POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: stonethree on August 22, 2011, 11:16:03 am
-
I understand the process can be very slow. However I have major concerns regarding a non profit entity
"First Step" here in Atlanta. Clients are asked for 25% of their ( I believe ) back payments of SSI and or SSDI.
I'm not getting any sense of urgency on their part. I have already verified with medical providers that here 120+ days in to my claims filing this agency has not followed up on records requests they should have completed, resolved at LEAST 60 DAYS ago. I do not need this additional stress and frustration. I don't believe a competent for profit attorney or firm will charge that much more. So please if anyone knows of a good disability lawyer I will be grateful for a referral. Thanks in advance.
-
Have you tried getting referrals from a case manager at an ASO? I know where I live, and when I lived in NYC, there are entities that provide pro bono legal services for pozzies.
-
I'll certainly inquire further. I don't think there are many if any that will handle it for nothing. thanks though. ;)
-
Hi stonethree,
Social Security always requests medical records from the treating sources you name in your application. They never rely solely on the applicant (or his representative) to provide medical records. It is good practice for the rep to request them for their own files, but it usually isn't strictly necessary for an initial application. If your case is at the appeal level, your rep probably requested the records from SSA.
If there are any recent medical records showing that your condition is worsening, you should gather those yourself and give them to your rep to submit to SSA. That will save some wear and tear on your nerves.
I'm a little concerned though, if your medical providers said that no one requested your medical records. If you are at the initial application level, this could mean that your application wasn't filed. What if any communication have you received from SSA? Have they acknowledged the application yet?
25% of the lump sum retroactive payment is the maximum any rep can charge for a Social Security disability case, with a cap at $6000. Many non-profits don't charge anything for their services, some do. Personally, I'm in favor of the practice. Every penny counts in the non-profit world, and disability cases are not big money makers so non-profits are often the only ones who will take them on.
The Social Security disability process is long and frustrating. There's not much any rep can do to change that. But if you aren't satisfied with your current rep you can always change reps (or fire your current rep and go it alone). There are a number of national firms, like Bender and Bender, who handle only disability cases. I doubt that changing will make a difference, but it is up to you.
Best of luck!
-
Aplace called, Quick AID, look it up on the internet.
Jerry
-
While their services were provided at the expense of my disability insurance carrier, I was very impressed with Allsup. It was clearly in the best interest of my insurance carrier to get me approved for SSDI as they could then offset my payment by any award from the SSA however throughout the process I felt like the representatives at Allsup had my back. They were compassionate, responsive and extremely knowledgeable about the tedious process of applying for disability.
If you retain them on your own, they will charge a fee and I don't believe they are attorneys. If they take you on, they boast a 98% success rate so they obviously do not accept everyone. You can learn more about them on line at Allsup.com. Hope that helps