Choosing a Disability Representive

It’s a challenging decision – choosing a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) representative. It is usually not something you’ve done before, so it’s important to set realistic expectations and to understand the ins and outs. But hiring the right disability representative usually means you get through the SSDI process faster and start receiving your benefits sooner. And you don’t have to wait until you are denied SSDI benefits before you hire a representative. The sooner you get help, usually the sooner you will get your award, and the lower the fees (which are set by law) you’ll pay to your representative.

Look for a disability representative who specializes in SSDI and understands the complete SSDI process. SSDI is a national program, with multiple levels involving several different national and state government agencies. In addition, gathering, understanding and explaining vocational and medical information is critical. Of equal importance – they have to be experienced in putting together a well developed, well written claim and presenting your appeal before a judge. Experience is key here.

Get help with filing your initial Social Security Disability Insurance application. Most representatives – especially attorneys – will only accept your disability claim after your disability application is denied twice. Don’t wait; move along. A recent report by the U.S. government indicated that people submitting initial disability applications for SSDI might benefit from using a third-party disability representative. Most SSDI applicants have a representative for their disability appeal, but having a disability representative earlier in the process can significantly improve your chances for getting approved for SSDI, which means quicker access to the SSDI benefits you deserve.

Avoid stressful disability appeal hearings if you can. Be sure to ask if your disability representative will represent you at your hearing. Also, ask if the representative has a successful track record with “on-the-record decisions,” which means you don’t have to attend a hearing and you might get your disability award faster.

Find a disability representative who has experience dealing with your disability. The SSA has specific Disability Impairment Criteria, and your disability representative’s experience and ability to prepare your disability case with the appropriate language and medical records related to your disability are imperative to the success of your disability claim.

Consider all your disability representation options. You shouldn’t select your representative just because he or she is a local lawyer. It’s logical to want someone who has experience before the area SSDI judges, but don’t let a lawyer convince you that he has special influence on the judge because they are both lawyers and live in the same community. Judges appreciate and make rulings based on well-prepared cases, and they approve lots of legitimate cases presented by national and local non-attorney disability advocates. While some attorney disability representatives may reference a superior a national SSA award rate attributed to lawyers overall, you should ask about their own success rate. You do need a local or national disability attorney to represent you if after years of being denied SSDI benefits you decide to sue the SSA in federal court.

Understand the disability claim fees and costs. Every disability representative – attorneys and non-attorneys – have the same fees: 25 percent of the retroactive amount you receive, but no more than $6,000. It’s set by law. If you are approved early and won’t have a retroactive disability benefit payment, the representative will petition the SSA and ask them to approve a smaller fee based on the amount of work they put in on your disability claim. However, many representatives charge for other expenses related to your disability claim (collecting medical records, faxes, postage, photocopying, etc.). Ask in advance, because some times those “little extras” can add up to hundreds of dollars.

Ask how you and your disability representative will communicate. Getting your disability benefits can take a long time, so be sure and ask your disability representative how frequently you will hear from him about your claim and how you can contact him. Find out how often the representative contacts the SSA to check the status of your disability claim or confirm materials and forms have been received. If you hear responses like: “It’s a wait and see situation,” or “When the SSA is ready, they’ll send a letter,” or “You don’t have to call me, I’ll call you when I hear something,” you may want consider a different disability representative who has a higher regard for you, your life, your health and your money.

Find Out if You Qualify for SSDI

Complete our FREE and easy Social Security disability benefits evaluation now to determine if you qualify for SSDI.

Get Help with Your SSDI Claim

A recent report by the federal government indicated that people submitting an initial SSDI application might benefit from using a third-party disabilityrepresentative.