To become a social security attorney, students must complete extensive schooling and training, and they should begin preparing early in their academic careers. Employees in social security law must be educated in elder-care studies, which sets them apart from other legal professions. Government and political science are subjects that should be studied as early as high school, if they are available. Students would also benefit from researching social security topics in order to become more familiar with government assistance for the elderly and disabled.
To help a student become a social security attorney, a four-year university should be chosen based on pre-legal and geriatric studies. Economics, communication, history, legal approaches, and other general law studies may be offered in addition to general coursework. Undergraduate studies should primarily aim for a Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in political science or criminal justice. Other majors are acceptable for law school admission, but these two degrees are more relevant to social security law. Some countries require students to take an admissions test before enrolling in law school, which they can study for during their undergraduate studies.
Before entering specific field courses, law school usually begins with general legal studies to familiarize students with the legal system. Students will shift their focus after two years of general coursework to classes such as geriatric psychology, political science theory, and classes that teach various aspects of social security law. Topics such as derivative benefits for children, retirement and disability benefits, reform, judicial review, and continuing earnings, age, and benefits may be covered in programs that teach students about social security benefits. Increased knowledge of all aspects of social security will broaden his or her job opportunities as a social security attorney.
After graduating from law school, the student will be awarded a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and will begin studying for bar exams in various jurisdictions. These tests are required in order to become a social security attorney and legally practice law in one’s community. Each jurisdiction has its own set of laws and rules that students must learn in order to practice there. Attorneys for Social Security help disabled and elderly people fill out forms, obtain medical records, and prepare casework for appeals and disability hearings. The application process is complicated, and most people require the services of an attorney.