You don’t pay unless you win. If you win, the fee is 25% of your back pay.

1. Why should I Hire Drummond Law?
   Going into a Social Security claim without a lawyer is ill-advised. We know what it takes to win a case, know the judges and know what they expect and we deliver. We have over 30 years of experience trying SSD/SSI cases successfully. Your responsibilities as a client are to keep in touch with us and treat with your doctors. We handle most of the paperwork required from Social Security, we send letters on your behalf and overall obtain and manage your file from Social Security, from your doctors and whatever else it will take to win your claim and try to get you approved as soon as possible.
   
   
2. What is SSI and SSD?
   Simply speaking, SSI is a disability program that is often for people that have never worked substantially, at least not recently. In some ways it is very similar to public aid since it is based on how much income or assets a person has. The money paid in an SSI claim is reduced by any income or assets a person has. SSD is the same thing as if the Claimant were age 65 and retiring. It is not based on income, you could be a millionaire and draw SSD. Generally, our clients apply for both and get the higher paying of the two.
   
   
3. How do I apply for SSI or SSD?
   You can go to your local Social Security office to apply in person or you can call and make and appointment to file first or you can also file for SSD online. We can help you at any stage of this process”.
   
   
   
   
   
4. How can I Hire Drummond Law?
   Call to set up an appointment or you can call in for a phone consultation. You can hire us as your attorneys at any point in time. You do not have to wait to be denied. The earlier we get involved, the better able we are to help you win your claim. A brief free evaluation online, in person or on the telephone is all that is necessary.
   
   
5. What does Social Security mean when they say I have to be disabled to collect benefits?
   Answer should be “The technical definition that Social Security uses for disability is that you have to be able to do any type of meaningful work for 12 months due to either physical or mental impairment or a combination of the two. As a practical matter, to be safe, it is not usually sufficient to show you simply can’t do your past job, you have to show you can’t do any job, anywhere in the country, even for minimum wage on a sustained basis. In the even that there are jobs available that you could perform based upon your age, training and physical capabilities, you are often found to be not disabled. At Drummond Law, it is our job to document the full extent of your disability.
   
   According to Social Security data, the average percentage of people approved, when they appeal thier first denial (known as a reconsideration determination) is less than 15%.  Call us, we can help.  The sooner you care, the better our chances of being able to help you win your case.
   
   
6. How much money do I have to pay up front?
   NONE! No money exchanges hands between you and us. We collect a fee only if you win. We charge a fee of 25% of your back pay or $5,300.00 whichever is less.  If 25% of your back pay is more than $5,300.00, we only receive $5,300.00 because that is the cap set by the Social Security Administration. You don’t pay unless you win.
   
   
7. How can I speed up the process to get to a hearing?
   When your file has been denied and you are awaiting a scheduled hearing date, you are able to expedite your hearing if your condition has become fatal or if you are homeless or are about to become homeless. Yet another reason to have a good attorney like the ones we have here is that we can determine if your file is capable of winning before a judge before an expedited hearing is requested.
   
   
8. How long do I have to appeal?
   After you have been denied at any stage in the process, the appeal period currently is sixty days.
   
   
9. Aren’t my medical records or a letter from my doctor good enough to win?
   Unfortunately, usually no. Doctors almost never are familiar with the actual Social Security Regulations involving particular medical impairments. Many doctors mistakenly think they know the law and are often incorrect. Unless you know the law and how it applies to your particular disability or combination of disabilities, getting a letter from your doctor yourself could actually hurt your claim. This is particularly true if you have multiple doctors that treat you for multiple problems. Normally, at Drummond Law, we like to control the medical reports and the medical documentation so that if a report is necessary from a treating physician, it is phrased in the appropriate statutory language to give you the best chance of winning claim.
   
   
10. What type of medical coverage can I get if I win?
    If you win your disability claim and have been disabled for a 24 month period, you can get a Medicare card as if you were age 65. If you get SSI only, you usually qualify for a state Medicaid card.
    
    
11. What happens at a hearing before a judge?
    Most of the hearings are different and judges have different methods for conducting hearings. Often the government will call witnesses including vocational experts or medical experts to testify. Drummond Law has over 30 years of experience in cross examining these experts to best optimize your chance of having your claim awarded.  We are familiar with each judges preference and know what each one needs.
    
    
12. Can your office help me if I am already receiving benefits for SSI or SSD but have received a notice that my benefits are about to be cut off because the Social Security Administration no longer believes I am disabled?
    Yes. Call us. This is what is called a “Cessation claim”. If you are unable to work at any job and are still disabled, we can file a “Cessation claim”. Upon doing this, you can ask that your benefits be continued until a hearing is held by a Judge.
    
    
13. When I am awarded benefits, how long do I have to wait to get them?
    Most of the time, if your situation is not especially complicated, the waiting time is about 60 days. It is also a good idea to sign up for direct deposit as soon as you are awarded benefits so that you will get your checks sooner.
    
    
14. How many times will I be denied?
    That depends. There is an initial application and If you are denied there, you can ask for reconsideration in Illinois.  If your initial application is denied you can ask for a hearing, unless you live Missouri.  In Missouri, you may request an appeal.   The whole process often takes two years or more. The final stage is normally a hearing in front of a judge. In the event you are denied by a judge an appeal can be taken to the appeals council and if meritorious, appeal to the federal district court.
    
    
15. Can’t someone besides a lawyer help me?
    People can help you but if they are not lawyers there are things they cannot do. They are prohibited from practicing law and if an appeal is necessary at the Federal District Court, they cannot do that because they do not have a license to practice law. At Drummond Law, we feel that college education (7 years total) and 30 years experience puts us at a particularly advantageous position to optimize your chance of winning your claim.
    
    
16. What makes a winning case?
    There is no clear answer for that.   All cases are different and that is why you need the assistance of trained and experienced professionals like us, at Drummond Law L.L.C.