Social Security Disability Advocacy Services – What is the Cost?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) determines a standard fee paid to all Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) advocacy groups, including advocacy lawyers and attorneys. Freedom Disability is only paid if you are awarded cash benefits.
The Fee for Social Security Disability Representation Services
Advocacy groups, such as Freedom Disability, are paid 25 percent of the retroactive dollar amount of a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) cash award. Again, this fee rate is set by the Social Security Administration (SSA). For the average person who may wait up to a year to get approved, the fee would be approximately $2,000 out of the total $8,000 in back pay awarded to them. But if the wait is longer and the retroactive award is larger, both the claimant and the advocate (Freedom Disability) are paid more. The maximum fee is capped at $6,000 and would only apply in situations where the applicant was awarded at least $24,000 in retroactive payments (i.e. 25%).
What is the Retroactive Dollar Amount?
If your application or appeal is approved, SSA will award you a monthly cash benefit. SSA also compensates you for the period of time it takes to approve your application which is the retroactive portion of your award. This retroactive award is a one-time-only lump sum that represents the number of past months you were entitled to benefits. Your entitlement date is set after a mandatory waiting period of five full months after SSA determines the date of your disability.
Here’s an example:
- SSA determines you became disabled in June, 2008.
- SSA requires a waiting period of five full calendar months in a row before you are entitled to benefits.
- Your entitlement for benefits begins December, 2008 (five full months after disability date)
- You receive your “notice of award” letter in December 2009.
- You receive a retroactive cash lump sum, minus the 25% fee paid to your representative (e.g. Freedom Disability), which is set by SSA.
- The sum represents the months of benefits due to you from date of entitlement: December 2008 through November 2009 (12 months).
- Your first on-going monthly cash benefit is for December 2009.
Sample Calculation of a Retroactive Dollar Amount and Representation Fee
- Your monthly Cash Award: $1,000
- The period of time for approval process from date of entitlement of benefits: 12 months
- Total Retroactive Lump Sum: $1,000 x 12 months = $12,000
- Representation Fee: 25% of $12,000 = $3,000
- Remaining retroactive lump-sum payment = $9,000
You receive a one-time-only lump sum of $9,000 followed by ongoing payments of $1,000 per month.
What You Can Expect from Freedom Disability
You can count on our experience as Social Security Disability experts to build the highest quality, first-time SSDI application, as required by SSA, to win disability benefits. Should SSA initially deny benefits, we know how to build a strong case to appeal SSA’s decision.
- There are no upfront fees for our application or appeals services.
- There are no consultation fees for assessing your eligibility for benefits.
- There are no upfront costs for collecting medical records on your behalf.
- We receive a percentage fee on back benefits for you and your dependents.
- Our fee is determined by SSA and is paid to us by SSA only if we win your case.
Why Work with Freedom Disability
We want you to win Social Security Disability Insurance benefits because your health and financial future is too important to risk. Our goal is to give you back the freedom to live your life.
If you have any questions about our services, or if you would like us to evaluate your disability case, please contact us.
104 comments to “Social Security Disability Advocacy Services – What is the Cost?”
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I am 36 yrs. old, i have emphysema, i also have a little asthma, i have back pain, i’ve recently gotten joint pains, not enough to show on xrays but they say it’s the onset of rhuematoid arthritis, i also have anxiety and depression dissorders that i’m on meds. for, i have a bladder disease called interstitial cystitis, along with high blood pressure.i had a domestic injury on my face, leaving one side numb, with a bit of double vision in one eye.I have been fighting disability for 2 yrs. now, and have hired an attorney a few months ago. they seem to think i have a good case to win. i have court in oct. i’ve been denied twice. i just would like a second oppinion, they believe i have enough work credits to recieve ssdi, but they put in for both just in case. i’ve only been out of work for the past 4 yrs. 2 yrs. at the point of filing.
Hope,
Your best opportunity for winning disability is at the hearing level. It is always hard to know what the outcome will be, as at this stage of the process, the decision is up to the judge. Your lawyer should be able to guide you on this. Our article “What to Expect at My Disability Hearing” may also be of some help to you. Good luck.
i had a aneurysm 7 years ago, i feel my SSI income should be higher than 800plus i have partial use of my left leg ,no use of my left hand, use a wheelchair to get around,any advice
Octavia,
Your SSI benefit is set at a certain amount based on your other assets and income. It works this way for everybody getting SSI. There may be other Social Services programs that can help you, but your SSI payment is connected to your income and resources with a ceiling on how much the maximum benefit can be. This article, “What is Supplemental Security Income” may help you understand how it works. Good luck.
Could I get more SSDI for recently diagonosed or newer diagnosed mobility issues? i.e Chronic severe fibromyalgia
Linda,
If you are already receiving SSDI, the amount cannot increase, even if your medical condition worsens. This is because your SSDI benefit is based on your work history and earnings record.
I have diabetes and now about to have a pace maker inplanted. Would i be eligible for SSDI?
Theresa,
You would be eligible for SSDI if your medical condition is so severe it is preventing you from working at any job for 12 months or longer, or it is preventing you from engaging in substantial gainful activity, which means that you can’t work to earn more than $1000 a month. You also must have paid into Social Security through work and have enough work credits to be insured for SSDI.Those are the basic eligibility requirements for SSDI. Your age, education and functionality are all factors as well in dermining if you qualify for SSDI. It is a long and difficult process but if you feel you can’t work because of your condition, please call in to talk to an Eligiblity Consultant at 866-347-2910 who can better determine if SSDI is an option for you.
i recieve ssi at the moment and understand that i can also apply for ssdi as well…i have lupus sle and raynaulds sydrome along with copd…also i have been facing bowel abstuctions….i need to know what i qualify for and if there are also anymore gov..programs i can also apply for…if u can please help i thank u
Linda,
I suggest that you check out http://www.helpwell.org to find programs and services to help you. If you need help with your SSDI claim, please call us at 866-347-2910 to talk to an Eligibility Consultant.
would i be eligible for ssd, im im pyschotic meds, Risperidal 3 times a day and i still still have hallucinations and hearing voices, and im taking celexa for depression..also I was diagnosed with kidney disease and high bloodpressure,and vitamin D deficiency, which I have bone pain.. weight loss,nausea,headaches.
Hi Tabetha,
I would say the first step to figuring out what you’re eligible for would be to get an evaluation from one of our eligibility consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked about your service connected disability and how it interferes with your daily life. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for SSDI benefits. This free consultation will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
I recently lost my job in January and receive unemployment at the moment. I am trying to find a job that allows me to work from home, sedentary (I’m a medical transcriptionist). So far, nothing. About 2 weeks before I was laid off, I asked my physician to write a note for my employers stating I couldn’t do the lifting, bending, delivery of reports due to hip cramps and back pain. She said I would need an MRI and maybe I should just apply for disability. I agreed and was going to save up for the deductible ($100) but then got laid off, so no MRI. Long and short of it is that now that I don’t work, I still can barely function. It takes me 3-4 “sessions” just to vacuum my livingroom. I have diabetes, insulin dependent, diabetic neuropathy, hypertension, anxiety, depression, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, peripheral artery disease, Reynaud’s disease, chronic back pain, GERD, frozen shoulder, reactive airway disease, hyperlipidemia, vit. B12 and D3 deficient, and sleep apnea. What are my chances of getting disability? I would like to keep the unemployment as long as possible just so I won’t lose my home, car and/or starve to death. My ADLs are suffering horribly and I don’t even qualify for food stamps or medication (like I can live without insulin?!?!?). Please advise.
Hyperlipidemia
Hi Jonnie,
I would advise you speak to one of our Eligibility Consultants. When you call in you’ll be asked about your medical conditions and how they interfere with your daily life. You’ll also be asked about your work history to help determine if you are insured for SSDI benefits. Again, this is a free consultation that will also give you some guidance on what your next steps should be. I hope you’ll call us at 866-761-5942.
I JUST BEEN DIAIGNOSED WITH MS AND OPTIC NEURITIS I RECENTLY LOST VISION IN MY LEFT EYE AND THE DOCTORS WANT ME TO STRT MEDICATIONS I DONT HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE TO AFFORD TE MEDS AM I ELIGIBLE FOR SSI
I JUST APPLY FOR SSD ABOUT 2WEEKS AGO.IAM TRYING GET WHAT I DESERVE.LOOK AT TRYING FOR MAX.2000 AMONTH.PLEASE COULD YOU HELP ME WITH THIS.BECAUSE IAM NEW TO THIS.THANK YOU.
Michael,
Although you just recently filed your SSD claim, Freedom Disability might still be able to assist you. I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. They will ask you a few questions regarding your current health conditions and past work history to determine your eligibility for our assistance. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942. Good luck.
hi i have lupus i have swelling in my joint which i can’t physical move i apply for SSD and was denied. They never sent me to there doctor to examine me. So they don’t know my physical condition. I can hardly move. Please Help
Donna,
Freedom Disability may be able to assist you. I would recommend speaking to one of our Eligibility Consultants. They will ask you a few questions regarding your current health conditions and past work history to determine your eligibility for our assistance. I hope you’ll give us a call at 866-761-5942.
hello. i just had a few quick questions. the first is that i have spondylosis and spondylothesis on my S1 and L5, bulges at the L3 and L4. I also encroachment of the nerve. i have P.T.S.D, and agoraphobia with anxiety disorder. all cause when i was between the ages 1 to 10 from a wanna be step person that was on all kings of drugs and would beat me for stupid things and some times just for no reason. well now i am 28 and i have these problems and have been tring to get ssi for 6 years now. i was denied a previous time with knisler, schondel and hubbs, they dropped me after the judges denial, i then went to the appeals council, i was denied there and was suppose to file federally but no one knew how so i dropped that claim and have filed a new one. i have a lawyer that is close to where i live that i have just recently got. i am just looking for some 2nd opinion on if i have a winnable case
thank you for your time
jesse
Jesse,
Unfortunately we do not accept SSI cases and you will need to consult with your current attorney or another local representative.
I have a question. When I got my disability how come I never got my 6 months lumb sum. Cause it took 6 months for me to get my disability. You guys worked with me. We only got one month pay. Do you no why?
Janet,
I recommend you contacting your Freedom Disability Advocate. They will be able to explain why this happened. I am unfortunately unable to view your case, so please contact your Advocate. Good luck!