DAWA Disability Advocates work on a contingency fee basis. The standard contingency fee set by congress states that Advocates are limited to 25% of the past-due benefits paid to the claimant (and any beneficiaries on his or her account) up to a maximum of $6,000, but whichever is less.
For example, if the past due benefits are $10,000, the Social Security Disability advocate’s fee would be $2,500.00, which is 25% of $10,000. If the claimant is awarded $100,000 in past-due disability benefits, the advocate’s fee would NOT be $25,000, but would be limited to $6,000 because of the fee cap. Claimants owe no fee to their disability advocates unless the claim is won and past due benefits are awarded.
Under the fee agreement process, claimants do not pay any fees “up front.” Social Security Disability fees are only owed if the claim is approved and past-due benefits are awarded by the Social Security Administration. Such an arrangement is called a contingent fee agreement because payment is contingent upon the claim being approved and past due benefits awarded.