Michigan’s Premier
Disability Rights Law Firm Since 1958.
NO FEE UNTIL WE WIN!
Michigan’s Premier Disability Rights Law Firm Since 1958.
NO FEE UNTIL WE WIN!
Like Us On:
WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE A DISABILITY LAWYER NOT A NON-ATTORNEY ADVOCATE
Gordon & Pont • May 7, 2019
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ATTORNEY AND NON-ATTORNEY ADVOCATE
Since disability attorneys and non-attorney“advocates”can charge the same fees, it usually makes sense to hire a lawyer.
Either way the person you hire will not be paid unless you win your disability claim; likewise, both are paid directly by the Social Security Administration (SSA) out of your back payment benefits. Both attorneys and non-attorney advocates are entitled to the same.
What Is the Difference Between an Attorney and Non-Attorney Advocate?
The biggest differences between an attorney and a non-attorney advocate (or representative) are their education levels and training.
Attorney.
To become an attorney, you must have the following qualifications:
- a bachelor’s degree (four-year college degree)
- a juris doctorate (J.D.) degree (usually a three-year program of legal studies), and
- admission to a state bar (which requires passing a rigorous bar exam)
Attorneys then practice law and learn how to zealously cross examine witnesses; including the expert witnesses hired by the SSA who will testify at your hearing.
Non-attorney advocate.
The SSA has established the following requirements to get paid directly by Social Security for acting as a non-attorney representative/advocate:
- a bachelor’s degree or “equivalent qualifications derived from training and work experience”–so not even a college degree is needed.
- passage of a criminal background check
- professional liability insurance
- passage of a written exam administered by the SSA, and
- completion of continuing education courses.
Why to hire a Disability Attorney:
When deciding whether to hire a lawyer versus an “advocate,”you should consider the following pros of hiring a lawyer.
- Attorneys are bound by professional conduct rules and ethical obligations to zealously represent their clients.“Advocates”are not.
- Attorney are bound to keep anything you tell them confidential due to the attorney-client privilege. There is no attorney-client privilege with an “advocate.”
- An attorney has many years of specialized training, which will better enable them to spot and resolve potential legal issues and to craft legal theories for reasons you should get benefits.
- An “advocate”cannot appeal your claim to the federal district court level, and
- You can file a complaint against an attorney through your state’s grievance commission if you feel your attorney did not act in your best interest; there is no such recourse with non-attorney representatives.
Making Sure You Hire a Lawyer:
It is important to you that your representative is an experienced and licensed attorney. Ask directly whether he or she is a member of the bar, because non-attorney representative firms can use misleading titles such as:
- legal representative
- claimant representative
- disability representative, or
- disability advocate.
Learn why hiring a disability attorney over a non-attorney advocate can benefit your Social Security Disability claim. Discover key differences in qualifications, legal expertise, ethical protections, and more.
Gordon & Pont is a highly reputable Social Security Disability law firm in Detroit, offering expert legal assistance for claims, appeals, and hearings. With years of experience, they provide personalized, compassionate representation to help clients secure the benefits they deserve. Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call for a consultation!
The timeline for Social Security Disability benefits can vary, but understanding the process—from initial application to appeal—can help you avoid delays. Learn how to speed up your claim and why hiring an experienced lawyer like Gordon & Pont is essential for a faster resolution. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn how Social Security work credits are earned and how many are needed to qualify for SSDI benefits. Discover the requirements, including the Date Last Insured (DLI), and get expert help from Gordon & Pont for your SSDI case. Contact us today for guidance! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Denied SSDI or SSI benefits? Understand the Social Security Appeals process, including reconsideration requests, ALJ hearings, and further appeals. Get expert legal help from Gordon & Pont to improve your chances of success. Contact us today for a consultation! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
A recent Washington Post article revealed how frequently the SSA loses when Claimants appeal their denials in Federal Court. Remands back to the ALJ are at a record high. "In the last two fiscal years, federal judges considering appeals for denied benefits found fault with almost 6 in every 10 cases and sent them back to administrative law judges at Social Security for new hearings - the highest rate of rejections in years, agency statistics show." Why is this Happening? "Federal judges have complained of legal errors, inaccurate assessments of whether claimants can work, failures to consider medical evidence, and factual mistakes, according to court rulings and Social Security’s own data." The SSA is making more mistakes and wrongfully denying more claims. “The system has become one of ‘how do we deny this claim’ rather than ‘what is the right answer in this person’s case?’” ... “And the Federal Courts agree: ‘You have to do a better job.’” Success Stories: "At his hearing in March, a new Social Security judge considered the rulings by three federal judges who found that the agency failed to properly consider the severity of his headaches, nerve damage, and other impairments by ignoring treatment notes from his doctors. An outside doctor Social Security hired to examine him also described severe “pain and anxiety” from his injuries. He prepared to wait for months for another rejection. Instead, the written decision came just two weeks later: Sheldon had been awarded the monthly benefits — along with $205,000 in back pay. His first check landed in his bank account this month." This is why we do what we do. To read the full Washington Post article: Click here - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/25/social-security-disability-denials-court-remands/
Social Security's Blue Book. What is the Blue Book? How does it impact your claim? Read on to learn more.
Various types of eye conditions can cause disability and qualify for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Read to learn more..
Email: lawmich@aol.com
| Phone: 248-395-4100 | Toll Free: 1-800-LAW-MICH
| Address:
29566 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 130 Southfield, MI 48034
Business Hours:
Sun-Sat 24hr
Calls Answered 24/7
Like Us On: