This information may help claimants with representation, as well as claimants who are not represented by an attorney or non attorney representative. Understanding how the Social Security Disability system works can make the difference between winning or not winning the continuing ssd or ssi disability benefits and backpay to which a person is entitled. |
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Finding someone to handle your disability case is fairly simple. You can try the directory on this website, call your state's bar association, or do what most individuals do which is simply to rely on an informed referral or use the yellow pages. However, finding the "right advocate" to handle your case, whether that individual is a social security disability attorney, or an experienced non attorney representative, is a different matter, entirely. Should you choose a disability representative based on their years of experience? Perhaps. But there are certainly other factors to consider as well. If the ssd rep you choose is an attorney, you may wish to learn whether or not the attorney specializes in ssd and ssi cases, or only does them occasionally on top of a burgeoning caseload of traffic, personal injury and Social security disability cases. In most instances, it's best to select a lawyer who specializes. Without a doubt, a lawyer who specializes in disability claims will have more experience and capability than a lawyer who simply dabbles in ssd. If the ssd representative you speak with is a non lawyer, you may wish to inquire as to their background. Are they formerly a claims representative for the social security administration or formerly a Specialist a.k.a. Examiner for Disability Determination Services. If so, you can generally conclude that they possess a strong knowledge of the disability system as well as an insider's perspective. However, there are a number of non attorney representatives who are equally qualified without this "insiders advantage". For example, a representative who is employed by a national or statewide agency that handles nothing but ssd and ssi claims might be exceptionally qualified based on experience and expertise. Additionally, a rep who is a former health professional, such as a nurse, might have particularly savvy in handling disability claims. In the end, though, who you should choose simply boils down to who you feel comfortable with--- In other words, who you trust to handle what may be the most important issue you'll ever have to face: winning ssd or ssi benefits. Trust, of course, is something that is generally accrued (earned); therefore, when it comes to choosing a lawyer or non attorney to handle your social security disability claim, you may wish to gauge your "initial trust" level based on the following factors:
Why? For these reasons: if your chosen representative can be reached by phone or is willing to return your calls, knows how the system works and can use that information to your advantage, and is willing to ease your concerns by explaining the process to you and will keep you updated as well...then, most likely, you are receiving proper representation. Disability Advocates Help with Claims Free Case Evaluation |
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SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY ATTORNEY, REPRESENTATIVE LAWYER LIST ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 1 ANSWERS TO YOUR SSD & SSI QUESTIONS PAGE 2 |
| Social Security Disability, SSD and SSI How to apply for and win disability |