You can get a lawyer at any stage of your Social Security Disability case.
For instance, you can wait until you are denied and need to appeal, or you can wait until you have a hearing scheduled, or you can hire a lawyer before you apply.
I like to work with a client from the beginning of the case.
As the lawyer, I think it helps to sit down with the client and go through the disability application online and file it together.
Some of the application questions are tricky and you may not understand why Social Security is asking the questions in certain way.
Knowing your educational background, work history and health condition helps in developing your case from the beginning.
It also helps to work as a team with your lawyer to answer the questions Social Security mails to you during the review of your application.
Social Security will also send you to see to their doctors for purposes of your case. You need to know what these doctors are looking for when they examine you.
You should also be prepared well in advance for the hearing, the questions the judge will ask, and why the vocational expert is testifying.
The best part of having a lawyer from the start is that there is no upfront hourly fee or retainer charged.
A lawyer can only charge a fee if you win your case. And it is capped at a percentage of the back benefits according to federal law.
Questions about your Social Security Disability case? Feel free to contact Illinois Social Security Disability Lawyer Dirk May with Williams and Swee at 309-827-4371.