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