What the Disability Law Center of Alaska does

The Disability Law Center of Alaska (DLC) is a nonprofit law firm that represents people filing for or appealing Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) based on disability. They do not charge you a fee upfront — instead, they are paid from your back pay if you win your case, and only if you receive money. The center handles the entire process: gathering medical records, preparing your case file, representing you at hearings, and filing appeals if the Social Security Administration denies your claim.

The DLC operates as Alaska's Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Disabilities (PAID) program, which means it receives federal funding to provide legal help to people with disabilities. They work with people who have physical disabilities, mental health conditions, developmental disabilities, and other conditions that prevent work. The center serves all of Alaska, including rural areas, and can work with you by phone, mail, or video if you cannot travel to their office in Anchorage.

Key Takeaways

  • The Disability Law Center of Alaska represents you at no upfront cost; they are paid only if you win your case and receive back pay from Social Security.
  • They handle the full process from initial process through appeals, including gathering medical evidence and preparing you for hearings.
  • The center serves all of Alaska and can work with you remotely if you live in a rural area or cannot travel.
  • You do not have to use the DLC to file for SSDI or SSI, but having a lawyer increases your chances of approval, especially on appeal.

When you might contact the Disability Law Center

Contact the DLC if you are filing for SSDI or SSI for the first time and want legal help, or if Social Security has already denied your claim and you are considering an appeal. Many people contact the center after their first denial, because the approval rate at the hearing stage (when a judge reviews your case) is much higher than at the initial stage. The center can also help if you have already hired a different lawyer and want to switch, or if you are unsure whether you have a strong case.

You do not need to wait until you are denied to reach out. Some people call the DLC before they file, to understand what evidence they will need and what the process looks like. The center can also advise you on whether filing now makes sense for your situation, or whether waiting and building more medical documentation might strengthen your case.

How the DLC charges for representation

The Disability Law Center of Alaska works on what is called a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and the center is paid only if you win your case and receive back pay from Social Security. The fee is set by federal law: the DLC can take up to 25 percent of your back pay, or $6,000, whichever is less. Social Security must approve the fee before it is taken from your payment.

If you do not win your case, you owe the DLC nothing. If you win but receive no back pay (for example, because you filed late or your case took a short time to process), the center cannot charge you. This structure means the DLC only makes money when you do, so they have a strong reason to build the strongest case possible.

What happens when you work with the DLC

Once you contact the Disability Law Center and they agree to represent you, a lawyer or paralegal will be assigned to your case. They will ask you detailed questions about your medical history, your work history, and how your condition affects your daily life and ability to work. They will request your medical records from your doctors, hospitals, and mental health providers — you will sign authorization forms that allow them to get these records directly.

The DLC will review all your medical evidence and decide what story your records tell about your disability. They will identify gaps — for example, if you have not seen a doctor in six months — and may suggest you get an examination to fill those gaps before filing. They will prepare a written case file that explains why you cannot work, using your medical records and your own description of your limitations.

If Social Security denies your claim, the DLC will file an appeal on your behalf. Most appeals go to a hearing in front of an administrative law judge. The center will prepare you for the hearing, attend with you (in person or by video), and present evidence and arguments to the judge. They may also arrange for a medical informed or vocational informed to testify about your condition and work capacity.

How to contact the Disability Law Center of Alaska

You can reach the Disability Law Center of Alaska by phone at 1-888-437-1221 (toll-free) or 907-344-1002 (Anchorage area). You can also visit their office at 3330 Arctic Boulevard, Suite 103, Anchorage, AK 99503, or send a written request by mail. The center has a website where you can find more information about their services and the SSDI and SSI programs.

When you call, be prepared to give a brief description of your disability and whether you have already filed for SSDI or SSI. The center receives many calls and may have a waiting list, but they will take your information and contact you when they can take your case. If you are in crisis or facing an urgent important date (such as a hearing date), mention that when you call.

Other legal help for Social Security disability claims

The Disability Law Center is not the only source of legal representation for SSDI and SSI cases in Alaska. You can also hire a private disability lawyer, who will work on the same contingency fee basis (25 percent of back pay or $6,000, whichever is less). Private lawyers may have shorter waiting lists than the DLC, but you will need to find and vet them yourself.

You can also work with a non-attorney representative — someone trained in Social Security disability law but not a lawyer. These representatives charge the same contingency fee and can represent you at hearings. Some are affiliated with disability organizations; others work independently. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of approved representatives on their website.

If you cannot afford a lawyer and the DLC's waiting list is long, you can also file on your own. Many people do, though the approval rate is lower. The Social Security Administration provides free guides and can answer basic questions about the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the Disability Law Center, or can I file on my own?

You can file on your own without a lawyer. However, having legal representation increases your chances of approval, especially if your claim is denied and you appeal. The DLC is free if you win, so there is no financial risk to having them represent you.

How long does it take the DLC to take my case?

The center receives many requests and may have a waiting list. The length of the wait depends on how many cases they are handling and how complex your case is. Call them to ask about current wait times. If you have an urgent important date, such as a hearing date, tell them when you call.

What if I already have a lawyer but want to switch to the Disability Law Center?

You can change representatives at any time. You will need to file a form with Social Security to remove your current representative and add the DLC. The DLC can help you with this process. Your old representative cannot take a fee for work done after you switch.

Will the DLC help me if I have already been denied once?

Yes. In fact, many people contact the DLC after a denial. The approval rate at the hearing stage (when a judge reviews your case) is much higher than at the initial stage, so the DLC often focuses on building the strongest case for appeal.

What if I live in a rural part of Alaska?

The DLC serves all of Alaska and can work with you by phone, mail, or video conference. You do not have to travel to Anchorage to work with them, though you may need to travel for your hearing if it is held in person.