When it comes to taking care of yourself, having access to an incredible lawyer is absolutely essential. A few years back, I was accused of a crime that I didn't commit, and it was absolutely devastating. The only way that I got through the ordeal was by finding an excellent general attorney who could represent me. I worked hard to find the right lawyer, and it was amazing to find an expert who truly understood what I was up against. This blog is all about finding the right lawyer to help you through your legal battles so that you can avoid serving time for something you didn't do.
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Financial Help Just When You Need It: Social Security Legal Assistance
Henry Jennings
If you are out of work because of a medical condition and have been waiting for Social Security to approve your application, then you may be in dire financial straits. It can take months for the Social Security Administration (SSA) to process your application for monthly benefits and then you could find out that you've been turned down. You may have heard that having an attorney might improve your chances of winning benefits at appeal, but you may also be wondering how on earth you would pay an attorney. Read on to find out how you can get help with no upfront money needed.
You have money coming
If you have a good case for benefits but were turned down on a technicality or other reasons then you might still be able to get the benefits you need at the appeals hearing. When you do get approved then you are likely eligible for something called back pay.
This money is provided to you in a lump sum fashion and is meant to span the gap between the time you became disabled and the time you finally got approved for benefits. Since it might take a long time to get benefits there is a good chance that this sum of money is considerable. It is this money that can be used to pay for legal help.
Paying using a contingency fee arrangement
Attorneys that practice Social Security law use a special type of fee arrangement that allows them to provide help to filers before they've been paid their back pay. The contingency fee arrangement is a legal agreement between you, the attorney and the SSA that stipulates how much of a fee the attorney can be paid from your back pay once you are eligible for it. The SSA then removes that fee and provides it directly to the attorney. This process is tightly regulated by the SSA and all agreements must be approved by them before going forward.
There are limits on what you will pay
Your attorney is limited on the amount they may charge you and you will know exactly what the percentage or flat fee will be before you sign the agreement. You won't pay more than $6,000 total, no matter what; that is the cap. The amount of the fee also cannot be higher than 25% of your back pay amount. You and your lawyer might agree to a lesser fee, but not more.
If you have been turned down for benefits, speak to a Social Security attorney, such as Attorney John B. Martin Law Offices, to find out more about the contingency fee plan that might get you the help you really need.
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