What Harris Firm LLC does and how to reach them
Harris Firm LLC is a law practice that represents people in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you win your case — their fee comes from your back pay award, capped at 25 percent or $6,000, whichever is less, by federal law.
You can contact Harris Firm LLC through their website or by phone. Their office handles initial consultations, case reviews, and representation at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and in federal court if your case is denied and you appeal.
Like all SSDI and SSI representatives, Harris Firm LLC must be authorized by the SSA to practice before them. You can verify any representative's status by checking the SSA's Office of the Inspector General website or by asking the firm directly for their representative number.
Key Takeaways
- Harris Firm LLC represents claimants in SSDI and SSI cases and charges only if you win, with fees capped by federal law at 25 percent of back pay or $6,000.
- You can contact them directly through their website or phone number to discuss your case and whether representation might help.
- All SSA representatives must be authorized to practice, and you can verify Harris Firm LLC's status through the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
- Representation can help at the initial process stage, reconsideration, hearing before an administrative law judge, and appeals court level.
When representation from a disability law firm makes sense
Many people win SSDI or SSI on their first process without a lawyer. But if your claim is denied, having a representative who knows the SSA's rules and the appeals process can change the outcome. Disability lawyers and non-lawyer representatives handle the paperwork, gather medical evidence, prepare you for your hearing, and argue your case in front of an administrative law judge.
You do not need a representative to file for SSDI or SSI, but one becomes more valuable after a denial. At the hearing stage — which is where most cases are decided — having someone who regularly appears before judges in your region can matter. They know which judges tend to approve certain types of conditions, what evidence those judges want to see, and how to present your medical history in the strongest way.
How the contingency fee structure works
Harris Firm LLC, like most disability representatives, works on contingency. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing if you lose. If you win, the SSA pays your back pay — the money owed to you from the date you became disabled to the date you were approved. The representative's fee comes from that back pay.
Federal law caps representative fees at the lesser of 25 percent of your back pay or $6,000. So if your back pay is $20,000, the fee would be $5,000 (25 percent). If your back pay is $30,000, the fee would still be capped at $6,000, not $7,500. The SSA must approve the fee before it is paid, and you receive the remainder of your back pay directly.
Out-of-pocket costs — such as medical records requests or informed witness fees — may be charged separately. Ask Harris Firm LLC about their cost structure during your initial conversation so you understand what you might owe beyond the representative fee.
What to have ready before you contact them
When you call or email Harris Firm LLC, have the following information available: your Social Security number, the date you became unable to work, a list of your medical conditions, and the names and dates of your doctors or hospitals. If you have already applied for SSDI or SSI, have your denial letter or most recent SSA notice.
If you are preparing to appeal a denial, gather any new medical evidence since your last decision — test results, hospital records, therapy notes, or letters from your doctors about why you cannot work. Representatives use this evidence to build a stronger case than your original process.
You do not need to have everything perfect before reaching out. Harris Firm LLC can tell you what else they need and help you locate records if you do not have them readily available.
The difference between lawyers and non-lawyer representatives
Harris Firm LLC may employ both attorneys and non-lawyer representatives, sometimes called accredited representatives. Both can represent you before the SSA and in federal court. Non-lawyer representatives are certified by the SSA and often have deep experience with disability cases, though they cannot give legal information outside the scope of your SSA claim.
Attorneys can provide broader legal counsel and may handle related matters — such as workers' compensation or personal injury claims that could affect your SSDI or SSI. The choice between a lawyer and a non-lawyer representative often comes down to the complexity of your case and your preference. Ask Harris Firm LLC who would handle your case and what their background is.
What happens after you contact them
After your initial contact, Harris Firm LLC will likely schedule a consultation — often free or low-cost — to review your case. During this call or meeting, they will ask about your medical conditions, your work history, and the status of your SSDI or SSI claim. They will tell you whether they think representation would help and what the next steps would be.
If you decide to work together, you will sign a fee agreement that outlines the contingency fee, any costs you might owe, and what the firm will do on your behalf. The firm then requests your SSA file, reviews it, and either prepares for an upcoming hearing or files an appeal if your case has been denied.
Throughout your case, Harris Firm LLC should keep you informed about important date, what evidence they are gathering, and what to expect at each stage. You can ask questions at any point, and you have the right to fire your representative and hire someone else if you are unhappy with their work.
How to verify Harris Firm LLC's authorization
Before signing with any representative, confirm they are authorized to practice before the SSA. You can do this by visiting the SSA's Office of the Inspector General website and searching their list of authorized representatives, or by calling the SSA's representative payee hotline at 1-800-772-1213 and asking them to verify the firm's status.
An authorized representative will have a valid representative number issued by the SSA. This number appears on all documents they file on your behalf. If Harris Firm LLC cannot provide this number or if the SSA cannot find them in their system, do not sign an agreement with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Harris Firm LLC represent me at my first process, or only after I am denied?
Representation is available at any stage, including the initial process. However, many people are approved without a representative. If you have a straightforward case with strong medical evidence, you may not need one. If your case is complex or you have been denied before, representation from the start can help avoid mistakes that lead to denial.
What if I cannot afford to pay for medical records or informed witnesses?
Ask Harris Firm LLC about their policy on costs. Some firms advance costs and deduct them from your back pay award if you win. Others may ask you to pay upfront or may decline to pursue expensive evidence if they think your case is strong without it. This should be discussed before you sign a fee agreement.
How long does it usually take to hear back after I contact them?
Response times vary by firm size and current caseload. Most firms respond within a few business days. If you do not hear back within a week, follow up with a second call or email. If you are facing an urgent important date — such as a hearing date — mention that when you contact them so they prioritize your case.
Can I switch representatives if I am unhappy with Harris Firm LLC?
Yes. You can fire your representative at any time and hire someone else. You will need to file a new fee agreement with the SSA naming your new representative. The SSA will then split any back pay award between the two representatives based on the work each did, or you can request that the SSA hold the fee pending a resolution between you and the first firm.
What if Harris Firm LLC declines to take my case?
If they believe your case is weak or they are not taking new cases, they should tell you directly. You can then contact other disability representatives in your area. Many firms specialize in certain conditions or have different standards for which cases they take. A firm that declines you may refer you to another firm that is a better fit.