There are more than 63 million people in the United States who collect social security benefits. Are you part of this group? Are you currently having trouble getting the benefits you deserve?
If this is the case, you can likely benefit from hiring a social security lawyer. How much does a social security lawyer charge, though? Can you afford one?
Read on to learn more about social security lawyer fees. This will help you to figure out what you can afford and plan accordingly.
What Does a Social Security Lawyer Do?
A social security lawyer assists with a variety of matters related to social security benefits. If you’ve had a claim denied or haven’t received benefits after becoming disabled from a slip and fall accident, for example, a lawyer could help you get the money you’re owed.
There are lots of reasons why you might want to hire a social security attorney, including the following:
- You need help preparing a claim
- You need help filing an appeal after having a claim denied
- You need help gathering evidence to support your claim
- You need someone to represent you at your hearing
- You have a complicated case and want an expert’s opinion
If any of these reasons resonate with you, it’s probably a good idea for you to have a lawyer on your side.
How Much Does a Social Security Lawyer Charge?
Okay, you’ve decided that you want to hire a lawyer. You’re probably wondering, though, what a social security disability lawyer costs or have questions like “How much can a social security attorney make?”
Every lawyer sets their own fees and has different methods for billing clients (some require a retainer, for example, or others will allow you to pay in installments). Because of this, it can be difficult to get a clear sense of how much this kind of lawyer will cost you.
On average, most people end up spending around $3,750 on social security lawyer fees. It’s important to note, too, that there is a limit on what the Social Security Administration allows these kinds of lawyers to charge. The rule is 25 percent of any back benefits due to the person filing the lawsuit, with a maximum of $6,000.
Keep this number in mind as you start seeking out lawyers to help you with your case. If a person tries to charge you more than this amount, this is a bad sign.
How to Choose the Right Social Security Lawyer
Of course, you need to think about what a lawyer charges before you hire them to assist you. Price isn’t the only factor to take into account, though. There are other things to consider to ensure you’re hiring the best lawyer for the job, including the following:
Ask for Recommendations
It’s true that you can do a quick online search for “social security lawyer near me”. Remember, though, that this isn’t always the best way to find an ethical and reputable lawyer to represent you. Just because someone has the top spot on Google, that doesn’t mean they’re the best lawyer for your case.
Generally, it’s better to get a recommendation from a friend or colleague. Talk to someone who has real experience working with a social security lawyer if possible. They’ll be able to give you more insight into this lawyer’s practice so you can decide more easily if they’re a good fit.
Schedule a Consultation
Once you have a list with a couple of options for lawyers, contact their office and try to schedule a consultation. Most lawyers will offer a free consultation in-person or over the phone.
This gives you a chance to ask questions or get some general advice on how to proceed. It also allows you to gauge how you communicate with this person and get a sense of how you’ll get along moving forward.
Ask the Right Questions
Most consultations only last about 15 minutes or so, so it’s important to use your time wisely. Don’t waste your precious minutes on small talk. Get right down to business as soon as you arrive or get on the phone.
The following are some of the most important questions to ask when consulting your potential attorney:
- How long have you been practicing?
- How many cases do you handle every year?
- How much experience do you have working with clients with cases like mine?
- What percentage of your cases have you won?
- Will I have a case manager who helps you with my case?
- How often will I receive calls with updates on my case?
- Will you cover the cost of my medical records?
Be sure to ask about their fees, too. How much do they anticipate your case costing? Will they charge a retainer now, or will they work on a contingency basis?
Check Their References
Always ask for references before hiring a social security lawyer (or any lawyer, for that matter). Anyone worth hiring will have no trouble providing you with references.
Reach out to these references after you receive their information and talk to them about their experience with this lawyer, as well as whether or not they’d work with them again. This can give you additional insight and help you make an informed choice.
Compare Before Making a Decision
Take your time and compare multiple lawyers before you make a final decision about whom you’ll hire. This helps you to ensure you’ve weighed all your options and aren’t neglecting any important details.
Hire a Social Security Lawyer Today
You now have a clearer answer to the question “How much does a social security lawyer charge?” There are always differences between attorneys, of course, but this information can at least help you to start budgeting and get an idea of what to expect when you go in (or get on the phone) for your first meeting.
Do you want to learn more about hiring a lawyer to help with other legal issues? If so, we have plenty of helpful articles on our site. Check out this one next or recommend it to a friend who has questions about custody agreements.
