Fees & Consultations
About Fees
Free Initial Consultation
There is no charge for the initial consultation and case review. I will review your situation first and explain any fees before work begins.
Clear Fees. No Charge for the Initial Consultation.
There is no charge for the initial consultation and case review. Before I quote any fee, I first need to understand where your Social Security matter stands, what has already been completed, what deadlines or notices are involved, and how much work will actually be required.
Every Social Security case is different. Some people may only need help understanding a notice, organizing records, completing paperwork, or preparing information for Social Security. Others may need formal representation through an appeal, reconsideration, benefit review, overpayment dispute, representative payee matter, or a hearing before a Social Security Administrative Law Judge.
For that reason, I do not give a one-size-fits-all fee before reviewing the case. After the initial consultation and review, I will explain what work is recommended, what type of service is involved, and provide a complete fee arrangement before moving forward.
My goal is to keep fees reasonable, understandable, and proportionate to the work that is actually needed.
Administrative Assistance
Many clients initially need administrative help rather than full representation.
Administrative assistance may include:
- reviewing Social Security notices and correspondence
- organizing case documents
- helping gather records and supporting information
- reviewing forms
- preparing timelines
- identifying missing documentation
- explaining SSA procedures
- helping the client understand what Social Security is requesting
Before administrative work begins, I will explain what I expect the work to involve and provide the client with the applicable fee arrangement.
Administrative assistance is different from formal representation before the Social Security Administration. If the matter reaches the point where formal representation is appropriate, that will be discussed separately before any representation begins.
Administrative Assistance
$125/ hour
Most routine administrative matters require approximately 1.5–2 hours, although the actual time depends on the complexity of the matter and the amount of documentation that must be reviewed.
Payment plans may be available for administrative costs when needed.
This rate applies to administrative assistance only — not to formal appointed-representative services before SSA.
Formal Representation Before Social Security
Some cases require more than administrative assistance.
Formal representation may include:
- communicating with Social Security on the claimant’s behalf
- reviewing the electronic claim file
- submitting evidence and written arguments
- handling appeals
- preparing the claimant for proceedings
- attending conferences or hearings
- representing the claimant before a Social Security Administrative Law Judge
When formal representation begins, the claimant generally appoints the representative by completing Form SSA-1696, Claimant’s Appointment of a Representative.
Form SSA-1696 tells Social Security who has been authorized to act as the claimant’s representative and allows SSA to communicate with that representative regarding the claim.
Being appointed as a representative also means that SSA’s rules governing representative fees apply.
Representation Fees Are Subject to SSA Rules
When Ronnie Shaw is formally appointed to represent a claimant before the Social Security Administration, fees for representational services are subject to SSA authorization. Depending on the case, this may involve an SSA-approved fee agreement or fee petition.
How Representation Fees Are Approved
A representative generally cannot simply charge and collect whatever fee the representative chooses for services provided before SSA.
In most situations, the fee must first be authorized by the Social Security Administration.
SSA provides two primary methods for authorizing a representative’s fee:
Fee Agreement
A fee agreement is a written agreement between the claimant and the appointed representative describing how the representative will be paid.
The agreement must generally be submitted to SSA before the first favorable determination or decision in the matter.
If SSA approves the agreement, the fee authorized under that agreement is the maximum fee that may be charged for the representational services covered by it.
Under the standard fee-agreement process, the authorized fee is generally limited to the lesser of:
- 25% of the claimant’s past-due benefits, or
- the maximum dollar amount established by SSA.
The current maximum under that process is $9,200 for favorable decisions issued on or after November 30, 2024.
That does not mean every case will result in a $9,200 fee.
The actual fee arrangement is discussed with the client based on the case and must comply with SSA rules.
Fee Petition
In some cases, a fee agreement is not used or cannot be approved.
In those situations, a representative may use the fee petition process.
A fee petition is normally filed after the representative’s work has been completed.
It describes the services performed and the amount of compensation being requested.
Social Security then determines and authorizes what it considers a reasonable fee for those services.
A representative may not use both processes for the same services. The fee-agreement and fee-petition processes are separate methods of obtaining SSA authorization.
What Happens During Intake?
The first step is a free consultation and case review.
During intake, I will normally review:
- the type of Social Security matter involved
- any notices or decisions you have received
- deadlines that may apply
- what stage the claim or appeal is currently in
- medical, financial, employment, or other supporting documentation that may be relevant
- work that has already been completed
- what additional work appears necessary
- whether the matter calls for administrative assistance, formal representation, or both
After reviewing the information, I will explain the recommended next steps and the applicable fee arrangement.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and understand the costs before deciding whether you want to proceed.
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Step 1
Free Consultation
Discuss the problem and review the basic facts.
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Step 2
Case Review
Review notices, deadlines, records, claim status and work already completed.
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Step 3
Service Recommendation
Determine whether administrative assistance or formal representation is appropriate.
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Step 4
Fee Explanation
Provide the applicable fee schedule or representation agreement before work begins.
No Surprise Fees
You should understand how fees will work before services begin.
The initial consultation is free.
After I review the case, I will explain what services appear necessary and provide the applicable fee schedule or representation agreement.
For administrative services, my normal rate is $125 per hour, and many routine matters require only 1.5 to 2 hours of administrative time.
If formal representation before SSA becomes necessary, the representation fee will be handled separately and in accordance with Social Security’s rules governing representative fees.
Ready to discuss your Social Security matter?
Start with a free consultation. Fees are explained after case review — before work begins.
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