Am I Allowed to Have Lawyers at All Stages of the Social Security Disability Process?

On This Page

1. What Are the Advantages of Talking to a Disability Attorney?
2. Can I Get Disability Benefits Faster With the Help of a Lawyer?
3. When Do I Need to Enlist the Help of a Disability Attorney?
4. How Can I Reach a Disability Lawyer?

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

February 02, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

You are allowed to have an attorney at all stages of the Social Security Disability (SSD) process. There are many advantages of discussing your claim with an attorney before you file for disability benefits. If you receive a denial of your initial application, you should have a lawyer on your side to help you navigate the appeals process.

At Berger and Green, our SSD attorneys can help you file your application for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). We can also represent you in your appeals hearing, and help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Call our office today at 412-661-1400 for a free consultation.

What Are the Advantages of Talking to a Disability Attorney?

It is not necessary to meet with a disability lawyer to apply for benefits and get approved. However, our knowledgeable attorneys understand which steps to take to increase your chances of approval. We know what the Social Security Administration (SSA) examiners who review your file are looking for to approve your application for benefits.

We can ensure you complete all paperwork properly, and meet all technical qualifications. This includes not skipping any questions on the application and providing the correct answers. Any number of mistakes can cause you to receive a technical denial from the SSA. Our experience can help you reduce the chance this occurs.

In addition, we have helped hundreds of qualified clients get denials overturned during the appeals process. Because we understand why the SSA denies claims, we understand the best way to win the approval you need and deserve.

Can I Get Disability Benefits Faster With the Help of a Lawyer?

There is no way to make the disability claims process move any faster. It takes a few months for the SSA to review your application and give you an answer on whether you qualify. If you receive a denial and need to request an appeals hearing in front of an administrative law judge, you will wait even longer.

However, there is a way that having an attorney can play a role in getting your benefits to you sooner. This is by increasing the chances you receive approval based on your initial application. We can frequently help our clients avoid the appeals process altogether.

Applying for SSDI or SSI benefits requires completing several forms, providing a wealth of personal information, as well as making sure your medical evidence accurately documents your impairments and limitations. We can double-check your forms, and help you work with your doctor to ensure they collect the necessary evidence to show you meet one of the SSA’s impairment listings or qualify based on your residual functional capacity (RFC).

If you do not fill out these forms properly or your medical records do not adequately show a qualifying impairment, the SSA will most likely deny your application. This means we will need to file an appeal on your behalf. This process can take many months—or longer. While we can help you file and win an appeal, you will receive your benefits much faster if you can avoid the need to file an appeal in the first place.

When Do I Need to Enlist the Help of a Disability Attorney?

If you decided to handle your initial application on your own, you will definitely want to discuss your situation with an attorney before you begin the appeals process. You are not only allowed to have a lawyer on your side for the appeals process, we highly recommend you do not try to represent yourself during the administrative law hearing.

The first thing we do after hearing from a client who received a denial is request a hearing on their behalf. We only have a short time to request this first step in the appeals process. We need to get on the administrative law judge’s docket as soon as possible.

Still, it will likely be many months before your hearing. During this time, we will research your claim and determine why it did not receive approval. Then, we collect evidence to prove you meet the criteria for benefits. We can present this evidence to an administrative law judge in a compelling way during your hearing. Our attorneys understand how to prove you qualify for SSDI or SSI benefits. We have a successful track record of getting denials overturned for our qualifying clients at this stage in the appeals process.

How Can I Reach a Disability Lawyer?

If you have questions or concerns about the disability process, the team from Berger and Green can help. We have the experience and skills to help you fight for the benefits you deserve. Call our office today at 412-661-1400 for a free consultation on your claim.