HIRING AN ATTORNEY TO REPRESENT YOU IN YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY OR SSI CLAIM

• Collect the medical evidence that proves your medical conditions, including asking your doctors to prepare reports that address the specific issues that are important to Disability Determinations Services (DDS) and the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ).
   
• Handle all of your contacts with the Social Security Administration and DDS, including filing your initial application, filling out all of the forms and supplying all of the necessary documentation.
   
• Request that the Social Security Administration send you to the appropriate medical specialist to evaluate the extent of your disability.   
   
• Compare your actual income history to the Social Security Administration's records to determine if qualifying income has been excluded or never reported. This can boost the amount of your award or allow you to satisfy contribution requirements for Disability.  
   
• Request that any prior benefits applications be reopened, potentially increasing the amount of your accrued benefits. If you have missed important time limits, we can request a waiver to reinstate your claim.
   
• Update and monitor the files that Social Security uses to decide your claim.
   
• Provide an "Opening Statement" at your hearing or a written summary of the law and evidence that explains to the Judge why you should qualify for benefits under the Social Security laws and regulations.
   
• Advise you about your testimony and cross-examine opposing witnesses at your hearing.
   
• Maintain continuing contact with the Social Security Administration after your hearing to verify that your benefits are calculated correctly and paid on time.

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