What a disability lawyer does for your Social Security case
A Social Security disability lawyer represents you in front of the Social Security Administration (SSA) when you file for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). They do not file the initial claim for you — you or someone acting on your behalf files that directly with SSA. What a lawyer does is handle the appeal process if SSA denies your claim, which happens to most people on the first try.
When you appeal, SSA sends your case to an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) who holds a hearing. Your lawyer prepares your medical evidence, questions witnesses, and argues why your condition meets SSA's definition of disability. They know what SSA looks for, what judges in the Savannah area tend to accept, and how to present your medical records so they actually persuade someone who has read thousands of these cases.
Lawyers in Savannah who handle disability cases work on contingency, meaning they take payment only if you win. SSA sets the fee at 25 percent of your back pay (the money owed from when your disability began), capped at $6,000 as of 2024. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if you lose.
Key Takeaways
- A disability lawyer represents you at the appeal hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, not during the initial SSA filing.
- Lawyers in Savannah work on contingency and are paid only from your back pay if you win, with SSA capping the fee at $6,000.
- You can find disability lawyers through the National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR), the Georgia Disability Law Center, or by searching the State Bar of Georgia website.
- Most people are denied on their first claim, so having a lawyer for the appeal significantly increases your chances of approval.
- You can hire a lawyer at any point in the process, including after you have already received a denial notice.
Where to find disability lawyers in Savannah
The National Organization of Social Security Claimants' Representatives (NOSSCR) maintains a directory of lawyers and non-lawyer representatives who handle disability cases. You can search by state and city on their website. Members of NOSSCR specialize in Social Security work and understand the specific rules SSA uses to decide disability claims.
The Georgia Disability Law Center (part of the national disability rights network) can refer you to lawyers in the Savannah area who handle Social Security cases. They also provide information about your rights during the process. Call them or visit their website to ask for referrals.
The State Bar of Georgia has a lawyer referral service. You can search their directory for attorneys in Chatham County (where Savannah is located) who list Social Security disability as a practice area. This does not mean they specialize in it the way a NOSSCR member does, so ask how many disability cases they have handled.
You can also ask your doctor, local hospital social worker, or a disability advocacy organization in Savannah if they have recommendations. People who work with disabled patients often know which lawyers in the area have good reputations with judges.
What to ask a lawyer before you hire them
When you call a lawyer, ask how many Social Security disability cases they have handled in the past two years. A lawyer who does mostly other types of work may not know the current rules or how the Savannah hearing office operates. Ask specifically about their success rate — what percentage of their cases result in approval at the hearing level.
Ask whether they will represent you at the hearing itself or whether they will send someone else. Some firms have multiple lawyers; you want to know who will actually be in the room with you. Ask what they will do to prepare you for the hearing and whether they charge anything for that preparation (they should not — it comes out of the contingency fee).
Ask whether they have represented clients before the judge assigned to your case. Judges in Savannah have different approval rates and different preferences about what evidence they find convincing. A lawyer who regularly appears before your judge will know what matters.
How the contingency fee works
When you win your case, SSA calculates your back pay — the total monthly benefit amount from the date your disability began until the date SSA approves your claim. Your lawyer's fee comes from that back pay, not from your ongoing monthly benefit. If your back pay is $12,000 and the fee is $3,000 (25 percent), you receive $9,000 and your lawyer receives $3,000.
The $6,000 cap means that even if 25 percent of your back pay would be higher, your lawyer cannot charge more than $6,000. This protects you if your back pay is very large. Your lawyer must also get written approval from SSA before taking the fee, so there is no surprise deduction.
If you lose at the hearing, you owe your lawyer nothing. If you win but decide to appeal further (to the Appeals Council or federal court), you may need to negotiate a separate fee arrangement for that additional work, since it is technically a new case.
When to hire a lawyer
You can hire a lawyer at any stage. Many people hire one after they receive a denial letter from SSA on their initial claim. That is when the appeal process begins, and that is when a lawyer becomes most useful. You have 60 days from the date on the denial letter to file a Request for Reconsideration (the first level of appeal) or to request a hearing before an ALJ.
Some people hire a lawyer before filing the initial claim if their case is complex — for example, if they have multiple conditions, inconsistent medical records, or a work history that makes it hard to show they cannot work. A lawyer can help you organize your medical evidence and make sure your initial claim is as strong as possible.
You can also hire a lawyer after you have already filed a Request for Reconsideration or after SSA has scheduled your hearing. There is no penalty for waiting, but the sooner you hire someone, the more time they have to prepare.
Non-lawyer representatives as an alternative
You do not have to hire a lawyer. SSA also allows non-lawyer representatives — people trained in Social Security law who are not attorneys — to represent you at hearings. These representatives must be accredited by SSA, which means they have passed a test and follow SSA's rules. Many work for disability advocacy organizations and charge the same contingency fee as lawyers.
Non-lawyer representatives often have more experience with Social Security cases than general-practice lawyers do, because they focus only on disability work. The NOSSCR directory includes both lawyers and accredited non-lawyer representatives, so you can compare both options. Ask about their experience and success rate the same way you would with a lawyer.
What happens after you hire a lawyer
Your lawyer will request your file from SSA, which contains all the medical records and documents from your initial claim. They will review this file and identify what is missing or weak. They will ask you to gather additional medical evidence — recent test results, doctor's notes, mental health records — anything that shows your condition prevents you from working.
Your lawyer will also prepare you for the hearing. They will explain what the judge will ask, what kind of answers help your case, and what to expect in the hearing room. Some lawyers hold practice sessions with you before the actual hearing. They will tell you what to wear, when to arrive, and what documents to bring.
At the hearing, your lawyer will present your medical evidence, call witnesses (usually your doctor or a vocational informed), and argue that you meet SSA's definition of disability. After the hearing, the judge issues a written decision within a few weeks to a few months. If you win, SSA calculates your back pay and your lawyer's fee is taken from that amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I represent myself instead of hiring a lawyer?
Yes. You have the right to represent yourself at a hearing. However, most people who represent themselves are denied, while people with lawyers or accredited representatives have higher approval rates. The hearing process is complex, and judges expect you to know SSA's rules and how to present medical evidence persuasively.
How long does it take to get a hearing after I hire a lawyer?
The wait time varies. In Savannah, it typically takes 6 to 12 months from the date you request a hearing until the hearing actually happens. Your lawyer will keep you informed about the status and will prepare you as the hearing date approaches.
What if I disagree with the judge's decision?
You can appeal to the Appeals Council, which reviews the judge's decision. If the Appeals Council denies you, you can file a federal lawsuit. Your lawyer can advise you on whether an appeal makes sense in your situation. You may need to negotiate a separate fee for additional appeals.
Do I need a lawyer if I am explore for SSI instead of SSDI?
The rules are the same, and the hearing process is identical. A lawyer can represent you for either program. The main difference is that SSI has income and asset limits, while SSDI does not, but a lawyer handles both the same way.
What if I cannot afford to wait for a hearing?
You can request that SSA expedite your hearing, but this is rarely granted. Some people ask their doctor to write a letter explaining that their condition is worsening and they need a faster decision. You can also look into emergency information programs in Savannah while you wait for your disability decision.