Written By: Gayle Gonzalez Conner
Do I Need a Social Security Disability Lawyer?
As you begin to navigate the intricacies of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), it quickly becomes apparent that the process can be both demanding and overwhelming. With numerous factors influencing the success of a disability benefits application, many individuals find themselves struggling to manage the workload and requirements. If your initial claim is denied, the appeals process can feel like an uphill battle.
You are not required to hire a Social Security Disability lawyer to apply for benefits but having one can significantly improve your chances of success, especially if your case is complex or has already been denied. A Social Security disability lawyer can be a crucial ally when you are applying for SSDI or SSI.
The Value of Experience in an SSD Lawyer
A skilled and experienced Social Security Disability attorney brings essential knowledge to both the application and appeals process. As your case progresses through the appeals stages, the legal arguments and evidentiary requirements become increasingly complex. Administrative law judges rely heavily on legal reasoning, so having an attorney who can present your medical and vocational evidence within a strong legal framework can be a major advantage. Their ability to translate your situation into terms that align with Social Security regulations greatly enhances your chances of a favorable outcome
Improve Your Chances of Approval
While it is certainly true that some people who apply without a lawyer are awarded benefits, statistics show that applicants who are represented by an experienced Social Security attorney have higher chances of getting approved for disability.
Expertise in Disability Law
Lawyers understand how to frame your condition under Social Security’s rules—whether it meets a listed impairment, limits your ability to work, or involves non-exertional limitations like memory or concentration issue. Lawyers understand how to present your case in a way that aligns with the Social Security Administration (SSA)’s strict criteria for disability
What Does a Disability Lawyer Do?
A disability attorney plays a vital role in guiding you through the Social Security Disability process. Here is how disability attorney can help:
Prepare and File Your Applications Correctly
- Because of how long it takes for claims to be processed by the SSA, it is critical that your application is well-prepared.
- Lawyers ensure your application is accurate, complete, and timely, avoiding common mistakes that lead to denials or delay.
- Lawyers can help determine whether you qualify for SSDI or SSI based on your work history and income.
Build a Strong Medical Case
- Lawyers help with collecting and organizing comprehensive medical evidence, including doctor’s records, test results and imaging studies that objectively confirm your condition.
- Lawyers may request Residual Functional Capacity (RFC) form from your doctor to assess your physical and mental capabilities.
- If your claim is denied, lawyers will gather additional or updated medical evidence. They may request expert statements or testimony from your doctors.
Represent You at Hearings
- Lawyers know how to present your case effectively during a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge—a step most applicants must go through.
- Social Security Administration does not just want to see a diagnosis—they want to know how your condition affects your ability to work. Lawyers will emphasize on functional limitations like difficulty sitting, standing, walking, lifting, concentrating, or interacting with others.
- They prepare you to explain your symptoms and limitations clearly to an Administrative Law Judge.
- They will explain the types of questions the Administrative Law Judge may ask about your medical condition, work history, and limitations.
- They will explain the hearing process and will help you choose the best format for your hearing (in-person, via phone, or via video-conference).
What a Disability Lawyer Cannot Do?
There are several important limitations to what a social security disability lawyer cannot do for claimants. Here’s a breakdown of what a lawyer cannot help with or guarantee:
- Speed up the process
- a. The SSDI/SSI application and appeal process is not fast. Most claims follow standard timelines. As of mid-2025, the average wait time for an initial decision was 220 days. Appeals can take months to years, depending on the backlog and complexity.
- b. Social Security Administration follows the strict procedures and timelines, and even with legal help, the process can only be expedited in rare cases (e.g., terminal illness or dire financial need).
- Guarantee a win
a. A social security disability attorney cannot guarantee benefits or help if the claim lacks proper evidence or the applicant fails to cooperate, such as missing medical appointments or hearings.
How Much Does a Disability Lawyer Cost?
A disability attorney costs nothing upfront. You only pay if your lawyer wins your case and the Social Security Administration approves your claim.
If the Social Security Administration approves the fee agreement and your claim is approved, your lawyer collects the contingency fee. The industry standard is 25% of your first check. By law, the maximum a disability attorney can receive is $9,200.The fee can sound high, but it comes out of your first check, which includes the months (or even years) of back pay that you are entitled to.
The exception is if your case goes beyond the Administrative Law Judge and into federal appeals, then the lawyer’s fee is 25% with no cap. Most disability claims do not go past the Administrative Law Judge because few people appeal after that stage
This contingency fee structure does not vary among Social Security disability lawyers because the law limits the amount. Your lawyer does not get any compensation from your future checks.
Connect with a Social Security Disability Attorney at LaBovick Law Group
Whether you are starting your application for Social Security Disability benefits or facing a denial, the dedicated legal team at LaBovick Law Group is ready to support you. We know how overwhelming the process can be, and our mission is to guide you through it with clarity and compassion—giving you and your family the strongest possible chance of securing the benefits you deserve.
