Columbia Social Security Disability Law Firm | After the Hearing

After your hearing before the administrative law judge, you should continue to keep in touch with us, for a variety of reasons.

What To Do When Your Decision Is Received

First step, make sure you contact us so that we know you have received your decision. We should receive a copy of the decision; however, it is commonplace for the hearing office to make a mistake and only send the decision to you. Next, we will review your decision and decide if there are any errors that need correcting. We will also ensure that your benefit payment stays on track. Most importantly, if the decision is a denial, we need to make sure you do not miss the deadline to file an appeal.

Appealing A Denial

Sometimes even our experienced Columbia Social Security disability law firm receives a denial. A denial is not the end of the road though, so if your decision is a denial, you should still get in contact with us. We can usually find grounds for appeal. However, there is a strict 60-day deadline to appeal to the Appeals Council. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to appeal.

Other Payment Factors

If your decision is favorable, the terms of your fee agreement come into effect. Most fee agreements award 25 percent of back benefits up to a maximum amount set by the Commissioner of Social Security (currently $6,000). This phase of the case is not complicated, since the Social Security Administration will withhold the attorney fee and send it to your lawyer. Most fee agreements also require you to pay expenses directly to your lawyer, in order to reimburse them for expenses paid on your behalf over the course of your case. Since a favorable decision is the final step, this is when those expenses normally become due.

Get Help From A Top Columbia Social Security Disability Law Firm

We handle SSD appeals every day. If you could benefit from our expert advice, call Bridgman Law Offices now at 704-815-6055.