the basics of Social Security.

Do I need an attorney to file a social security claim?

Every person has the right to be represented by an attorney or other representative while pursuing a claim or other rights under Titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act.

How can a Social Security disability lawyer help my application?

On the initial application, your lawyer can offer advice on your " alleged onset date " of disability, argue that your condition meets one of the listed impairments in Social Security's "blue book," and help you focus on the facts that will be most persuasive to Social Security.

Who can represent you in a social security case?

Representing Social Security Claimants. Every person has the right to be represented by an attorney or other representative while pursuing a claim or other rights under titles II, XVI, and XVIII of the Social Security Act.

Is there a class action lawsuit against Social Security Administration?

A federal court has authorized a class action lawsuit against the Social Security Administration (SSA) on behalf of people with visual impairments who require communications from SSA to be in an accessible format in order to participate in the Social Security or SSI programs.

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.

Who can help me with my Social Security?

1-800-772-1213You can call our National 800 Number at 1-800-772-1213 between 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter Wednesdays through Fridays or later in the day.

What is the monthly amount for Social Security disability?

SSDI payments range on average between $800 and $1,800 per month. The maximum benefit you could receive in 2020 is $3,011 per month. The SSA has an online benefits calculator that you can use to obtain an estimate of your monthly benefits.

What is the hardest state to get disability?

OklahomaOklahoma 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.

How can I increase my chances of getting disability?

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Getting Disability BenefitsFile Your Claim as Soon as Possible. ... Make an Appeal within 60 Days. ... Provide Full Details of Medical Treatment. ... Provide Proof of Recent Treatment. ... Report your Symptoms Accurately. ... Provide Medical Evidence. ... Provide Details of your Work History.More items...•

Can you be disqualified from Social Security?

You Earn Too Much Income For SSDI, which is the benefit program for workers who have paid into the Social Security system over multiple years, one of the most basic reasons you could be denied benefits is that, when you apply, you are working above the limit where it is considered "substantial gainful activity" (SGA).

What is the average Social Security benefit at age 62?

$2,364At age 62: $2,364. At age 65: $2,993. At age 66: $3,240. At age 70: $4,194.

What is the maximum Social Security benefit?

The maximum benefit depends on the age you retire. For example, if you retire at full retirement age in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $3,345. However, if you retire at age 62 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $2,364. If you retire at age 70 in 2022, your maximum benefit would be $4,194.

How do they determine how much disability you get?

To calculate how much you would receive as your disability benefit, SSA uses the average amount you've earned per month over a period of your adult years, adjusted for inflation. To simplify this formula here, just enter your typical annual income. This income will be adjusted to estimate wage growth over your career.

How far does SSI back pay go?

Retroactive benefits might go back to the date you first suffered a disability—or up to a year before the day you applied for benefits. For SSI, back pay goes back to the date of your original application for benefits.

What other benefits can I get with Social Security Disability?

If you get SSI, you also may be able to get other benefits, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). For more information about SSI, read Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000). After you receive disability benefits for 24 months, you'll be eligible for Medicare.

What are 4 hidden disabilities?

The four most common types of hidden disabilities are:Autoimmune Diseases. In most people, the body's immune system protects them from invaders like bacteria and viruses. ... Mental Health Conditions. ... Neurological Disorders. ... Chronic Pain and Fatigue Disorders.

What are the top 10 disabilities?

What Are the Top 10 Disabilities?Nervous System and Sense Organs. ... Intellectual Disabilities. ... Circulatory System. ... Schizophrenic and Other Psychotic Disorders. ... Other Mental Disorders. ... Injuries. ... Organic Mental Disorders. ... Neoplasms. Finally, the 10th top disability comes from neoplasms.More items...

Does everyone get turned down the first time for disability?

No, the Social Security Administration (SSA) does not deny everyone the first time they apply. However, it does initially deny nearly two-thirds of all Social Security disability applications.

Which is harder to get SSI or SSDI?

According to government statistics for applications filed in 2018, many people receive technical denials: 45% for SSDI applicants and 18% for SSI. In that same year, approval rates at the application level based on medical eligibility alone were 41% for SSDI and 37% for SSI.

When you think you won't be able to work for a long time, have a free consultation with a disability lawyer

When you think you won't be able to work for a long time, have a free consultation with a disability lawyer.

Why Hire a Disability Attorney?

The most important reason to hire an attorney to help with your disability case is that your chances of being approved are significantly increased.

When Should I Call a Lawyer?

The general rule is "the earlier, the better." If you're even considering filing for disability, you should call a disability attorney for a free consultation. Your attorney can help you evaluate the strength of your case and assist you with your initial application.

First steps

The first step in opening a disability claim is to complete an application for benefits with the Social Security Administration.

What do I do if my claim is denied?

It is not unusual for a disability claim to be rejected upon its initial review: Data shows that only about 35% of claimants are approved for disability when they first apply.

How can a social security lawyer help?

Many disability claimants give up after they receive a denial, which is unfortunate, as it is not unusual for a claim to be initially rejected. When a disability claim is allowed to progress to the point where it is heard before an administrative law judge, it is much more likely that it will be approved.

Can I afford a Social Security Disability Lawyer?

When you are unable to work due to an injury or accident, the idea of managing the expense of hiring a lawyer may seem impossible.

The takeaway

Retaining the services of a social security disability lawyer is your best option when you are going through the process of pursuing compensation for your disability. Contact the experts at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates in Michigan at 1-866-MICH LAW (1-866-642-4529) for your free consultation today.

FREE CONSULTATION NO FEES UNTIL WE WIN

There is no obligation for a case evaluation & no fee is charged unless a recovery is made.

What to do if you have an attorney on disability?

If an attorney represented you at an earlier stage in your disability case, you should consider contacting that person to see if he or she can help you with your overpayment. The attorney will already be familiar with you and your disability case, and might be more willing to help you than an attorney who did not have a relationship with you.

How long does it take for a Social Security attorney to return money?

If he spends less than 15 hours, he will return money from your retainer to you at the end of the case. Attorneys in Social Security overpayment cases are conscious that their clients are usually lower-income individuals due to their disability, and they know that it might be hard for the client to pay the attorney's bill. ...

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 does Social Security consider when deciding a fee?

Social Security will consider a number of factors when deciding whether a particular fee is fair, including the outcome of the case and the level of skill that was required to handle the case. Social Security can approve the attorney's fee petition request, disapprove it, or modify the fee to a lower amount. Getting Social Security ...

Where do attorneys hold their retainers?

Attorneys must hold their retainers in special bank accounts called client trust accounts. After the attorney has completed all of the work on your case, he will submit a petition to Social Security to review the fee agreement and approve his fee. Once Social Security approves the fee (or modifies it), the attorney can take money to pay ...

Do disability attorneys overpay Social Security?

Getting Social Security to approve the fee is an additional step that some disability attorneys do not want to bother with, and so they just decide that they will not do overpayment cases.

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.

How long can you wait to receive back pay from SSA?

You cannot receive backpay for more than 12 months before your application date minus the five-month waiting period.

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.

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.

Who is more likely to have disability claims approved?

A study conducted by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determined that individuals who were represented by an attorney or an advocate were three times more likely to have their disability claim approved than those who represent themselves.

Is the Blue Book written for disability?

The Blue Book can be difficult to understand as it is written for medical professionals or disability advocates. 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.

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.