IF YOU HIRE ME, HERE'S WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU....

When a person applies for a job, it implies that he can offer you something valuable. A Social Security disability attorney or representative is no different. "If I hire you, what will you do for me?" is a fair question.

FIRST: A REALISTIC VIEW OF YOUR CASE. The first thing I would do, even before you hire me, and totally free of charge or obligation, is to help you get a realistic view of your disability claim. This view must be objective and seen from the lens of the federal rules and regulations. Some of the earliest determinations in your case must include....

-- Do you have insured status with Social Security? When will it end?

-- Do you have a medically determinable impairment?

-- Has your impairment lasted, or is it expected to last for 12 consecutive months, or to end in death (the duration requirement)?

-- Can you meet one of the Listings?

-- Will you meet a Medical-Vocational Guideline?

-- Do you have enough objective medical evidence to prove your disability?

-- How does your age, education and past work experience effect the claim?

SECOND: This occurs after I decide that I will represent you. FILE A COMPLETE AND ACCURATE APPLICATION FOR BENEFITS AND SEND IN SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS.

THIRD: GATHER AND REVIEW MEDICAL AND VOCATIONAL EVIDENCE. Get every piece of information available from every treating source and analyze it to see how it supports the fact that you meet Social Security's rules for disability.

FOURTH: FORM A VIABLE LEGAL THEORY OF WHY THE CASE SHOULD BE PAID. Often, I will write a brief to the decision maker, outlining how the evidence supports the legal obligation to award benefits.

FIFTH: PREPARE ANY APPEAL AND PREPARE YOU FOR THE APPEAL. You, the claimant, need to be education about what happens at a hearing. What is your role? What is my role? What is the judge's role? What will the vocational expert or medical expert do? What testimony is required? What to do and what not to do at the hearing.

SIXTH: I will be available to answer questions and guide you along the lengthy process. There's usually quite a long wait between filing the application and getting a final decision. During this time, it is normal to be anxious and questions will arise. Social Security will mail you forms to complete. You need someone to advise you on what do do and how to respond. I am always available to my clients. You don't go through a call center and you won't be dealing with a secretary. You will be dealing with me. I will answer the phone. You will have both my office number and my cell phone number. Frankly, there aren't many other representatives who give their clients this degree of personal contact.

Can I guarantee success? No, of course I can't. No one can guarantee the outcome of a disability claim in most cases. My goal will be to give you the best chance to win your benefits, to put up the good fight and to try to recover the most money possible--and do it as quickly as possible.

WHAT WILL YOU PAY FOR MY SERVICES? You will not pay an hourly fee. You won't pay me anything at all until the case settles. If it is successful, you MAY owe me a fee (and you may not). If we have been successful in obtaining a past due benefit or "back pay" award, my fee will be a small percentage of the back pay. It will be automatically deducted from the back pay settlement at Social Security. They will send you your money and will send me the fee. However, if there is no back pay, all my work has been free and you owe me nothing.