| The process of applying for Social Security Disability | | | | the attorney about certain matters, and worry when |
| can be confusing and overwhelming. Many applicants | | | | other employees offer to help. In reality, it is the |
| are turning to disability lawyers to handle their claims. | | | | employees that do much of the preparation necessary |
| There are several reasons for this. First, these | | | | to prepare a disability claim. The best disability firms will |
| attorneys are experts in the Social Security field and | | | | assign you to a worker who handles much of this |
| know exactly how to present your case. They know | | | | preparation. If you have a question, he or she will |
| what Social Security looks for and the documents that | | | | usually take your calls and answer your questions, and |
| will be needed. Second, disability lawyers handle the | | | | will be familiar with your situation. If you speak with a |
| mountains of paperwork required to process a claim, | | | | different receptionist every time you call and no one |
| as well as the phone calls and letters to and from | | | | seems to communicate about your case with each |
| Social Security. And finally, those who hire disability | | | | other, find another disability lawyer. |
| attorneys have their chances of being approved jump | | | | Tip #4: Status information. |
| dramatically. Some disability firms have success rates | | | | The best disability lawyers make it easy for you to |
| as high as 90%. | | | | find out the status of your claim. Some send letters or |
| So if you have decided to hire a disability lawyer but | | | | emails to let you know what is happening with your |
| don't know what to look for, here are five tips. | | | | claim, and others may give you a phone call. However, |
| Tip #1: Immediate, professional assistance. | | | | do not be alarmed if you do not hear from your |
| If you call a disability center and the person answering | | | | disability lawyer for months at a time. Some points in |
| the call puts you off or takes a message, that may | | | | the Social Security process, such as waiting for a |
| mean that the firm is short on employees, or there is a | | | | hearing, are times when even lawyers may be finished |
| computer or electronics issue. Or it may mean that | | | | with preparations and have nothing to do but wait. This |
| your business is not a priority. In either case, look for a | | | | is the way the system is set up, and not the attorney's |
| disability firm that is friendly and helpful, answering any | | | | doing. But find a disability attorney who adequately |
| questions you may have in a professional manner. | | | | informs you on the status of your claim. |
| Tip #2: Acceptance of your case no matter where | | | | Tip #5: Size. |
| you are in the process. | | | | Many applicants disagree here. Some say it is better |
| Many disability lawyers turn down your claim until you | | | | to hire a disability attorney who has a small practice, |
| have been denied once or twice. This may be | | | | because you will get more individualized attention and |
| because the hearing level has the highest chance of | | | | the lawyer will work harder on your claim. If this is your |
| success, and they don't want to waste time waiting | | | | opinion, be careful not to hire a disability attorney who |
| with you. Choose a disability firm that will accept your | | | | has little experience or who specializes in other types |
| case from the very beginning, or even have them do | | | | of law. In my opinion, it is best to find a disability lawyer |
| your application for you if it is offered. This may result | | | | who has plenty of Social Security disability experience. |
| in your claim being approved sooner, as those who go | | | | These lawyers often have many, many clients, |
| unrepresented sometimes make mistakes that cost | | | | because of referrals and word of mouth. Just make |
| them valuable time. | | | | sure they follow the four tips above. |
| Tip #3: Get on a first name basis. | | | | Wherever you are in the process of Social Security |
| Some clients believe that they should deal directly with | | | | disability, and finding an attorney, best of luck. |