Social Security Disability Attorney’s Fees

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Receive a free initial consultation and only pay if your case gets approved

You do not have to pay any upfront fees for representation by one of our attorneys. Social Security Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis — we only get paid if you win your case.
If your case is approved and you are owed a lump-sum back payment, we will be paid a percentage of your retroactive benefits once they have been awarded to you.
We receive either up to 25% of your back pay or US$7,200 — whichever is lower — as set by the Social Security Administration. The Commissioner of Social Security announced a fee cap increase from $7,200 to $9,200. The fee cap increase will take effect on November 30, 2024.
All of your future benefits are yours. We will never take any fee or percentage of your future monthly benefits.
We typically pay upfront for any additional fees related to your case, such as medical record retrieval, and will only bill you once your benefits have been awarded to you, meaning you will have no out-of-pocket expenses during the claim process.

The Social Security Disability legal fee payment process

Attorney’s fees are 25% of your first retroactive payment; however, fees are capped at US$7,200 regardless of how much money you are owed by the Social Security Administration (SSA). After November 30, 2024, the maximum attorney’s fees are capped at $9,200. It should be noted that there is no upfront fee when you start the Social Security Disability claim process and no ongoing fee after you’ve won your case. As the SSA can take several years to adjudicate a disability claim, disability claimants are often entitled to a large check for retroactive benefits for the period in which they were waiting for their claim to be decided. Our fees automatically come out of that first retroactive check, meaning our clients never have to pay us directly.

In Social Security Disability cases, a contingency fee agreement is particularly important for people who are dealing with physical and emotional problems in addition to suffering the financial hardships imposed by medical bills and the inability to work due to disability.

How it works:

Complete the form so we can learn more about your situation.
We will reach out within 48 hours to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an attorney.
If your case can be pursued, we’ll start working on it.
We only get paid if your case is approved.

How we can help:

NO FEES UNLESS YOU WIN.

At LaPorte Law Firm, we only receive a fee if you win your case – so you have nothing to lose. We’re with you every step of the way.

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Frequently asked questions on Social Security Disability attorney’s fees

Do I have to pay anything upfront when hiring an attorney to represent my Social Security Disability case?

No, there is no upfront fee, as Social Security Disability attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means they only get paid when you win your case.

What should be in a fee agreement?

When hiring a disability attorney, a fee agreement is usually signed on a contingency basis, placing a limit on the attorney’s fee and allowing the SSA to pay the attorney if the case is approved.

Are there any costs associated with the case that I need to pay out of pocket?

While being represented by an attorney, there are often costs involved relating to documentation that needs to be requested, such as medical, work, and other required records. Certain legal representatives require their clients to pay for these costs in addition to the fee they will receive from the client’s back pay, and sometimes require the costs to be paid upfront. However, it is more common for attorneys to front these costs for their clients and then bill them for these costs once the case has been closed.

At LaPorte Law Firm, for the vast majority of cases, we pay upfront for any additional costs and bill clients at the end of the case once they get their award, ensuring no out-of-pocket expenses will be required from clients during the claim process.

When hiring legal representation for a Social Security Disability claim, it’s important to clarify whether you will be responsible for out-of-pocket expenses on top of the attorney’s fee and what types of expenses will be included.

Who will pay my attorney once the case is won?

Attorney’s fees automatically come out of the first retroactive payment of a disability award received by a client.

What is the maximum amount a Social Security Disability attorney can charge me?

As mandated by the SSA, attorney’s fees are capped at US$7,200. After November 30, 2024, the maximum attorney’s fees are capped at $9,200.

How is disability back pay calculated?

The amount of back pay owed to clients differs for SSDI and SSI. For SSDI, back pay includes retroactive benefits owed to the client from the date their benefits were approved up to the date their disability began (limited to 12 months prior to the application date), as determined by the SSA. However, for SSI, benefits are calculated from the date of approval of benefits to the month after applying for benefits.

Do I need to continue paying my lawyer on my future monthly Social Security Disability payments if my case is approved?

No, there are no ongoing fees after your case has been approved. Once the attorney has received their portion of the back pay benefits, no additional fees are required.

What if my disability case is denied? Do I still have to pay my attorney?

No, your attorney will not be able to charge a fee unless your case is successful, as Social Security requires disability cases to be done on a contingency basis.

Award-winning service

Equipped with years of experience and thousands of successful cases, LaPorte Law Firm is the leading disability firm in the Bay Area, and we have the awards and certifications to prove it.