Allsup Inc

I began working with Allsup near the end of 2012 because my long-term disability company connected me with them and let me know that if I did not file for Social Security at that time, I would no longer be able to receive benefits from them. At first I didn't have any real problems with the company. The entire disability process is extremely stressful and I was connected with a fairly compassionate and helpful individual and another very nice lady helped to fill out the necessary forms over the phone. After only a short period of time, my long-term disability company decided to step away, which, of course, caused severe financial hardship, more stress and led to changes at how Allsup treated me. I received a letter stating that my original representative would no longer be able to handle my case. Here are the things you need to know about the company. There is a lot of paperwork that is only partially filled out, that you are expected to sign and return. My representation fee went UP after my long-term disability company left. The person that was supposedly handling my case (I barely saw his name anywhere) I never spoke to. Not Once. I had to do a lot of leg work, taking paperwork to my doctors to have filled out and sent in. The only communication I received for a long time was when I would call them to update some of my information. They people you call into never, ever know what other people within the company are really doing. This is true from the beginning, through the billing situation. When I finally received notification of a hearing, Allsup asked us to push it out, but I had thankfully already returned the paperwork to Social Security on my own. I called repeatedly in the few weeks leading up to my hearing, but was never able to speak to my representative to become prepared. I only spoke to this new gentleman the night before my hearing after calling Allsup again in is desperation. We met this man about 30 minutes before the hearing, at which time he even stated that he was not familiar with my case and asked a LOT of questions. He was unfamiliar with some of my conditions and even stated things wrong while we were in my hearing. I had to try to correct and/clarify these things the best I could when I was questioned by the judge and impartial witnesses. As far as I could tell, he was there because he knew the different code numbers for things and I did not. This company knows the ins and outs of how to get the most money out of you. They continue to be very unhelpful after the hearing, but finally start to call you for once since they are trying to collect money. Going through the disability process is already terrifying and stressful and these people seem to make it more so around even corner. There are still some attorneys that will handle disability cases. I'd say stick with them if possible. You will get your results faster and easier and they can only charge the same amount. If nothing else, make sure to find someone to handle it that you can speak to face to face at times to get updates instead of a letter every 3 months or so. At the end of the case, I was supposed to get help for filing for my dependents also. I had it done long before they ever sent me any paperwork, and only then realized that they were going to try to take a portion of that back pay too (I did not end up receiving any for that, and boy did they sound disappointed and surprised.) I felt helpless and stuck, but others do not have to get in that situation. I hope this helps someone. They receive a C for price because it is federally set, but they also milked it. They only really get marked up at all because I did end up getting my disability, but both impartial witnesses were understanding of my situation and recommended it, I have a LOT of "conditions", and the judge was very thorough when speaking to me and making sure he had an accurate grasp on how I am.