What a Social Security disability law firm does

A Social Security disability law firm represents people in claims for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability. These firms handle the paperwork, gather medical evidence, prepare you for hearings, and argue your case in front of an administrative law judge if your initial claim is denied.

The Dee Hansberry Law Firm is one example of a firm that takes Social Security disability cases. Like other disability law firms, it works on what's called a "contingency fee" arrangement — meaning the firm gets paid only if you win your case, and the payment comes from your back pay (the money owed to you from the date you became disabled), not from your pocket upfront.

Most people who file for SSDI or SSI are denied the first time. A lawyer's job is to strengthen your case by organizing your medical records, finding doctors willing to write detailed statements about your condition, and presenting evidence in a way that meets the Social Security Administration's strict standards.

Key Takeaways

  • Disability law firms are paid only if you win, and the fee comes from your back pay, capped by federal law at 25 percent of back pay or $7,200, whichever is less.
  • You can represent yourself in a Social Security disability case, but the denial rate is much higher for people without a lawyer.
  • A disability lawyer's main job is gathering medical evidence and preparing you to testify at a hearing before an administrative law judge.
  • You can switch lawyers or fire your current lawyer at any time, though doing so late in the process may delay your case.
  • Before hiring any firm, check whether it is authorized to represent you by looking it up in the Social Security Administration's directory of representatives.

How disability law firms charge for their work

Disability law firms do not charge you an upfront fee or hourly rate. Instead, they take a percentage of your back pay if you win. Federal law caps this fee at 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is smaller. If your back pay is $20,000, the firm takes $5,000 (25 percent). If your back pay is $30,000, the firm takes $7,200 (the cap), not $7,500.

Some firms also charge you for "costs" — things like ordering your medical records, paying for a doctor to review your file, or filing court documents. These costs are separate from the attorney fee and come out of your back pay as well. The firm should tell you in writing what costs they expect to charge before they start work.

If you lose your case, you owe the firm nothing. This is why contingency fees exist: the firm only makes money if it wins, so it has a reason to take your case seriously and turn down cases it thinks will fail.

What happens when you hire a disability lawyer

Once you hire a firm like Dee Hansberry, the first step is usually gathering your medical records. The firm will ask you for the names and addresses of every doctor, hospital, and mental health provider who has treated you. They will request your full medical file from each one — this can take weeks or months because medical offices are slow to respond.

While records are being collected, the firm will interview you in detail about your work history, your condition, how it affects your daily life, and what you have told doctors about your symptoms. This information goes into a written statement called a "Function Report" or into testimony at a hearing.

If the Social Security Administration denies your claim (which happens in most cases on first filing), your lawyer will request a hearing before an administrative law judge. The judge is not a Social Security employee — they work for a separate office called the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review. At the hearing, your lawyer will present your medical evidence, ask you questions about your condition, and may bring in a medical informed or vocational informed to testify on your behalf.

When you might need a disability lawyer versus handling it yourself

You have the right to represent yourself in a Social Security disability case. You can file your claim, gather your own records, and go to a hearing without a lawyer. However, the approval rate for people without representation is significantly lower than for people with lawyers, especially at the hearing stage.

A lawyer becomes most valuable after a denial. At that point, you need someone who knows how to present medical evidence in the specific way Social Security judges expect, how to cross-examine a vocational informed (a witness the government brings to argue you can still work), and how to write an appeal if you lose at the hearing level.

If your case is straightforward — for example, you have a clear diagnosis with strong medical documentation and you have not worked in years — you might have a reasonable chance without a lawyer. If your condition is hard to prove (like chronic pain or mental illness), or if you have a work history that makes it harder to argue you cannot work, a lawyer's help becomes much more valuable.

How to verify a firm is authorized to represent you

Before you hire any disability law firm, including Dee Hansberry, check that it is authorized by the Social Security Administration. You can search the SSA's official directory of representatives at ssa.gov/representation. Enter the firm's name or the lawyer's name and confirm they appear in the system.

This step matters because some firms or individuals claim to represent people in Social Security cases without being authorized to do so. An authorized representative has passed a background check and agreed to follow SSA rules. If something goes wrong — the firm takes your money and does no work, or mishandles your case — you have a complaint process through the SSA.

When you hire a firm, you will sign a form called an "Authorization to Represent" (Form SSA-1696). This form tells Social Security that the firm is your official representative and can receive notices and information about your case on your behalf. The firm should file this form with Social Security within a reasonable time after you sign it.

What to expect at a disability hearing

A hearing before an administrative law judge usually takes place in a small office or courtroom. You, your lawyer, and the judge sit at a table. A court reporter types everything that is said. The hearing typically lasts 30 minutes to an hour.

Your lawyer will ask you questions about your medical condition, your symptoms, how they affect your ability to work, and what you do during a typical day. The government may have a representative there (though not always), and the judge may ask questions too. If your lawyer brought a medical informed or vocational informed, that person will testify as well.

The judge does not make a decision on the spot. You will receive a written decision in the mail weeks or months later. If you win, the decision will say how much back pay you are owed and what your monthly benefit will be going forward. If you lose, your lawyer can file another appeal to the Appeals Council, and if that fails, to federal court.

Switching lawyers or ending representation

You can fire your disability lawyer at any time and hire a different one, or represent yourself. You do not need a reason, and the firm cannot force you to stay. However, if you switch lawyers late in the process — for example, a week before a hearing — your new lawyer may not have time to prepare properly, and your case could suffer.

If you want to switch, tell your current lawyer in writing that you are ending the representation. Then file a new Form SSA-1696 with your new lawyer's name. Social Security will recognize the new lawyer as your representative once the form is processed.

If a firm is not doing the work you expect, or if you disagree with their strategy, it is reasonable to look for a different firm. However, understand that switching late in the process usually delays your case, so it is better to choose carefully at the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hire a disability lawyer if I already filed my claim myself?

Yes. You can hire a lawyer at any point in the process — after a denial, before a hearing, or even after losing at a hearing and deciding to appeal. The firm will take over your case from that point forward and represent you in any future proceedings.

What if I cannot afford the 25 percent fee?

You do not pay the fee upfront. The firm takes its percentage only from your back pay if you win. If your back pay is small, the firm's fee will be small too. Some firms may decline to take a case if they expect very little back pay, because the fee would not be worth their time, but you are free to ask.

How long does a disability case usually take?

From initial filing to a hearing decision, the timeline varies widely — anywhere from one to three years or longer, depending on how busy the hearing office is and how long it takes to gather medical records. Your lawyer can give you a better estimate based on your local office's current backlog.

What if my lawyer makes a mistake that hurts my case?

If you believe your lawyer's error caused you to lose a case you should have won, you can file a complaint with your state bar association or with the Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General. You may also have grounds to sue the firm for malpractice, though you would need to consult with another lawyer about that.

Do I have to use a law firm, or can I use a non-lawyer representative?

You can be represented by a non-lawyer — for example, a social worker, advocate, or accredited representative — as long as they are authorized by the Social Security Administration. These representatives often charge lower fees than law firms, though they may have less experience with complex cases. You can search for authorized non-lawyer representatives in the same SSA directory where you find law firms.