Q & A
I have been speaking with several attorneys who each want to help me file for Social Security disability. How much can they charge if I decide to have one of them represent me?
Answer: To charge you a fee for services, your representative first must file either a fee agreement or a fee petition with us. Your representative cannot charge you more than the fee amount we authorize.A representative who charges or collects a fee without our authorization, or charges or collects too much, may be suspended or disqualified from representing anyone before the Social Security Administration and may face criminal prosecution.
If you and your representative have a written fee agreement, your representative may ask us to approve it any time before we decide your claim. Usually, we will approve the agreement and tell you in writing how much your representative may charge as long as the following criteria are satisfied:You must both sign the agreement. Your claim must be approved and result in past-due benefits.
The fee you agreed on is no more than 25 percent of past-due benefits or $6,000, whichever is less.If we do not approve the fee agreement, we will notify you and your representative in writing.
Source: Oscar Garcia,public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, via mysanantonio.com - 8-2-2014
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