Even if you have represented yourself up to the point of filing a request for an ALJ hearing, having an attorney on your behalf at the hearing may be the most important decision you make. An experienced attorney can help you prepare your case and can look for anything in your records that may strengthen your case. Most of all, the attorney knows what a Judge is looking for and can provide guidance to you.
A lawyer can help to prepare both the case and you for a hearing in front of an Administrative Law Judge. He can gather experts and other necessary witnesses. Additionally, he can help you to be prepared for the hearing and advise you as to what you can expect both during the hearing and afterward. Additionally, he can shape your case to fit into the grid rules or is a contender for an argument for reduced functional capacity. There are certain winning strategies that only an experienced attorney would know about and these could mean the difference between winning and losing a case.
Statistics have shown that unrepresented claimants are usually denied benefits after the hearing. It may be because the paperwork was not filled out correctly, the medical evidence was not strong enough, or the disability was not qualified. Whatever the reason, it is always best to have someone familiar with the process represent your interests before the Judge. Remember, if you are denied, you owe nothing to the lawyer for his service.
An attorney can not only help you to understand the disability process and hopefully, succeed in getting your benefits, but can also answer questions, prepare you for a hearing, and simply act as your personal advocate. Believing that you do not need an attorney or that you can not afford it are two mistakes to definitely avoid. Claimants who are represented at hearings are more likely to be successful than those who are not. Further, since disability attorneys work on a contingency basis, you can afford their representation, as you will only pay a fee if you win. Finding a lawyer can be the most important decision you make in the entire process and can also help you to avoid other mistakes that may derail your claim.