Following an injury, you may find yourself grappling with unprecedented financial losses. If you want to file for Social Security Disability benefits, you need to consider all relevant ways to get things right. You can file an application as soon as you are diagnosed with the disability, but before that, you need to consider legal representation. You can click here to talk to an experienced attorney. What does it take to hire a Social Security Disability attorney in Arizona? We take a look at the basics.
The contingency fee
Like personal injury lawyers, Social Security Disability attorneys also work what is known as the contingency arrangement. When you are applying for SSDI (Social Security disability) benefits or need SSI (Supplemental Security Income), you can contact an attorney, and they wouldn’t demand a fee until you have won. If you get the benefits, the lawyer takes a share discussed earlier.
That said, it is still necessary that you get into a written fee agreement with the attorney, which is then submitted to Social Security. If the arrangement is approved, the lawyer gets their share of the backpay you get. The structure or the threshold may vary, but the lawyer cannot charge anything they want. The fee shouldn’t exceed 25% of your back pay or $6,000 – whatever is the lower one.
The legal costs
There are other expenses that the lawyer may have to incur while fighting your case. These are related to copying, postage, and other details, and getting records from different institutions can take time. Some medical facilities and institutions may charge a fee, which may add to the costs. These costs are usually the client’s liability, and therefore, the attorney may demand that. If the lawyer is taking an advance, there will be a trust account where the money is placed, and the lawyer must inform you as and when they use the money. Anything that’s left over is yours to get back.
Final word
No matter how long the case continues, Social Security Disability attorneys cannot demand a fee from their clients. This works as an excellent alternative for anyone who needs help and doesn’t want to deal with everything alone. You should, however, do your homework and find a reliable lawyer who has experience with Social Security Disability matters and can guide you further through the process. Get a lawyer before you apply for the benefits.
