When you’re applying for disability benefits through Social Security, there’s a lot of red tape that most people find confusing. Even in the best case scenario, which is getting approved without needing a hearing or appeal, you’ll still have to fill out the paperwork and be interviewed by a medical practitioner.
With all the other hardships that people with disabilities already face, consulting an SSDI attorney makes a lot of sense. And the sooner you do it, the better your outcome will be.
But what exactly is an SSDI attorney, and how is this type of attorney different from others?
SSDI Attorneys: Their Qualifications and Ethical Obligations
The attorney who will handle your disability case should be well-versed in the nuances of Social Security law. That’s because this kind of attorney has certain continuing education requirements, so that they stay up to date on changes in Social Security law. Not only do SSDI attorneys need to know Social Security laws, but they also need to know other laws that might affect your disability case.
This job comes with a lot of responsibilities. Your SSDI attorney will:
Review your case at every point in the application process. Whether you’ve finished the initial application or you haven’t started it yet, your attorney’s job is to look closely at your situation and make sure that all the pieces are in place.
Too often, a strong SSDI claim ends up being weakened, or outright rejected, because crucial pieces of information are missing. You have the right to a competent SSDI attorney, one who is trained to recognize common mistakes like this and to fix them.
Prepare a narrative. Your SSDI attorney will also help you put together a coherent, compelling, and accurate story, explaining what your disability is like and how it affects your ability to work. Even if you get approved without ever spending a day in court, having a strong narrative can make your application more persuasive.
Handle your communications with the Social Security Administration. Once you retain an SSDI attorney, you won’t have to file your own paperwork or talk to Social Security representatives on the phone if you don’t want to. This can reduce many of the most common hassles in the SSDI application process.
Represent you. One of the most important responsibilities that any attorney can have is representing a client, especially in court. Representation means that your attorney can speak for you, make certain decisions on your behalf, or even take your place in a courtroom if necessary. For example, if you request a hearing with an administrative judge, you won’t have to talk to the judge yourself, because your SSDI attorney can do it for you. And short of extenuating circumstances, an SSDI attorney can’t withdrawal once a hearing has been scheduled.
When the stakes are so high, you need competent and ethical representation. Contact our offices by phone, email, or text message, and we’ll connect you with an experienced SSDI attorney that you can trust with everything.