Your Rights

Your Rights When Applying for Social Security Disability Benefits

If you are disabled and want to apply for Social Security Disability benefits (SSDI), you have important rights. Knowing these rights can help protect your claim. You have the right to:

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• Apply for Social Security Disability benefits for free

• Get help from the Social Security Administration (SSA) to fill out forms

• Get help from SSA to collect needed documents

• Ask someone to help you with your claim

• Bring that person with you to SSA appointments

• Choose a representative, such as an attorney or non-attorney

• Review or get copies of your Social Security records

• Receive a written decision explaining your benefits and payment amount

• Appeal most SSA decisions if you disagree

• Get a free interpreter if you do not speak English well

• Get help from SSA to request your medical records

• Receive copies of the laws and rules SSA uses to decide your claim

 

Your Rights When Hiring a Florida Social Security Disability Attorney

If you hire a Florida Social Security Disability lawyer, you also have rights under Florida law. You have the right to:

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• Hire an attorney who is qualified to handle your SSDI case

• Expect your attorney to act in your best interest

• Expect your attorney to keep your information private

• Make the final decisions about the goals of your case

• Receive clear information about legal fees

• Be treated with respect and courtesy

• Expect honest and independent legal advice

• Get updates about your case and copies of documents if you ask

• Expect ethical and professional behavior

• Be referred to another lawyer if your attorney cannot handle your case

 

Your Rights About Legal Fees and Costs

You have the right to:

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• Discuss and question your attorney’s fees

• Talk to other lawyers if you do not agree on fees

• Cancel a contingency fee agreement within three business days in Florida

• Know how and when you must pay legal costs

• Receive an estimate of future case expenses

• Decide how much money to spend on preparing your case

 

Your Rights During and After Your Case

You also have the right to:

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• Know your lawyer’s education and experience

• Ask who will work on your case

• Know if your case will be shared with another lawyer

• Talk to each lawyer involved in your case

• Ask questions about your case progress

• Be told about risks if you lose your case

• Review and approve a final closing statement

• Make the final decision on settlement offers

• Report unfair or illegal fees to The Florida Bar

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If you are disabled and need to apply for Social Security Disability Benefits, call Dean Burnetti Law at 863-287-6388 (Polk County) or 813-287-6388 (Hillsborough & Pinellas County) today to schedule your free consultation.