Who Binder & Binder Is and What They Handle

Binder & Binder is a law firm that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They operate in all 50 states and handle cases at every stage: initial claims, reconsiderations, hearings before an Administrative Law Judge, and appeals to the Appeals Council. The firm works on contingency, meaning you pay them only if you win your case.

The firm was founded in 1973 and is one of the largest disability law practices in the country. They employ staff attorneys, paralegals, and case managers who work directly on your file. Unlike some practices that are run by a single attorney, Binder & Binder has multiple offices and a structured team approach to case handling.

Key Takeaways

  • Binder & Binder charges a contingency fee capped by federal law at 25 percent of your back pay, with a maximum of $7,200 as of 2024 (the cap adjusts yearly).
  • They handle cases at all stages of the SSDI and SSI process, from initial denial through Appeals Council review.
  • You can contact them by phone, online form, or in person at one of their offices; they will review your case and tell you whether they can represent you.
  • Their fee agreement is a standard Social Security form that you sign before they begin work, and you can terminate the agreement at any time.
  • If you already have a lawyer, switching to Binder & Binder requires written notice to Social Security and the previous attorney.

How Binder & Binder's Fee Structure Works

Binder & Binder charges a contingency fee, which means they collect payment only if you win benefits. The fee is capped by federal law and cannot exceed 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed to you from the date you became disabled to the date benefits begin). The dollar cap on the fee is set by Social Security each year; for 2024, the maximum fee is $7,200, regardless of how much back pay you receive.

Before they begin work, you sign a fee agreement on Form SSA-1696-U6, the official Social Security representative's fee agreement. This form is filed with Social Security and tells them who your lawyer is. You do not pay an upfront retainer or hourly rate. If your case is denied at every stage, you owe Binder & Binder nothing.

When you win, Social Security pays your back pay to your lawyer's trust account first. Binder & Binder deducts their fee from that money and sends you the remainder. You will receive an itemized statement showing the total back pay, the fee charged, and the amount paid to you. This process typically takes two to four weeks after Social Security issues the award.

What Happens When You Hire Binder & Binder

After you contact Binder & Binder and they agree to represent you, a case manager or paralegal will be assigned to your file. They will request your medical records, work history, and any prior Social Security correspondence. You will be asked to complete a detailed questionnaire about your medical conditions, treatment, and how your conditions affect your ability to work.

Binder & Binder will review your medical evidence and determine the next step based on where your case stands. If you have been denied and are within the reconsideration window (60 days from the denial notice), they may file a reconsideration request. If that window has closed, they will prepare for a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. They will also order any additional medical records they believe are necessary and may request a consultative examination if gaps exist in your medical history.

You will have periodic contact with your case manager, though the frequency depends on the stage of your case. During the hearing preparation phase, contact typically increases. Binder & Binder will prepare you for the hearing, explain what to expect, and discuss the evidence they plan to present. They will also determine whether to request a medical or vocational informed witness at the hearing.

Stages of Cases Binder & Binder Handles

Binder & Binder represents clients at the initial claim stage, though this is less common because many people do not hire a lawyer until after a denial. If you do hire them at the start, they will help you gather medical evidence and submit a complete process to Social Security.

At the reconsideration stage, after an initial denial, Binder & Binder will file a request for reconsideration within 60 days of your denial notice. This stage involves submitting new or updated medical evidence to a different Social Security examiner. Reconsideration is rarely successful (approval rates are typically below 15 percent), but Binder & Binder will pursue it if they believe new evidence strengthens your case.

The hearing stage is where most Binder & Binder cases are decided. An Administrative Law Judge will hold a hearing, usually by video or phone, where you testify about your conditions and limitations. Binder & Binder's attorney will question you and present evidence, and may call informed witnesses. Approval rates at the hearing stage are significantly higher than at earlier stages, typically 40 to 60 percent depending on the judge and the strength of your medical evidence.

If the judge denies your case, Binder & Binder can file an appeal to the Appeals Council, which reviews the judge's decision for legal error. Appeals Council approval is uncommon, but they will pursue this step if they believe the judge made a mistake in explore the law.

How to Contact Binder & Binder and What to Expect

You can reach Binder & Binder by phone at 1-800-992-6047, through their website contact form, or by visiting one of their local offices. When you call, you will speak with an intake representative who will ask basic questions about your case: your age, the date you became unable to work, your medical conditions, and whether you have already been denied by Social Security.

Based on this initial conversation, Binder & Binder will tell you whether they believe your case has merit and whether they can represent you. They do not take every case; if they decline, they will usually explain why and may suggest alternatives. If they agree to represent you, you will be scheduled for a more detailed consultation, either by phone or in person, to sign the fee agreement and begin gathering your medical records.

The intake process typically takes one to two weeks from your first call to the signed fee agreement. After that, your case manager will contact you to begin collecting records and information. Response times for case updates vary, but you should expect to hear from your case manager at least once a month, and more frequently as your hearing date approaches.

Switching Lawyers or Terminating Representation

If you already have a lawyer and want to switch to Binder & Binder, you must notify Social Security in writing. You will need to file a new fee agreement with Binder & Binder on Form SSA-1696-U6, which automatically terminates your previous lawyer's representation. You should also send a written notice to your previous lawyer informing them that you are changing representation.

If you hire Binder & Binder and later want to terminate the relationship, you can do so at any time by sending written notice to the firm. Once Social Security receives notice of termination, Binder & Binder's representation ends. If your case is later approved, you will owe them a fee only for the work they performed before termination, calculated as a percentage of back pay earned during the period they represented you.

Switching lawyers mid-case does not delay your case, but it can create confusion if records or evidence are split between two firms. Before switching, confirm that your new lawyer has received all relevant documents from your previous representation.

What Binder & Binder Cannot Do

Binder & Binder represents you in the Social Security disability process, but they cannot represent you in other matters. If you need help with Medicaid, Medicare, housing, or other benefits programs, you will need to contact those agencies or other organizations separately. They also cannot represent you in a civil lawsuit against Social Security, though such lawsuits are extremely rare and usually unsuccessful.

Binder & Binder cannot may provide an outcome. They will tell you honestly whether they believe your case is strong, but no lawyer can promise approval. The decision rests with the judge or Social Security examiner, based on the medical evidence and the law. If they tell you they may provide approval, that is a red flag and you should seek representation elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Binder & Binder, or can I represent myself?

You can represent yourself at any stage of the SSDI process. However, approval rates are significantly higher with legal representation, especially at the hearing stage. Many people find that the cost of a lawyer (paid only if they win) is worth the increased chance of approval.

What if Binder & Binder takes my case but I lose at the hearing?

You owe them nothing. The contingency fee applies only if you win. They can still appeal to the Appeals Council if they believe the judge made a legal error, and you would still owe no fee unless you eventually win.

How long does a case typically take with Binder & Binder?

Initial claims and reconsiderations usually take three to six months. Hearing cases typically take one to two years from the time you hire the lawyer to the hearing date, depending on the judge's schedule in your area. Appeals to the Appeals Council can take an additional six months to two years.

Can Binder & Binder represent me if I am already receiving SSI?

Yes. Binder & Binder handles both SSDI and SSI cases. If you are on SSI and appealing a reduction or termination of benefits, they can represent you in that process.

What happens if I move to a different state while Binder & Binder represents me?

Your representation continues. Binder & Binder operates in all 50 states, so moving does not require you to change lawyers. Your case manager will update your address and continue working on your case.