How Social Security Attorney Fees Work

Here’s a question: How long would you be able to get by without your usual paycheck after a serious illness or injury puts you out of work? Six months? One year? When and if disability becomes long-term or permanent, one thing is for sure,  you will need additional, regular income that you can count on to pay the bills and cover everyday living expenses.

Disability benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) may be the answer, and since your application is so important to you and your family,  hiring a disability advocate or attorney may be the best decision you can make.

Disability Attorneys

When it comes to Social Security Disability Insurance claims attorneys know that money is tight, bills are stacking up and you need help. This is the reason that most attorneys work on contingency, which means they charge nothing up front. This makes it much easier for already struggling disability applicants to afford the legal help they need and are entitled to. Additionally, disability lawyers only receive payment when a client wins a disability claim, and even then, they are only entitled to a certain percentage or amount of any back or past-due benefits a client receives from the Social Security Administration.

The Contingency Fee Agreement

The basic concept of the contingency fee agreement is that the client is out little or no upfront expenses; you as a client do not pay legal fees unless and until you win, and then the lawyer receives a percentage of your recovery as his or her fee. Prior to approving any legal fees, the Social Security Administration will review the fee agreement to ensure it complies with any and all regulations.

Social Security Administration Fee Agreement Regulations

The SSA has a set cap or limit on legal fees that an attorney can charge his/her client. This cap is 25 percent, but cannot exceed  $6,000, of any back benefits due to the applicant at the time he or she is approved for disability. You are protected as the Social Security Administration ensures strict enforcement of contingency agreements.

How Legal Fees are Paid

Disability attorneys file for their legal fees directly with the Social Security Administration, not by sending their clients’ bills. Fees are paid directly by the Social Security Administration as well, and not until all fee agreements are reviewed and approved. Fees are paid out of the back benefits you’re due at the time of disability approval, so if you’re not awarded past-due benefits, then the attorney won’t be entitled to fees. This motivates attorneys to get the Social Security Administration to accurately recognize the onset date of your disability. his date is so important since the accurate assignment of onset date can influence the total amount of past-due benefits.

Eric Brown Will Handle Your Disability Claim

Filing for Social Security Benefits is something you can do on your own, but the problem is that over 65% of initial applications get denied. You have to have the correct paperwork and full documentation so you can stand out from the crowd. If you are missing one doctor’s form or one signature, you can easily be denied. We are here to help fill in all the missing pieces and to make sure you get the benefits you deserve. CLICK HERE to contact Eric.