A disability law firm represents you in front of Social Security, not instead of it
Zamler Shiffman Karfis is a law firm that handles Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cases. They represent people who have been denied benefits or who need help navigating the appeals process. The firm does not work for Social Security — they work for you, and they are paid only if you win your case.
When you file for disability on your own and Social Security denies you, you have the right to appeal. A lawyer can help you gather medical evidence, prepare your case for a hearing, and present your argument to a judge. This is different from explore for benefits in the first place. Social Security makes the first decision; if you disagree, you move into the appeals system, and that is where a disability lawyer typically enters the picture.
Key Takeaways
- Disability law firms like Zamler Shiffman Karfis represent you during the appeals process after Social Security denies your claim, not during the initial filing.
- These firms work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your back pay only if you win — you pay nothing upfront.
- A lawyer helps you gather medical records, organize your case, and argue before an administrative law judge at a hearing.
- Social Security sets a cap on what lawyers can charge, currently 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less.
- You can represent yourself at any stage, but many people find a lawyer's help increases their chances of winning on appeal.
How the appeals process works and where a lawyer fits in
After Social Security denies your initial claim, you enter a four-stage appeals process. The first stage is called reconsideration, where Social Security reviews your file again with new or additional evidence. If they deny you again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge — this is the stage where most people bring in a lawyer, because a judge will listen to your case and make a decision based on the evidence you present.
If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council, and if that fails, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. A disability law firm typically handles the hearing stage and may continue through the Appeals Council and into court. The hearing is the most important moment in most cases, because it is your chance to present medical evidence, answer questions from the judge, and have a lawyer argue why you meet Social Security's definition of disability.
You do not have to hire a lawyer to appeal. Many people represent themselves at the reconsideration stage. But statistics show that people with lawyers win more often at the hearing stage than people without them, partly because lawyers know how to organize medical evidence and partly because judges see disability cases all day and respond to structured arguments.
What a disability lawyer actually does for your case
A disability lawyer gathers your medical records from all your doctors and hospitals, reviews them for evidence that supports your claim, and organizes them into a narrative that shows why you cannot work. They also order medical records you may not have — for example, if your doctor mentioned a condition in passing but never formally documented it, the lawyer can request those notes.
The lawyer prepares you for the hearing by explaining what the judge will ask and how to answer. They write a brief that lays out the law and explains how your medical condition meets Social Security's criteria for disability. At the hearing itself, they question you and any medical witnesses you bring, cross-examine Social Security's medical informed if one is present, and make a closing argument to the judge.
After the hearing, if the judge denies you, the lawyer can file an appeal to the Appeals Council and argue that the judge made an error. If that fails and you want to pursue a federal lawsuit, the lawyer can do that too, though many firms focus on the hearing stage because that is where most cases are decided.
How disability lawyers are paid and what it costs you
Disability lawyers work on contingency, which means they do not charge you anything upfront. Instead, they take a percentage of the money you receive if you win. Social Security sets a cap on lawyer fees: the lawyer can charge either 25 percent of your back pay or $7,200, whichever is less. Back pay is the money Social Security owes you from the date you became disabled until the date your benefits start.
For example, if you are awarded $50,000 in back pay, the lawyer's fee would be 25 percent of that, or $12,500 — but Social Security's cap means the lawyer can only take $7,200. The fee comes out of your back pay before you receive it; Social Security pays the lawyer directly. You never write a check.
Some firms also charge for costs like obtaining medical records, ordering a medical informed's report, or filing court documents. These costs are separate from the lawyer's fee and vary by firm. A good firm will tell you upfront what costs they expect and whether they will advance those costs or bill you later. Always ask about costs before you sign a representation agreement.
When you should consider hiring a disability lawyer
You might consider a lawyer if Social Security has already denied you once and you are preparing to appeal. You might also consider one if your case is complex — for example, if you have multiple conditions, if your medical records are scattered across many providers, or if Social Security's reason for denying you is unclear and you need help building a stronger argument.
If you are still in the initial process stage and have not been denied yet, most disability lawyers will not take your case, because they work on contingency and there is no back pay to collect if you win on the first try. Some firms offer free consultations during the initial stage to review your case and tell you whether they think you have a strong claim, but they typically do not represent you unless you have been denied.
You do not need a lawyer to appeal. If your case seems straightforward and you have good medical evidence, you may be able to win at reconsideration or at a hearing on your own. But if you have been denied twice, or if the hearing is coming up and you feel overwhelmed, a lawyer can make a real difference in how your case is presented.
How to find and choose a disability law firm
Disability law firms are listed in your state bar directory, and many advertise online. You can search for firms in your area or look for firms that handle cases nationwide by phone and video. When you contact a firm, ask whether they take cases in your state and whether they have experience with cases like yours.
A good first step is to call two or three firms and ask for a free consultation. Most disability firms offer this. During the call, explain your situation, ask what they think your chances are, and ask what they would do differently than you could do on your own. Pay attention to whether they listen to your story or just give you a generic pitch.
Before you sign a representation agreement, read it carefully. It should spell out what the lawyer will do, what costs you might owe, and what happens if you fire them or if they withdraw from your case. If anything is unclear, ask. You have the right to understand the agreement before you sign it.
What happens if you win and what happens if you lose
If the judge approves your claim, Social Security calculates your back pay and your ongoing monthly benefit. The lawyer's fee is taken from the back pay, and the rest goes to you. Your ongoing benefit starts the month after the judge's decision, though there may be a waiting period depending on when you became disabled. If you have a representative payee — someone who manages your money for you — Social Security will send your benefits to them instead of directly to you.
If the judge denies you, you can appeal to the Appeals Council. If the Appeals Council also denies you, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. Your lawyer can advise you on whether it makes sense to continue, based on the judge's written decision and the strength of any new evidence you might have. Some people decide to stop after a federal court loss; others file again with new medical evidence after a year or two.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a lawyer before Social Security denies me?
Most disability lawyers will not represent you during the initial process because there is no back pay to collect if you win on the first try. Some offer free consultations to review your case, but representation typically begins after a denial. If you want help with your initial process, you can contact a disability advocate or your local legal aid office.
What if I cannot afford to wait for a hearing?
The appeals process takes time — reconsideration can take three to six months, and waiting for a hearing can take one to two years depending on your area. If you need money now, you may be able to request expedited review if your situation has changed, or you can look into other benefits like SSI or state disability programs while you wait. A lawyer can advise you on what options exist in your situation.
Do I have to use the same lawyer for every stage of appeal?
No. You can represent yourself at reconsideration, hire a lawyer for the hearing, and then decide whether to continue with that lawyer or find a different one for the Appeals Council or federal court. However, switching lawyers means the new lawyer has to get up to speed on your case, so it is usually more efficient to stick with one firm if you are satisfied with their work.
What if the lawyer I hire is not helping or I want to switch?
You have the right to fire your lawyer at any time. You must notify Social Security in writing that you are changing representatives. If your case is at the hearing stage, you may need to ask the judge for a continuance to give your new lawyer time to prepare. The old lawyer's fee is calculated based on the work they did; the new lawyer's fee is separate.
Can a lawyer may provide I will win?
No. A lawyer cannot promise you will win, and any lawyer who does is not being honest. What a lawyer can do is review your medical evidence, tell you whether your case is strong or weak, and present your case as effectively as possible. Some cases are stronger than others, and the judge makes the final decision.