Why Choose Us to Represent You or Your Loved One
Sadly, if you or your loved one has not reached retirement age and needs Social Security disability benefits for medical reasons, it must be proven that you (or they) are unable to work five days a week, eight hours a day. Although there is no way to prove how someone feels, our experienced team and representative will work to persuade those in positions of authority that you (or they) are unable to work.
The application process is meant to be user-friendly. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Without properly understanding all aspects of the application process, you can easily be derailed. That’s why we are here. In a great many instances, our staff can help you file your application from the beginning, assist you in completing it correctly, and alleviate any administrative errors that could hurt your case.
To accomplish this mission, we work to assemble all of the information needed so that the Social Security Administration can properly understand who you are as an individual, believe you, and understand that you are telling the truth when you say cannot work 5 days a week,8 hours a day.
Knowledge Is Power: What Others May Not Tell You
Now here is something Social Security representatives might not tell you: In some cases, it may not be necessary to hire a representative at the initial application stage. Some cases will clearly meet Social Security’s rules for disability. Our philosophy has always been “Why should you pay an attorney for doing little more than filing paperwork if you are willing, capable, and able to do it on your own?” This assessment can only be made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the individual issues in your case, the level of medical treatment, and the overall documented, objective severity of your illness.
Sometimes it only takes a meeting to figure that out. We encourage you to contact us to begin that assessment today. See what our clients have said about our firm.
Meet Your Social Security Disability Team
About Bruce
Bruce K. Billman, Esq.
Attorney at Law, Owner of Firm
Whether you are filing for disability benefits the first time or are appealing, Bruce K. Billman has 43 years of experience practicing law and the expertise you can trust to guide you through the claims process and get you the compensation you deserve. Bruce is here in person for you.
He believes strongly in:
- “eyeball-to-eyeball,”
- an informed client is an effective client, and
- clients need to be actively engaged in their own case.
Bruce is dedicated to insuring that his clients receive the best possible assessment, advice and aggressive representation about Social Security Disability. He takes seriously his role as not only an advocate, but his designation as “Counselor” At Law. All questions are answered honestly and forthrightly. All concerns are candidly confronted, addressed and discussed.
Bruce has represented thousands of Social Security disability clients at all levels of the Social Security Administration and federal courts since entering the practice of law in 1979. He was President of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representative (NOSSCR) with a membership of more than 4,000 attorneys in 1999 – 2000. He remains on the Council of Past Presidents and is a frequent, entertaining speaker at nationwide conferences on Social Security Disability issues.
Bruce obtained his BA from Mercer University magna cum laude in 1976 and graduated from the Walter F. George School of law in the top third of his class in June, 1979. He has been a member of the Virginia State Bar since April, 1987. He has maintained his own law practice in the Fredericksburg, Richmond, and Winchester, Virginia locales since 1994.
Favorite Quote: “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”
About Tricia
Patricia Chestnut “Tricia”
Administrator
Tricia helps navigate the Social Security disability process, from understanding the rules and regulations, to providing guidance on what documentation may be needed, meeting with clients and managing the firm’s day-to-day operations.
Favorite thing about working here: “I like working at this firm because Bruce and his team are very honest, compassionate, and hard-working. Bruce truly “cares” about all of his clients and their families. And in turn, he treats me and our other team members like family. It’s a joy to work here.”
Favorite Quote: “Help Me, Help You”
About Teresa
Teresa B. Young
Accounting and Finance
Teresa is the newest member of the firm. She’s only been here ELEVEN YEARS!!!! She claims she could not live up to the expectations of her business school teachers but she did “manage to become successful at keeping the books” – AND she knows her calculator! But really she pays attention to details. She works primarily on the end of things after you’ve won your case. Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over until it’s over” and Teresa can absolutely tell you that’s true. Bruce’s job is to get SSA to admit they were wrong and you were right. A big part of Teresa’s job is to get them to then write the check (and send it to the right address….well, these days, bank account).Teresa has picked up a lot of over her 11 years with the team. That means she’s always happy to help you or your family member anytime Bruce or Tricia aren’t available. Teresa Young has over thirty years of bookkeeping and progressively responsible management experience in the areas of personnel and finance.
Favorite thing about working here: Helping others!
Favorite Quote: “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strengths”
About Hank
Surveillance Officer and Goodwill Ambassador
Hank’s duties include oversight of building defense platforms and safeguarding the firm and its clients. Don’t be alarmed, Hank believes in securing a perimeter using discreet methods of customer engagement and interfacing.
Hank truly puts the “social” in security.
Favorite thing about working here: When I’ve had a “ruff” day, staff TREAT me extra-special.
Favorite Quote: Every dog has his day…(in court)