Do you intend to file for disability benefits soon? If so, you should beware that the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) application process can sometimes be complicated.
It may call for you to gather information, fill out paperwork, and attend hearings, among other things. Fortunately, you do not have to finish it by yourself.
You can manage the process with the help of a Social Security Disability attorney. However, you might hesitate to work with a disability attorney because you think you cannot afford one.
But this issue may be more trivial than you think. Read this post to understand the benefits of working with an SSDI attorney and how you can afford one.
How Are SSDI Attorneys Paid?
It is normal to worry that the costs of hiring a Social Security Disability attorney outweigh the benefits.
Typically, there is no guarantee that you will obtain disability benefits when you file an SSDI application. For this reason, you may think it is unnecessary to risk paying an attorney who cannot ethically guarantee you a particular outcome.
But this is nothing to worry about. When you hire a typical disability lawyer, you will sign a contingency fee agreement. That means they will not bill you for their services until they get you approved for disability benefits.
A disability attorney typically charges 25% of your past due benefits or $7,200, whichever is less. In this case, the most important thing to remember is that if you do not get paid, neither do they.
Legal Fees Included in Your Claim
The Social Security Administration (SSA) will pay your Social Security Disability attorney from your back pay if you sign an agreement with them. Back pay is the benefits you accumulated between the time application and when the SSA approved you for benefits.
So, you need not worry about paying your Social Security Disability attorney out of pocket. The SSA may add legal expenses to your claim, in which case they would pay your lawyer directly.
Additional Expenses
Remember that additional costs could be associated with your costs which the contingency fee agreement does not cover. Such costs include:
- The cost of obtaining medical records
- Expert witness fees
- Associated out-of-pocket costs
The SSA will occasionally refund these costs. However, since it is not guaranteed, you should speak with your Social Security Disability attorney.
For instance, one disability lawyer could add them to your contingency costs. Another would demand upfront payment or deduct it from your back pay.
Get Connected with A Social Security Disability Attorney
Hopefully, the information presented in this post has eased the hesitation you may have had about working with a Social Security Disability attorney.
You may feel more confident in your choice to engage a lawyer if you know that you usually will not have to pay them until they successfully get disability compensation for you.
Besides, finding a disability lawyer does not have to be complicated. Legal Giant is a lawyer referral service that links individuals to experienced disability lawyers.
Our partner attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to pay unless you get the disability benefits you need.
Contact us at 833-641-1650 to speak to a Social Security Disability attorney near you.
