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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY
AND SSI CLAIMS
YOUR NEED FOR REPRESENTATION
Am I disabled?
You are disabled if you are not capable of
performing work in the national economy due to a mental or
physical disability. Your disability must be severe enough to
prevent you from working for at least 12 months. You ability to
work depends on the extent of your impairments, taking into
account your education and work experience.
Do I need an attorney?
You have the right to have an attorney
represent you in your Social Security case. While it is not
essential in all cases, statistics show that people represented
by attorneys have been more successful more often than people
without an attorney.
What will an attorney do for me?
Make sure your paperwork is filled out accurately, every
step of the way.
Gather medical and vocational evidence.
Prepare you and your witnesses to testify at your hearing.
Help you identify the friends, family members, and
professionals who should testify for you, and help them
provide information to support your case.
Object to improper testimony at your hearing.
Talk to your doctor to make sure your medical records
accurately reflect the true extent of your disability.
Seek a waiver of the time limits, if necessary, and ask to
re-open previous applications.
Submit a written brief to the administrative law judge.
Take your case to the Appeals Council, if needed, and then
to federal court.
What does an attorney cost?
Generally, an attorney will charge one-fourth
of your back benefits, up to a maximum attorney fee of $4,000.
There is no attorney fee paid unless you win your case. I
also ask my clients to pay certain expenses, such as the cost of
obtaining a copy of the medical record if the treating doctor or
hospital charges for such things.
When should I contact an attorney?
Some attorneys will help you right from the start, preparing
your initial application. No matter how far you have gone with
your application, you are wise to at least ask for a free
consultation with an attorney.
How do I select an attorney?
If you live in southeastern Michigan, the
Lansing area, Toledo, or Ann Arbor, contact
me for a free consultation. Otherwise, I suggest you
contact NOSSCR for a referral, the National Organization of
Social Security Claimants Representatives. Their toll-free
number is 1-800-431-2804, or call (201) 444-1415, or visit their
web site at http://www.nosscr.org/
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