Do I Need an Attorney to File for Social Security Benefits?
Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran
Social Security is a program that was started in 1935 to provide income for the elderly when they reached the age of retirement and were no longer in the workforce. Up until 1935, most of those not working due to their age had to use individual savings, state or local programs, or assistance from family members. Everyone who reached the age of 62 could apply for these benefits as long as they had worked at least ten years and had paid into the system. In some cases they could also be covered for disability and not being able to work, but not everyone is assured of compensation under the current rules. The application process for unique personal situations can be complicated, and that is when the services of a Social Security Benefits Lawyer at our law firm can be helpful.
The Social Security Administration can be reached by phone or online, and a person can file for their benefits through this process. However, the application is not always user-friendly, and in addition the applicant needs to provide a lot of information and documentation that they may find hard to uncover. That is when the attorney can assist the applicant and move the process ahead.
When to Contact an Attorney
A discussion with an attorney at our law firm can be very helpful in assisting you in clarifying your overall plan to retire. Many times there is more than just the questions about applying for Social Security benefits, and there may be other items, like other retirement plans, insurance considerations, and the need to create a will or other related planning options. An attorney can help you prioritize and place these steps in an order that provides you with peace of mind and an approach to making the most out of your resources.
However, applying for Social Security is a task that should not be underestimated because many forms and documents need to be completed and verified. Depending on your circumstances, some may need to be notarized or supported with additional information and a Social Security Benefits Lawyer has the knowledge and experience to make sure all of the information is complete. The Law Offices of Cochran, Kroll & Associates have helped many clients apply for their Social Security benefits when the time was right.
Social Security Disability
When a person is filing for a disability claim with the Social Security system, there is a 65% chance their claim will be denied. This denial is usually because the applicant did not complete the paperwork correctly or they failed to provide the medical information asked for on the application. Statistics have shown that when an applicant uses a Social Security Benefits Attorney the claim is more likely to be approved.
An attorney representing you will assist you with the application, and when presenting the case, they can focus on the factors of the disability that support your need for compensation. In addition, the attorney will make sure that you have all of the current medical information that supports your disability claim, and that there is a thorough reference to the Blue Book Listing that is the medical manual for Social Security claims.
Your attorney will also be able to anticipate the need for an appeal, and they will be ready to work on the case until you have the compensation that you deserve.
Final Thoughts
The application process for Social Security can look simple, but if you have special circumstances or you are trying to organize a more comprehensive retirement plan, a Social Security Benefits Lawyer is prepared to assist you. At Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. have helped many retirees plan for retirement buy making sure they have received their optimum Social Security benefits. Contact us at Cochranlaw.com or call us for a free consultation at 866-MICH-LAW.
Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.
