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