Deciding who will represent you on your disability claim


If you are in the process of trying to decide who you should have represent you in your disability claim, it is important to know that not all disability representatives are created equal.

As you look for someone to represent you on your claim, keep in mind that both attorneys and non-attorney representatives are allowed to do this work.  There are many non-attorney representatives who do excellent work, but be aware that if your case had to move out of the administrative realm on appeal, they would not be able to handle your appeal at district court.

I also encourage people to try to figure out how much attention your case will get.  Some offices put a lot of time into each individual case, while others put in the bare minimum.

Here are some good questions to ask as you are interviewing a potential attorney or representative:

– Will I meet with an attorney before my hearing? For how long?
– Will your firm obtain medical records or will I be asked to provide these?
– What stages of the process can you help me with? Can you assist with the initial application, including the work history and function reports?  Can you take my case to district court, if necessary?
– Will my case be briefed to the judge in advance of my hearing?
– Will my lawyer work with my doctor to prepare an opinion letter or will they simply send out a form for my doctor to fill out?

Who you select to represent you at the hearing can make a difference, so don’t make this decision without seriously considering the value of who you are hiring.  You might also consider interviewing a few individuals before making your final decision.