You are here: Home > Maximum attorney fees in Social Security disability cases

Maximum attorney fees in Social Security disability cases

By on 05/13/2009 in Building a Case

maximum attorney feesWhat is the most a lawyer can charge in a Social Security case?

We have talked about the typical fee agreement when you are applying for Social Security disability benefits before. But I am often asked what is maximum someone can charge?

Social Security regulations set a cap for attorneys fees.  Originally, the fee cap was $4,000, then $5,300, and as of June 2009, the cap is $6,000.

Unless the representative is charging fees under a fee petition, the most the lawyer can charge is 6,000. Or, if you are reading this before June 2009, $5,300. 

For more information, check out all the articles dealing with attorney’s / lawyer’s fees.

=========================================================
Disclaimer: This is NOT legal advice. This site provides general information about Social Security disability cases in Colorado. To discuss your particular circumstances, please contact a lawyer in your area. Please review the full disclaimer .

About Tomasz Stasiuk

Tomasz Stasiuk is a Colorado Springs Social Security disability lawyer and the founding attorney of the Stasiuk Firm - a law firm specializing in Social Security disability cases in Colorado. Follow Tomasz Stasiuk on Google and Twitter
View all posts by Tomasz Stasiuk →

, ,

  • Sgabriel24

    if it is a max of 6000.00, why did my award letter state the government is withholding 13250.00 for my rep?

  • http://www.stasiukfirm.com/ TomaszStasiuk

    Well, withholding and paying-out are not the same thing. Often SSA will withhold 25% of the past due benefits, even if the amount is greater than the fee cap ($6k). SSA will then pay the fees and return the excess to the claimant. 

    However, I would encourage you to check the amount on the letter, to make sure it wasn’t $1,325 instead of $13,250. It could conceivably be $13k, but that would mean the back benefits would have to be around $53k, which would be a high amount. If the total amount is $53k, then congratulations indeed! However, fees are capped at $6k unless the attorney files and wins a fee petition.

    You can also check the award letter for the back benefits amount and then do some quick math to see what 25% of that is. If the letter does not specify to total back benefit amount, you can also call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 and they should be able to tell you.

x

Call BEFORE you apply! -- (719) 359-9311

Get a no-cost in office evaluation of your Colorado Social Security disability case. We help our clients file for Social Security disability benefits the right way the first time!
Aakash Web Announcer plugin