Social Security
Social Security disability is a government program that is designed to help
those who cannot continue working.
At our office, we have two people who represent injured people in Social
Security claims. Art has been a practicing attorney representing injured people
in Social Security Disability claims since 1984. Sonja Leverty is not an
attorney but rather a Claimant's Representative. She has been working on Social
Security Disability files since 2004. She has been representing injured people
in Social Security Disability claims since 2010. We both work together to give
our clients the best possible representation on their case.
Art Gage has been a member of the National Organization of Social Security
Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR) for over 10 years. Sonja Leverty is a member
of the National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR).
Both are also affiliated with the Tucson Social Security Claimants
Representatives organization called TOSSCR for many years. We regularly attend
the NOSSCR conferences concerning the Social Security practice and have fellow
Attorneys and Claimants Representatives throughout the country that we regularly
discuss issues concerning the practice of Social Security Disability.
How It Works
When you get limited to the point that you can no longer continue working, you
can file a claim for Social Security Disability benefits. Our office takes
claims at the initial level. You can meet with us and we will file the
application for you. Often times, it can be a long and involved process. There
is also important information that needs to be put in your application to assist
in the processing of the claim. If you are thinking about filing for Social
Security Disability benefits, please call us first and we can help you with your
application or appeal.
Once your application is completed, it will take 4 to 6 months for your local
office to process the application. You have approximately a 1 out of 3 chance of
the claim being accepted at the initial application. If you are denied, you will
receive a notice which indicates you have 60 days to file a request for
reconsideration. We also take cases at the request for reconsideration level. We
file a request for reconsideration which will take approximately 4 to 5 months
to get processed by Social Security. You have an 85% chance that your request
for reconsideration will be denied.
If your request for reconsideration is denied, then you have 60 days to request
a hearing. At the hearing, either Sonja Leverty or Art Gage will represent you
at the hearing. It will take approximately 12 months from the date of the filing
of the request for hearing before you appear in front of the Judge.
If you are denied at hearing, it is possible to appeal the case to the Appeals
Council and beyond or complete a new application. We also are willing to look at
cases at this level; however, I must caution you that most Representatives are
extremely selective in taking a case at this level. However, we must caution you
that most Representatives are extremely selective in taking a case at this
level.
Generally the older you are the better chance you have at Social Security
Disability. When we say older, we mean 50 or 55. A younger individual can win a
case; however, they need to prove severe limitations to be eligible. Your
limitations can be both mental and physical. You need objective evidence of your
conditions that limit you.
The way attorneys and Claimant Representatives are compensated, is usually based
off a percentage of the past-due benefits they are able to obtain for you.
Usually our fees are 25% of whatever past-due money compensation you would be
entitled to. In other words from the date of your filing the claim until the
date we win the case, our fee would come from 25% of whatever those benefits
total. There is a cap on the fee of $6000 which means that if 25% of the
past-due benefits is over $6000, then our fee is limited to $6000. There are
also costs which are in addition to the fee. These are usually not that high. If
the case is appealed to the federal district court, then there may be additional
fees.
We offer free consultations about your case. Please fill out our Free Evaluation
form above and we will contact you to speak with you further You are also
welcome to call our office at 520-881-8300 or 866-668-4097 and set up a free
consultation either over the phone or in person. Our address is 2573 N. 1st
Ave., Tucson, AZ. We are located about one block north of Grant and First Avenue
in Tucson Arizona on the west side of the street. We also take cases all over
the country concerning Social Security claims. Regardless of whether you live in
Arizona, please feel free to give us a call and we will be happy to discuss your
claim.
Social Security Administration
National Organization of Social Security Representatives
Social Security Terms
Social Security Handbook
Social Security Listings
The Red Book
Social Security Law
Social Security Regulations