A disability lawyer does not ask for a retainer, nor does he or she charge up-front fees. When you hire a lawyer in Rockford to help you with your Social Security disability claim, you can expect to pay the legal fee only if you win the case. This arrangement is known as “contingency.”
The Agreement
When you first engage the professional services of a disability lawyer, you will be asked to sign an agreement that gives the Social Security Administration the right to pay your attorney the agreed upon fee once the case has been won. To ensure that the legal fees are in accordance with the current guidelines, the SSA reviews the agreement.
How Much Is the Legal Fee?
The fee that your lawyer can charge is set by the SSA; it is limited to 25 percent of the past due benefits you are ultimately awarded, but not to exceed $6,000. Your disability lawyer is paid based on the past due benefits you get; if none are awarded, you do not have to pay your lawyer.
As most claimants have limited funds, it is nice to know that it costs virtually nothing to get experienced legal assistance in Rockford. The lawyer’s fee will be paid out of your award; you receive the balance.
How Is the Past Due Benefit Calculated?
Once your SSDI claim has been approved, the Administration will calculate your past due benefit, or “back pay.” Your back pay is calculated from the date your disability was determined to have begun to the date you were approved for benefits, but not exceeding 12 months.
Your disability lawyer will be paid his or her fee from your initial award. If, for example, your initial award was $15,000, your lawyer will receive 25 percent, or $3750, the balance of $11,250 is yours.
During the time you are being represented, your lawyer may have out-of-pocket expenses; these expenses must be paid separately from the lawyer’s fee.
If you have been denied Social Security benefits, a disability lawyer can help you win your case on appeal. The Law Offices of Jeffrey A Rabin & Associates, Ltd near Rockford. can help you get the benefits you deserve. To arrange a free consultation, visit https://www.rabinsslaw.com/rockford-social-security-disability-lawyer
