Part I: Should I Hire a Lawyer to File My Social Security Disability Claim?
Published on January 20th, 2021 by Eric Slepian
What Will it Cost to Hire an Attorney to File for SSDI in Phoenix, AZ?
Often, individuals who become disabled are in difficult financial situations largely due to their disability. That is why the first question many people ask when they are considering hiring an attorney to help file for SSDI in Phoenix, AZ is, “How much will it cost?”
There are limitations on how much an attorney can charge when it comes to Social Security Disability cases. Your lawyer will receive a portion of your back payments from Social Security, up to 25% of what you receive, with a maximum cap of $6,000.
Hiring a Social Security Disability Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ is Often Money Well Spent
While you may be thinking that you would rather keep 100% of your backpay for yourself, it is important to note that only about 35% of disability claims are approved by individuals who choose to proceed without the benefit of a Social Security lawyer. So, despite the cost, it is money well spent because you have a much better chance of having your claim approved when you work with a knowledgeable Social Security disability lawyer in Phoenix, AZ.
While the severity of your disability does not affect the amount of money you receive, the date that you became disabled does. Judges often try to move your “date of disability onset” to a more recent date, which will reduce the amount of money you receive. A Social Security disability lawyer can help ensure you receive benefits going back to the date you originally became disabled, which means you will receive more backpay.
How Will a Social Security Attorney in Phoenix, AZ Help?
A knowledgeable attorney will develop a “theory” of why you are disabled according to Social Security disability law – either due to limitations caused by your maximum exertion level which prevent you from working, non-exertional limitations (such as difficulty concentrating) which prevent you from being able to do your job, or because your condition meets one of Social Security’s disability listings.
For instance, if you are suffering from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), your Social Security attorney in Phoenix, AZ could help assess whether you meet the criteria for the COPD listing or the CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) listing. If your medical records indicate poor results on breathing tests or poor ejection fraction measurements (blood flow through the heart), your attorney should be able to tell whether you have a good chance of meeting the requirements for either – or both – listings.
No matter what type of disability you are dealing with, if your medical records are insufficient, your attorney can request that the Social Security Administration schedule, and pay, for an examination with a doctor – or a psychologist if applicable. Making sure you have adequate documentation and complete medical records will give you a better chance of winning your claim at the initial application stage.
If you’d like to learn more about how a dedicated Social Security disability attorney can help you win your disability claim, check back here for Part II of the series.
