What if I don't have any money to pay an attorney?

You should hire an attorney who works strictly on a contingent fee basis. While no attorney may charge more than 25% of back benefits awarded (up to a maximum fee cap established by federal law), some attorneys may charge a consultation fee or a retainer fee before any work is done on the case.

Louis B. Lusk does not require any such up–front fee, and his attorney fee is paid only if he wins the case and the client recovers back, or past–due, benefits. In other words, the client pays nothing out of pocket to hire Louis B. Lusk, who gets paid only if he wins the case and back benefits are awarded. (The Social Security Administration must also approve the fee agreement before any attorney fee is taken out of back benefits.)