Brownsville, Texas – The Social Security Administration is set to increase the fee cap for attorneys representing claimants seeking past due benefits, potentially impacting the cost of legal support for applicants.
These fee adjustments are expected to enhance the quality of legal assistance available to claimants, improving their chances of receiving positive outcomes when pursuing backpay and owed monies. With the fee cap set to rise from $7,200 to $9,200, effective this fall, claimants may face higher costs for legal representation during the application or appeal process.
According to experts like Charles T. Hall, a partner at Hall & Rouse specializing in social security disability law, the increased fees may vary depending on the duration and complexity of the case. While the cost of filing a claim remains unchanged, attorney fees could potentially increase, particularly in cases spanning multiple years and resulting in substantial back benefits for claimants.
The move to lift the fee cap has been deemed necessary by some specialists, who believe that the previous fee levels had hindered access to quality representation for disabled individuals seeking assistance from the SSA. Burt Williamson, a retirement specialist at PlanPrep, noted that the fee increase, although significant, was long overdue after years of minimal adjustments.
The SSA disclosed that representatives’ fees will be deducted from past due benefits received by claimants and must be approved by the agency through a fee agreement process. With the backlog of cases leading to lengthy waiting periods for decisions and appeals, the SSA aims to reduce the wait time to expedite the process for applicants.
While the prior fee cap failed to keep up with inflation and constrained claimants’ ability to secure experienced legal support, the revised fee structure is anticipated to make hiring attorneys more accessible. Hall emphasized that the adjustment could ease the challenges faced by claimants in finding personalized and effective legal representation throughout their interaction with the SSA.
The shift in fee regulations is expected to have a positive impact on claimants’ ability to engage legal assistance more seamlessly, potentially improving their experience and outcomes when navigating the complex process of applying for social security benefits.