Social Security (SSDI and SSI) Advocacy
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental
Security Income (SSI) are the two primary Federal assistance
programs which provide financial support to those who have
qualified disabilities. SSDI is a federal wage replacement
income benefit for those who have previously worked and also
meet medical impairment requirements.
SSI is immediate disability replacement income for those
who meet certain federal low-income guidelines. It is intended
to help the aged, blind and other disabled people who have
little or no money and who need assistance with food, clothing
and shelter. SSI is funded from general tax revenues rather
than from social security funds. Making application for
Social Security Disability benefits and managing through the
complex process of filling out forms and obtaining records can
be very difficult to those who are ill and unprepared. We can
help. Although statistics tend to vary from state to state,
the Social Security Administration (SSA) denies approximately
65% of all people filing disability applications. However,
statistics improve significantly for those who are represented
in the process.
DCS is unique in its understanding of medical impairments
and how an applicant’s symptoms and doctor’s notes support a
credible case for SSDI or SSI. We are experts in preparing a
case for social security disability and supplement the
application with a complete packet of information obtained by
the applicant from physicians and others who have input into
the claims process. Although DCS cannot represent you before
an Administrative Law Judge outside of Maine we will refer to
you an experienced representative in your state should that
happen. We believe it is important for you to have
representation by attorneys in your state that may know and
have appearance experience with state Administrative Law
Judges should your claim need to be appealed at ALJ.
However, DCS currently has a high success rate for winning
claims at the initial application and appeals reconsideration
levels. We know our job and do it well. Our Fees
DCS is paid only when we win your case. Our contingency fee
will be paid to us by you when you receive your retroactive
money from Social Security. Should you not be entitled to
any back fees, we will always agree to a fee in advance
indicated in the fee agreement.
DCS uses the FEE AGREEMENT approval system rather than a
FEE PETITION. You will be asked to sign a FEE AGREEMENT
submitted to Social Security for approval along with your
initial application package. When we win your case, our fee
will be twenty-five percent (25%) of the back due benefits,
subject to a maximum fee limit, which as of June 22, 2009,
is $6,000.
Fees and rates for acting as an authorized representative
for Social Security are set by the Federal Government. Fees
charged by DCS are the same as those charged by other
sources of assisted representation. However, as stated in
our FEE AGREEMENT, we are paid nothing until we win your
case. We are happy to have you as an SSDI initial or appeal
reconsideration applicant.
SSDI AND PRIVATE DISABILITY CLAIMS
DCS is also unique for those who also have private
disability claims with major U.S. insurers. Since nearly
all employer-sponsored group ERISA policies require the
application for SSDI, there is no duplication of the
process in the obtaining medical records and completing
forms.
DCS simply manages your SSDI application as well as any
case management issues with companies such as Unum, Met
Life, The Standard, The Hartford, CIGNA, Aetna and many
others. DCS has the opportunity to not only represent you
with SSA, but coordinate awarded benefits with your
disability insurer. Fees for disability claims and case
management are in addition to the fees charged for SSDI
applications.
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