Should You Hire an Attorney for Your Social Security Disability Claim?
Yes! Applying for Social Security disability benefits can be an intimidating and often confusing process—especially when you’re already dealing with serious health issues. In his recent video, Andrew Kinney, a Social Security disability attorney with Hoglund Law Offices, explains why getting legal help can make a meaningful difference in your claim.
With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of hearings under his belt, Mr. Kinney offers a candid look at what Social Security attorneys do for Social Security clients and why their help can be vitally important.
Getting Started: When Should I Apply For Social Security Disability and SSISSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are disabled, blind, or age 65 or older. Blind or disabled children may also get SSI. Benefits?
Your Social Security law firm can help you decide when to file for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. Mr. Kinney explains that part of the initial evaluation includes discussing your medical problems, your work history, and how any part-time work could impact your claim for benefits. If you’re working more than part-time, depending on your gross monthly income, it may be too soon to apply.
When it is time to apply for Social Security benefits, your law firm should help you apply online. We do this at Hoglund Law Offices.
How Does my Social Security Disability Attorney Get Paid?
Social Security Disability attorneys typically work under a contingency fee, meaning they only get paid if you win. The attorney fee comes out of your back pay.
Hiring someone to help you apply for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits claim is an important decision. Some non-law firms can represent people. You have a right to hire licensed attorneys at a law firm to help you.
Who Should Help You with Your Social Security Hearing?
Mr. Kinney notes that a good Social Security hearing attorney can make the process less stressful and confusing. Talking to a judge and explaining your medical problems can cause some people to overlook important hearing details.
An experienced Social Security Disability attorney can explain:
- How Social Security Disability law works,
- What your judge will be like,
- What will happen at your hearing and why,
- The types of questions you may be asked, and
- How your judge may evaluate your Social Security benefits claim.
This level of preparation helps you stay calm, organized, and understood. It also helps ensure your judge receives a clear and accurate picture of how your medical issues limit you.
Why Medical Evidence Matters
Social Security heavily weighs your treatment records. Mr. Kinney stresses the importance of seeing specialists and following up with appropriate tests, such as MRIs for back issues, because these details can be the difference between an approval or denial. While your Social Security claim is pending, your Social Security law firm can help you understand what kind of medical treatment evidence Social Security may expect.
Ongoing Guidance Throughout the Process
The Social Security process can take from 18 months to three years or more depending on where you live. During this time, a Social Security law firm can answer your legal questions, help reduce anxiety, and advise you about any challenges you may have getting Social Security benefits. As Mr. Kinney points out, it is best to work as long as you can with your doctors’ advice. When full-time work is no longer medically possible, good legal guidance can help you understand how to qualify for Social Security benefits.
Choose a Firm You Trust
Whether you choose a lawyer or a qualified non-attorney advocate, Mr. Kinney encourages you to ask about the firm’s Social Security hearing experience overall and who may be in your hearing with you.
When comparing law firms, ask each law firms if it commits lawyers to do only Social Security hearings. Ideally, experienced Social Security hearing lawyers in a dedicated Social Security Disability law practice spend half their time or more doing at least 3 or more hearings per week.
Also, some Social Security Disability law firms charge “out-of-pocket costs” for expenses like ordering medical records. Ask. Hoglund Law Offices does not charge you for ordering your medical records.
Look at the firm’s reviews. Are they “cookie cutter,” or do they appear to reflect the personal experience of each client? Choose advocates you can trust. Good legal advice should help you understand (1) how Social Security Disability laws work and (2) what your realistic chances of approval are.
Our lawyers at Hoglund Law Offices help clients across the country get approved for Social Security Disability and SSI benefits. No matter where you live, you can call us at 888-373-8806.
