When should I contact an attorney about representation?

We believe you should contact an attorney even before you file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA). The reason for this is simple…planning and preparation of your disability claim should begin before you file an application! You need a strategy to win your case from the very beginning. It is critical you understand how to manage the process sooner rather than later.

The prevailing opinion at SSA and among many legal professionals is that you should not consult or hire an attorney until after your claim has been denied by SSA twice and are filing for a hearing before a judge.

We have come to realize that this is not the best advice and could be fatal to your case because SSA does not represent you. Unfortunately, SSA often looks for ways to deny rather than to approve a claim. By waiting until you have been denied twice by SSA to obtain legal advice, you will be without a strategy and at SSA's mercy for 6 to 8 months. During this time, our experience is that many claimants do irreparable harm to their cases.