Florida SSD and SSI Lawyer
When Should You Hire an Attorney?
If you are applying for Social Security disability benefits, you have a right to represent yourself, or you can be represented by an attorney. At most stages in the process, you can also choose a non-attorney advocate. If and when to hire a lawyer is completely up to you.
I am Don Anderson, a Clearwater Social Security disability attorney with more than 35 years of legal experience. To get personalized advice on the details of your disability benefits claim, feel free to contact my office today to schedule a free consultation.
Assisting Clients With Each Stage of the SSD Process
The Social Security disability (SSD) application process has several stages, and you can choose to hire a lawyer at any point in the process. The following are the major stages:
- Initial application: Unlike some attorneys, I am prepared to assist clients who do not feel comfortable completing their initial applications for benefits on their own.
- Disability hearing: If you have completed the application on your own but your claim has been denied, you may still have a very good chance of getting benefits by requesting a hearing. This is most often when applicants will hire lawyers to represent them.
- Appeals council: If your case was not successful at the hearing level, you can appeal it to the SSA's appeals council. I am available to assist clients at this stage.
- Federal court: If you have been turned down by the appeals council, you may be able to pursue your claim in federal district court. A non-attorney cannot represent you at this stage. I have extensive experience representing clients in federal court.
At any point before your case goes to federal court, you have a right to amend your application, so if you made any mistakes at one of the early stages, hiring an attorney may help you get those mistakes corrected in time to eventually get approved for benefits.
I am dedicated to providing each of my clients with the personal attention necessary to make sure they are comfortable with the disability benefits process. To discuss whether you are ready to have an attorney step in and take charge of your case, contact me today.
