Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Social Security Disability
David R. Pence Answers Your Questions About Social Security Disability
If you plan to file a claim, you may have many questions about Social Security Disability benefits. Even if you have completed the process and received a denial, you can anticipate the process to be overwhelming. You are not alone; complicated and confusing forms along with busy phone and computer connections frustrate many people!
contact Zerbe & Pence, PLLC today. There are a variety of reasons why Social Security Disability typically denies claims. One answer that few consider is the high volume of claims made each year.
Attorney David Pence can answer questions you may have about Social Security Disability. You may not know that the Social Security Administration (SSA) trains its employees to question applicants in a way that weakens their disability case. SSA sends claimants to doctors they use routinely and leaves you waiting for months wondering about their approval or denial.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As in any serious matter, questions abound. Below are answers to some common questions you may have about Social Security Disability. Because individual circumstances differ, do not rely on any information on this page as applicable to your given factual situation. For more information, call Zerbe & Pence, PLLC at (304) 345-2728 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with attorney David Pence.
DO YOU QUALIFY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS?
Determining whether your illness qualifies as a disability as defined by the Social Security Administration guidelines is not easy. For help, call Zerbe & Pence, PLLC to schedule a consultation when you can discuss your illness, answer any legal questions, and determine your eligibility to receive disability benefits.
WHY SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY?
Because You Have Enough to Worry About…
Nothing in the SSA’s rules says you must hire an attorney before they approve you to receive benefits. However, the statistics clearly show that people who do not have legal representation also have a significantly lower success rate. This is the number one reason to hire an attorney!
Working together, our lawyers and support staff help thousands of people each year. The primary focus of Zerbe & Pence, PLLC on disability claims means that our lawyers are as familiar with the medical issues involved in these cases as they are the legal ones.
SHOULD I HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR AN ADVOCATE?
Non-lawyer advocates that handle Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income claims can charge the same amount of money as a lawyer. Disability advocates use generalized experience to help clients, while attorneys have the schooling and legal experience to support the rights of clients with disabilities. Why trust your case or chances for a successful result to someone with very little legal training when you can hire an attorney for the same price?
CAN YOU AFFORD AN ATTORNEY?
Persons disabled due to an injury or illness who cannot work should know two main things. You can afford a lawyer, and if you do have legal counsel your chances of winning a Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income claim improve significantly.
Zerbe & Pence, PLLC understands that the cost of hiring a lawyer to represent you in a Social Security Disability case may seem like an unaffordable ‘luxury.’ We are here to tell you that you can.
WHAT WILL IT COST?
The Social Security Administration mandates that disability lawyers charge clients on a contingency basis. It also mandates the maximum amount of fees that attorneys can take out of your back pay. If the Social Security Administration awards you disability benefits, then we can charge no more than 25% of your awarded back pay up to the maximum amount dictated by the Social Security Administration.
That means a lawyer can only charge the lesser of the two. If 25% of your back pay equals $2,000, then your disability attorney cannot ask for the maximum amount. On the other hand, the attorney cannot ask for more than the maximum amount, even if 25% of your back pay is more than that.
We can explain how this works in more detail at an initial consultation. If you decide to become a client of Zerbe & Pence, PLLC, we will provide you with a written fee agreement outlining the costs. We would be happy to answer any other law firm questions you might have at that time.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
Generally, Zerbe & Pence, PLLC will evaluate, assess, and order the evidence to build the strongest possible case for each person or family we represent. We don’t take shortcuts, and we pay attention to the details. Attorney David Pence protects our clients’ interests at each stage of the process.
In many cases, our experience and reputation for thoroughness can allow us to secure benefits for our clients without having to attend a hearing. If you decide to hire us and become a client yourself, we are happy to provide you with more details about our practice and the work we do on your behalf.
Need solid information about Social Security Disability? Speak with Zerbe & Pence, PLLC today for answers to the most frequently asked questions.
