If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that prevents you from working, you may be wondering how to apply for Social Security Disability benefits. Perhaps you’ve already done the essential measures to get things started. However, enlisting the assistance of a Social Security Attorney or Disability Advocate is always a wise option, no matter at what step you are in the process.
Read this article to understand what you should know if you are considering hiring a disability lawyer.
How Can a Lawyer Help You Get Your Claim Approved?
When determining whether or not to employ an attorney, think about how an attorney can help you improve your chances of getting the claim approved. In addition, you should think about how familiar a disability attorney is with the application process. After all, as suggested by maurydisabilitylaw, a disability lawyer has received specialized training and must maintain ongoing education to keep up with changing laws and regulations.
Because this is their legal focus, many attorneys have gone through the process numerous times. They’ve assisted several people going through a similar procedure, so they know how it works and why claims are dismissed. They also know what it takes to get a claim approved, so they’ll be able to help you get yours started.
You can visit www.disabilitylawyertoronto.ca if you are looking for the best disability lawyers.
Apart from this, here are a few things you must know before hiring a disability lawyer.
1. When Should You Consult an Attorney?
“The earlier, the better” is the general norm. First, however, you should contact a disability attorney for a free consultation if you’re even thinking about claiming for disability. Your lawyer can help you assess the strength of your case and guide you through the first application process.
While some people prefer to go through this stage without legal assistance, having a lawyer on your side increases your chances of being authorized. If hiring an attorney to assist with your initial application is a good idea, hiring one after you’ve been denied should be a no-brainer. Again, a disability attorney can improve your chances of success.
They can also move your case through the system more quickly, especially if your medical condition is terminal or your financial situation is particularly dire (for example, you are homeless or your house is being foreclosed on). Furthermore, your lawyer can ask the judge for an “on-the-record” (OTR) judgment, which means you could get benefits without having to go to court.
2. How Your Case Will Be Handled?
If you decide to hire a disability attorney to represent you, you should know how your case will be handled. Knowing what the expected outcome will be is a sensible consideration. For instance, you could want to inquire about the stages they follow. Or how related processes operate in practice, as well as the length of each step.
You might inquire if there will be any court submissions. Is there a legal action involved? Is it necessary for them to order papers in addition to writing briefs? Will there be hearings, mediations, investigations, or trials? You can also benefit from asking some critical questions because you’ll get a clearer picture of what you agree to during the redressal process.
3. Fee and Charges
One of the most critical questions is the money involved. Money is, without a doubt, always on our minds. Therefore, you must follow up and have a thorough understanding of the company’s fee structure. If they charge a flat cost, you should inquire. Do they bill by the hour? Is it a contingency fee or a payment schedule?
Once they’ve explained how they charge for their services in detail, make sure they address any remaining questions you might have. When it comes to individuals that work on a contingency fee basis, for example, you might find it helpful to ask them to clarify how things work in detail. Perhaps you’d want a sample form of the agreement so you can understand what you’ll be getting if you hire them.
It is your responsibility to determine the exact amount you will pay. You may be required to spend money in advance in rare instances. In other circumstances, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a reduction in your disability payment. You should also determine if you will be required to pay if you lose your case, as well as how much you would be required to pay if you do.
4. Method Of Communication
When you’re working on a case, it’s critical to stay in touch. Constant updates will assist you in preparing for the impending court case. It can be tough to communicate with your attorney if they do not keep in touch with you regularly. It’s a good idea to ask whether it’s a worry of yours for them to check-in, as well as how often they’ll do so.
You must be aware of the possibilities available to you. Is it possible to view your docs online, for example? Will they send you paper copies through someone, or will they offer them to you after the conclusion of your case?
Conclusion
The ability to identify the individual you are employing and learn what the procedure will include in its entirety are essential factors to consider when deciding how you want to pursue your claim.
Nonetheless, this is just a rough outline. As you go through the hiring process, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a slew of other issues and questions that need to be addressed. It’s critical to ask these questions to a disability lawyer at the time.
When a qualified disability lawyer responds to your queries, you can be confident that they will not be offended or irritated. On the other hand, most lawyers will be pleased to see that you took the time to find the right person to handle your case.
