People take legal matters into their own hands every day, and sometimes they lose money and property in the process. You can make a legally binding contract without using an attorney, but you are risking missing some big legal loopholes and laws you may not be familiar with that can not only make your contract invalid but can actually cost you in the end. When you are selling or purchasing real estate, tackling the creation of a will or even just loaning money to a friend, a consultation with an attorney can be a positive step. I'll show you when and why you need an attorney.
Having a disability, whether it be a mental disorder or a physical one, can make staying employed difficult or even nearly impossible. It's estimated that 48.9 million Americans have a disability, with 24.1 million of those having what is considered to be a severe disability. For those who are unable to support themselves due to a disability, Social Security disability benefits (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can help. The trouble for many is that receiving these benefits can be a difficult and confusing process. Hiring a disability attorney can help. Here are three reasons to consider disability attorney services.
They Can Assist With The Application Forms
For those who are disabled, the process of even applying for disability benefits can be exhausting. Filling out and filing the paperwork needed to get SSDI or SSI can take a long time. Some of the documentation that will likely be required while filing for these benefits include medical records, statements from the applicant's doctors, work history records, previous education, as well as financial records and bank statements. Compiling these documents as well as filling out and filing the corresponding paperwork is something that an attorney can help with.
An Attorney Increases Chance Of Approval The First Time Around
The rate of approval for SSDI or SSI varies from state to state. The national average for approval is around 36 percent for initial disability claims. For those who are denied the first time around, there is an appeal process that can be completed in order to potentially receive benefits. An attorney can help by ensuring that the initial paperwork is filled out properly and that their client has a good chance of approval the first time around.
They Are Helpful During The Appeals Process
While hiring a disability attorney from the beginning can be helpful, hiring one after the first application for SSDI or SSI has been denied is a must. After a disability application has been denied, it's common to have a disability hearing with an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). Around 45 percent of cases heard by ALJs are approved. Having an attorney during an appeal can greatly increase the applicant's chances of winning their appeal. It's also important to note that disability attorneys usually work on contingency which means if the appeal is lost, they do not collect a fee. Attorneys and their clients can agree on any fee as long as it's not more than 25 percent of the social security backpay or greater than $6,000.
Having a disability can make entering into or staying in the workplace very difficult. For those who cannot work due to a disability, SSDI or SSI may be essential to their survival. Hiring an attorney can help applicants deal with the large amount of paperwork and documentation needed to apply. An attorney also increases an applicant's chances of being accepted the first time around and can help their chances if an appeal is necessary.
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