I Just Hired A Social Security Disability Attorney, Now What?

 Posted on March 11, 2010 in Social Security Disability

All over the internet you can find Social Security disability attorneys ready to help people with disabilities receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). One of the main reasons someone would want to hire a Social Security disability attorney is because of the increased likelihood of receiving disability benefits. There is no question that a disability attorney can significantly increase the chances of winning a disability claim. For this reason, I am a firm believer that the time to hire a Social Security disability attorney is when you decide you want to pursue disability benefits in the first place. Once a claimant hires a Social Security disability attorney, he or she has taken a major step in putting themselves in the best position to win their case. However, too often claimants mistaken the comfort of hiring a disability attorney to represent them with the idea that their own work in the process is done. This is far from the truth...

After hiring a Social Security disability attorney to represent you, their ability rests squarely in your hands. If you fail to inform your attorney of requests and notices from the Social Security Administration (SSA), your claim could get significantly delayed. For this reason, it is imperative to make sure that your attorney knows about any correspondence you have with the SSA. The same is true if you change addresses or phone numbers. Your attorney must be informed of these changes as soon as possible. Also, know that your attorney cannot create evidence for you. By this, I mean that you have to show up to your doctor's appointments and continue to build your medical record. No matter how good your attorney is, it will be very difficult to represent you without a medical record.

While a Social Security disability attorney can significantly increase your chances of obtaining SSDI or SSI benefits, effective representation can only happen with good communication. Let your attorney know whenever you are in contact with the SSA. Let your attorney know when there are changes in your medical condition(s). And, most importantly, do not be embarrassed to share your thoughts, questions, and concerns with the Social Security disability attorney you hired to represent you. They were hired specifically to be there for you and answer those types of questions. Although making the decision to hire a Social Security disability attorney to represent you will significantly help your case, remember that you have to play an active role in the process as well.