How much does it cost to hire a Social Security Disability attorney in California?
Individuals who provide representation services on Social Security Disability and SSI disability claims (either a disability attorney or a non attorney representative) are not paid upfront. Quite the reverse, they are paid on contingency -- meaning a claimant does not pay a fee until a case has been won...regardless of how long the case takes (and this, unfortunately, can take years).
Resources:
1. The cost to hire a disability lawyer
2. Max fee for a disability lawyer
3. Cost and Expenses of a Disability lawyer or Disability Representative
4. Does Social Security pay the Disability Attorney fee?
This, of course, poses a tremendous advantage for disability claimants because it allows virtually any disability claimant to find representation, provided, of course, that their case has merit.
How much does it cost to hire an attorney or a non attorney representative? Representatives are paid by receiving a percentage of a claimant's disability back pay and this percentage is currently twenty-five percent. In other words, if a claimant's case is won and the claimant's back pay amounts to $20,000, the attorney or non attorney who handled the claim would be entitled to receive $5000 as the fee.
Is a representative's fee capped at a certain limit? Yes, it is. Though an attorney or non attorney rep can receive 21% of a disability claimant's backpay, the total fee cannot exceed a maximum amount. Currently, the maximum allowable fee is $6000.
Can an attorney or non attorney representative receive any compensation other than the fee that is specified by the social security administration? Yes, and this will vary from representative to representative. Many reps will charge for the cost of gathering a claimant's medical records and for the cost of obtaining statements from a claimant's doctors (yes, doctors do charge for this, and some doctors charge quite a bit).
Such costs are completely normal and valid, of course, and the representative is simply advancing expenses upfront with the understanding that the costs will be repaid when representation has been concluded (note: unlike the fee, which is paid ONLY if a case is won, reimbursement for the cost of records is often required win or lose---thankfully, the cost of records does not usually exceed two hundred dollars).
What an attorney or non attorney advocate may decide to charge for other expenses should be clearly spelled out in the fee agreement. For this reason, a person who is pursuing social security or SSI disability benefits should read their fee agreement before signing with a particular rep. Because when it comes to incidentals, not everyone charges the same thing. Remember, though: the fee itself is non-negotiable as this is dictated by thesocial security administration.
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?
Filing for disability in California
How do I Apply for Disability Benefits in California
How long should you wait before you apply for disability?
SSD and SSI applications in California
What do you do if your California disability claim is denied?
Do you file for your children when you apply for disability in California?
Should you apply for disability in California after a denial?
How long does a disability case take in California
After you file for disability in California
Filing for disability in California and your condition
Filing a disability claim in California, long filing process
The California disability process
Do I need to be disabled a year in California to get disability?
The Social Security Disability process in California
California Disability determination process
Disability approval criteria in California
California Social Security Disability decisions
Steps to Win Social Security Disability benefits in California
Questions about disability in California
How much can you make in California and still apply for disability?
California Social Security Back Pay
Can Disability benefits be garnished in California?
Disability two year medicare waiting period in California
California review of Social Security Disability claim
California Social Security Disability status
VA disability and California Social Security Disability
Can a Congressman in California help on a disability case
How do examiners make disability decisions in California?
Applying for disability benefits in California
How long does disability take in California?
How long does it take to get a decision on a disability case in California?
Why do disability claims take so long in California?
How Long Will It Take To Get My Disability Decision If I Appeal in California?
Disability claims in California with certain conditions
Applying For Disability On the Basis of Back Pain in California
Filing for Disability with Fibromyalgia in California
Social Security Disability For Mental Illness in California
Winning California disability
Will a lawyer improve the chance to win disability in California?
Getting approved for disability in California
Winning disability in California
California Disability Lawyers and Representation
Getting a disability attorney in California
Finding a new disability attorney in California
Applying for SSI in California
Filing for SSI disability in California
SSI disability denied in California
Are SSI claims in California denied more than SSDI claims?
How to apply for SSI Disability in California
Doctors, medical records, and medical exams
Doctors and applying for disability in California
Can you be turned down for disability in California if your doctor says you are disabled?
Disability hearings in California
Disability Hearings in California
California quick disability hearing
How do I win my Social Security Disability Hearing in California?
How long does it take to get a disability hearing in California?
Disability denials in California
Disability Denied in California
If a disability claim is denied in California
Appealing a Social Security Disability denial in California
If you get denied Social Security Disability in California
Why are Most Disability Cases Denied in California?
Getting approved or denied for disability in California
Disability appeals in California
How do you file a disability appeal in California?
How many disability appeals do you get in California?
If your California disability appeal is denied, can you get another appeal?
If your disability reconsideration is denied in California
Filing a reconsideration appeal in California
Why was I denied disability in California?
Qualifying for disability in California
Qualifying for disability in California
Qualify for SSD in California
Will I Qualify For Disability Benefits in California?
Disability lawyers in California
Using a Social Security Disability Attorney in California
Cost of a California disability attorney
Why do disability lawyers in California sometimes not take cases?
Hiring a Disability Lawyer in California
Social Security Disability Attorney Fees In California
How do Disability Lawyers in California get paid their fees?
Should you get a disability lawyer before you get denied in California?
Lawyer for a disability hearing in California
Why was I denied disability in California?
| |
