I have not applied, what do I need to do?

Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov or visit your local Social Security District Office. Apply for both Title 2 SSDIB and Title 16 SSI. If they say you are not entitled to one or both, make them put it in writing.

What should I do after I apply?

Continue treating with your doctors or begin treating with a doctor immediately. If you have no health insurance and cannot afford medical treatment, go to a medical clinic that will treat you at low or no cost. Keep your attorney informed of your medical treatment. Medical reports documenting your physical and/or mental condition are essential to proving disability.

I have applied and been DENIED one or more times, now what?

You have sixty (60) days after the first denial to file for a Request for Reconsideration or after the second denial to file a Request for Hearing. Any time would be appropriate to enlist the aid of an attorney. The earlier an attorney gets involved, the better prepared your claim will be for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge.

Why use an Attorney?

• Experience has shown Claimants represented by attorneys are more likely to win than claimants that are unrepresented.
• An experienced attorney knows best how to prepare your claim.
• Using an attorney ensures professional handling of your claim.

How is an Attorney paid?

Our attorneys are paid only after they have been successful in obtaining your past due Social Security benefits. After your claim is approved, the Social Security Administration withholds from your past benefits 25% or $5,300.00, whichever is the smaller amount, and sends the money directly to your attorney as the fee. You pay no money directly to our attorneys. If we are unsuccessful before the Social Security Administration, sometimes we will appeal to the Federal Court. If so, there are additional attorney fees, but only if we are successful in obtaining your benefits by appealing to Federal Court.

What does an experienced Attorney as your legal representative do?

• Thoroughly evaluates your claim.
• Communicates with the Social Security Administration.
• With your assistance, prepares and submits all necessary paperwork and medical records.
• Timely files any appeal up to and including the Social Security Appeals Council. In some cases, may appeal to Federal Court.
• Prepares you for and accompanies you to the Social Security hearing.
• Ensures you receive all benefits to which you are entitled.

Will hiring an attorney speed up my claim?

No, and any attorney who says otherwise is not correct. Hiring an experienced attorney does ensure that deadlines are timely met and paperwork is timely submitted.