From our FAQ section
| My doctor says I will never be able to do my usual occupation and I don’t know anything else; shouldn’t that be enough for me to win? |
The SSA will determine if you can still do your past relevant work by examining all jobs you have done for the past 15 years. But, even if you cannot do your past work, you may still not win if the SSA determines that you should be able to do “other work” considering your age, education, and work experience. The SSA is responsible for providing evidence demonstrating that “other work” exists in significant numbers in the national economy that you can do.
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Social Security Disability Law Office, P.A.Attorney, Robert C. Gray |
Do I need to hire an attorney?
Many people will initially apply for benefits by themselves but want to hire an attorney after their initial application has been denied. Attorneys experienced in these matters can provide many services including:
- Gathering critical medical records for submission
- Corresponding with your health care providers to obtain information necessary to win that may not be contained within your medical file
- Reviewing your file before the Hearing to be sure all important documents are there
- Requesting Reconsideration of your claim, a Hearing or an Appeals Council review
- Helping you and all critical witnesses prepare their testimony for the Hearing
- Properly presenting your case to the Administrative Law Judge following all appropriate rules of law and evidence
- Cross-examining vocational or medical experts that may appear at the Hearing at the request of the SSA
- Properly explaining all of your options once a decision has been made
The attorney will charge no fees up front and shall only collect a “fee” if your case is won. The fee will be no more than 25% of your past-due benefits or $6,000, whichever is less. “Past-due benefits” are those money benefits that you have not received dating back to the date the SSA determines you were eligible for benefits.
However, you should recognize that win or lose, you may be required to reimburse your attorney any out of pocket “costs” incurred in the handling of your claim.