There are a number of ways attorneys charge for their professional services, some charge an up-front retainer and then charge an hourly rate for the work they do on your case while other work on contingency. A Social Security attorney in Tennessee is paid on contingency, this simply means that he or she charges no up-front fees nor do they apply an hourly charge; they are paid at the successful conclusion of your case.
What is the agreement?
When an attorney agrees to take your case he or she is reasonably sure that it will result in success and you will be granted disability benefits. You will be asked to enter into a fee agreement with the attorney, the agreement allows Social Security to pay the legal fees if the benefit claim is approved. As there are specific guidelines that must be adhered to, the Social Security Administration reserve the right to review the agreement to ensure the guidelines are met.
What is the legal fee?
A Social Security attorney’s fees are limited to 25 percent of the back pay that is eventually awarded, not to exceed $6,000. If you fail to be awarded benefits or past-due benefits the attorney will not be paid. The back pay is calculated from the date the initial application is made to the date benefits are awarded. Say for example your back pay is calculated to be $4,000. In this case your attorney gets 25 percent or $1,000 and you receive the balance of $3,000.
In accordance with the agreement you entered into with the attorney, his fee will be paid directly by the Administration from your first payment.
To pursue your case your Social Security attorney in Tennessee will invariably have some out-of-pocket expenses, these expenses rarely exceed two or three hundred dollars and must be paid by you regardless of the outcome.
It makes little sense for you not to hire a Social Security attorney in Tennessee as you only have to pay when you are granted benefits. For a free evaluation of your case you are invited to contact the Law Offices of Miller & Drozdowski, P.C. Follow us on Google+.
