How Do You Know Which Social Security Lawyer to Choose?
Q: What is the first thing that will happen after you obtain representation from a social security lawyer?
A: The first thing a social security lawyer will do is familiarize himself with everything in your file, as well as your current medical information. Your attorney will want to thoroughly understand your case. Recent medical information is perhaps the most important thing for a social security lawyer, particularly if your case is in the hearing phase. The SSA will not update any medical information after a reconsideration decision has been made. Consequently, your medical information may be severely outdated when you finally get to your hearing date. Your lawyer will assure that the judge has a thorough and current picture of your medical history. Less than 60 days old is what most attorneys advise regarding your medical records.
Q: If you are looking for a social security lawyer, what types of things should you be aware of?
A: You should have a standard list of questions for any social security lawyer you are considering hiring. For a lawyer that is part of a law firm that deals with various types of issues, you may wish to ask what percentage of their cases pertain to Social Security issues. Ideally, you would choose a lawyer that focuses on social security at least 1/3 of the time. You want your lawyer to be skilled at these types of cases and percentage of caseload is a good indicator of how frequently he has to dive into Social Security topics. Another question for a potential lawyer is the number of cases he has represented in court. The more cases a lawyer has tried in court, the more experienced and practiced he will be with your case. Some people also ask lawyers they are considering hiring if they have ever dealt with their particular type of injury before. Many attorneys recommend simply asking a potential social security lawyer about the challenges he sees in your case and how he can help. Finally, ask if he or someone else will be the one with you when your case goes before an administrative judge. It is usually not helpful to ask a lawyer the number of wins and losses for social security cases. Social Security claims differ so much and you do not know if an attorney took on simple or more challenging cases. The number of cases won, consequently, will not be valuable to helping you determine if he should be your attorney.
Q: Will Social Security look at all resources when determining eligibility for Supplemental Security Income?
A: All assets and resources will be considered when you apply for SSI. If you have beyond two thousand dollars worth of countable assets, you will not qualify for SSI. The home you live in is not a countable asset. The main car you drive will also not count against you. Additional cars and property, however, do count. Social Security will also factor in your bank accounts, insurance policies and investments.