Social Security Disability Attorney Qualifications and ExpensesChoosing a Disability Attorney or a Disability Representative Individuals who seek to be represented on their disability claim with the social security administration can obtain representation at any time. The representative may be a disability attorney, or a non-attorney representative. A disability attorney is usually an individual who has chosen to specialize in handling social security cases; however, some disability attorneys are not true specialists and only handle the occasional social security case, incorporating such cases into their mix of work which might include personal injury, traffic, and malpractice cases. For the most part, it would not be wise to use such an individual. Social Security Disability Law is reasonably detailed and appearing before a federal administrative law judge at a hearing should only be a task performed by a representative who has a strong knowledge of how disability claims are decided, how SSA makes mistakes on claims, and what types of evidence will be required to persuade a disability examiner or a disability judge to approve a claim. Additionally, a good familiarity with the following will all be necessary to ensure the best possible representation for a claimant: A) The SSA Disablity Evaluation handbook (the blue book), B) How onset, or when a condition began, is determined according to the social security administration (for example, alleged onset, or AOD, as claimed by an applicant versus the established onset of disability, or EOD, that is decided by a disability examiner or administrative law judge after a decision has been rendered), and C) The medical vocational guidelines that guide most of the decisions delivered on claims. Unfortunately, a "part-time" disability lawyer may not be up to the task of delivering such qualifications. A disability representative, as was stated, can also be a non-attorney. Such individuals are often former SSA employees, such as hearing office personnel, social security field office personnel, and former disability examiners (examiners make decisions on disability claims at the disability application and reconsideration appeal levels). These individuals, owing to the fact that they have a personal familiarity with the disability system and how it works, from an insider's perspective, often make excellent representatives. However, not every non-attorney representative is a former employee of the system. And for this reason, claimants may wish to inquire into the credentials of their possible representative, regardless of whether they are an attorney or a non-attorney representative. Continued at: The Cost and Expenses of a Disability Attorney or a Disability Representative About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Disability Attorney North Carolina What does a Social Security Disability Attorney or Representative do for your claim? Getting a Social Security Disability Attorney or Representative for your case How will an attorney help me win disability benefits? Disability Lawyers, Medical Records, and Social Security Hearings What Expenses Will A Social Security Attorney Charge In Addition To The Fee? Can a disability attorney speed up my disability hearing case? Should you get a Disability Lawyer before you File for Disability, or get an answer on your claim? Using a lawyer for a Social Security Disability, SSDI, case Should I have a local Social Security Disability Advocate? Does the disability attorney fee have a cap? If you apply for disability in Mississippi Getting a Disability Lawyer in Mississippi |
