When to Seek Legal Representation

If you’re thinking about hiring an Alabama Social Security disability attorney, you may wonder when is the best time to have a lawyer involved with your benefits claim. Understandably, you may want to save your legal budget for the stage when an attorney’s help can be most effective. Though a lawyer’s role may vary depending on the circumstances of your case, you should understand how a lawyer’s assistance at each stage of your benefits application would be useful.

Some individuals consider hiring legal representation before they have even filed their applications with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA does not encourage attorney involvement at the initial stage. Furthermore, over one-third of applicants who file their own initial paperwork will successfully have the SSA make a finding of disability without help from legal representation. An Alabama Social Security disability attorney does not usually get involved before the applicant receives an initial denial, unless the prospective applicant already knows of an unusual or complicated legal issue that will affect the application.

The next step after a denial is to apply for reconsideration. About 15% of applicants, many of whom do not have lawyers, receive a finding of disability after the reconsideration stage. Some individuals hire lawyers to help with their applications during the reconsideration stage. An attorney can help with preparation of the appeal paperwork. At this stage, however, prospective clients may need to spend some time gathering their own records to discuss with a lawyer. It may be difficult to tell at this point whether the claimant’s disability will last for at least 12 months, which is the length of time required by the Social Security Act to be found disabled.

An Alabama Social Security disability attorney will be happy to speak with you at any stage of the application process, whether the initial application, reconsideration stage, or hearing, and evaluate your case. After a consultation, you may have a better idea of when you would like to seek legal representation for your claim.