Q: If you hire a social security attorney, will it speed up the review process?
A: Your case will not necessarily move through the review process any quicker with a lawyer than it would without one. Having a social security attorney, however, will assure that you have given your case the best chance at winning. Some cases are approved after the initial review process. But most claimants will be denied benefits after the initial review process and will then wish to move onto the next step in the process. The next step would be to appeal to have the case reconsidered. Most cases are denied again after being reconsidered and will then move on to be heard before an administrative judge. Your case will benefit from being represented by a social security attorney when heard before an administrative judge. A social security disability lawyer has the experience and institutional knowledge to help navigate your claim through the hearing process. You do not need to be represented by a lawyer to go through the hearing phase. But most claims that are awarded benefits after a hearing have had legal representation. So, although having an attorney will not guarantee that your claim will be reviewed more quickly, it will assure that your claim is processed properly. The outcome that matters most is being approved for benefits, not how fast your case was reviewed.
Q: Should you hire a local social security attorney or can you hire one from any location?
A: The lawyer you hire is not required to be local. Most lawyers travel to various locations in and out of state to represent various cases. Your time would be better spent on locating a social security attorney that has the expertise and institutional knowledge you feel would best suit your needs, than on locating one who is geographically near you.
Q: Once you have been approved for benefits, how long does it take to start receiving payments?
A: Unlike the deadlines you face when you are submitting paperwork and filing appeals during the disability review process, there are no deadlines for when you start receiving benefits. That being said, the majority of people receive their first benefits check within 60 days after they were approved. Retroactive benefits may take a bit longer.