Social Security attorneys work on "Contingency", meaning that, in exchange for the work they do to help you secure compensation or disability, they will ask for a percentage of whatever your monetary award is from the case. The Social Security Administration sets the attorney fee at 25% of the back pay up to a maximum amount of $6,000 through the first administrative hearing. After the first administrative hearing, the maximum can be the full 25%.
Attorneys charge for expenses incurred on behalf of clients. These expenses typically include copying charges, long-distance phone charges, postage, faxes, court filing fees, expert witness fees, medical report fees, and other expenses associated with handling your case.
The Social Security Administration requires that attorneys submit a written fee agreement if they want the fee withheld from your back pay. You should expect your attorney to put the fee arrangement in writing. This will help you and your attorney clarify what you will be charged for, when you are expected to pay your invoices, and what you should do if you have a concern about fees.