Can I afford a disability attorney or representative for my claim ?

This is number five in our list of mistakes not to make on a social security disability or SSI claim. Don't assume that you can't afford a disability attorney.

Many individuals who have filed for disability with the social security administration (or are considering filing an application for disability) start off with the mistaken assumption that they cannot afford a disability attorney.

And this may be a natural and logical assumption. However, it is an incorrect one. To get representation on a social security disability claim or SSI disability case from a disability attorney (or a qualified non-attorney representative), you will not be required to pay anything upfront.

Why is this? Because disability representatives only receive a fee if they win a claimant's case. In other words, they are paid after a case has been won. Naturally, this implies that no fee is paid upfront.

In the event that a disability claim is won by a disability attorney or non-attorney representative, how much is the fee? The amount of the fee is regulated by the social security administration. Currently, this fee is equal to one-quarter of a disability claimant's back pay. Therefore, to use an example, if a claimant wins social security disability or ssi benefits and receives $20,000 in backpay, the disability representative will be eligible to receive $5000 as the fee for representation (25% of the total backpay).





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