How do Social Security Disability Lawyers Get Paid in Pennsylvania?

On This Page

1. Attorney's Fees Come Out of Social Security Disability Back Payments
2. The Legal Limits on Fees for Disability Lawyers in Pennsylvania
3. Our PA Social Security Attorney Can Seek the Disability Benefits You Deserve
4. Talk to an Attorney from Berger and Green About Your Disability Application

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

November 11, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Social Security Disability lawyers in Pennsylvania get paid on a contingency fee basis. This means they get paid only if clients recover the benefits or payout they deserve. Berger and Green’s Social Security Disability lawyers get paid based on the limits set by federal law and according to the process allowed under that law.

If we cannot secure disability benefits on your behalf, you will not pay us for legal representation. Disability applicants do not have to pay upfront fees or retainer fees to work with a Social Security disability lawyer from Berger and Green. 

Attorney’s Fees Come Out of Social Security Disability Back Payments

When you apply for Social Security Disability benefits and then receive a denial notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA), it can often take a year or more for the reconsideration stage and an appeal hearing. During this time, your benefits continue to accrue from the date of your disability onset date and following any applicable waiting periods.

How much back pay (retroactive benefits) you may get at the time of approval depends on several factors, including:

• The onset date of your disability
• The date you filed for disability
• Whether you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)  or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Federal law allows Pennsylvania Social Security Disability lawyers to take only a small portion of these back pay benefits — up to a set amount — as payment for handling your claim. If your case requires additional appeals to higher courts, your attorney may petition to take reasonable fees above this amount. Charging you more than the legal maximum requires approval based on the specific details of your case.

The Legal Limits on Fees for Disability Lawyers in Pennsylvania

In most Pennsylvania Social Security Disability cases, federal laws only allow an lawyer to charge the lesser of:

• 25% of your back pay or past due benefits or
• $7,200

When an attorney handles your disability appeal, the Social Security Administration will require the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ), who hears your appeal, to approve your fee agreement with your attorney. Generally, this standard agreement includes 25 percent of your back pay. In fact, the Social Security Administration will often withhold this portion and give it to your lawyer instead.

If it appears that 25 percent of your back pay will be more than $7,200 or the current legal limit, it will instead hold the legal maximum. For example, imagine your back pay totals $12,000. The Social Security Administration will withhold $3,000 of your back pay for our attorney. If your back pay totals $35,000, the Social Security Administration would only withhold the maximum fee, $7,200.

Our PA Social Security Attorney Can Seek the Disability Benefits You Deserve

If you cannot work your job because of a medical condition or impairment that prevents you from earning a living, Berger and Green can help you:

• Understand the Social Security Disability benefits you can apply for (Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Complete and file your initial disability benefits application
• Request reconsideration if there is an initial denial of your claim
• Request an appeal hearing if necessary 
• Represent you during your appeal hearing

As a part of our initial consultation with you, we will explain how our fees work under the contingency fee agreement. We will also explain the federal laws that limit how much we can charge and go over our payment agreement with you in as much detail as necessary. We are always transparent about how much your case will cost and how we will recover our attorney’s fees.

Our legal team may also be able to pursue additional compensation on your behalf, handling a personal injury case on a contingency fee basis. If your impairment occurred because of injuries you suffered in a personal injury accident, we can investigate your case and may be able to hold the at-fault party liable. Call us today to learn more.

Talk to an Attorney from Berger and Green About Your Disability Application

If you are having trouble making ends meet because you cannot work, Berger and Green can help you pursue Social Security Disability benefits. We will handle the application and appeals process while you focus on your health. We will review your case during a free legal consultation and complete and file your claim if we accept it.

We have helped Pennsylvanians resolve their legal matters for more than 40 years. If you have received a claim denial letter from the SSA, we can review it and request reconsideration to start the appeals process. We urge you to let us take a look at your case today. You have just 60 days to challenge the SSA’s denial decision.

Call to talk to a member of the Berger and Green team during a complimentary consultation about Social Security Disability benefits today. There is no fee unless we win your claim for benefits.