Do I Apply On My Own, Or Use An Advocate (Or An Attorney)?

How do I begin the application process?

If you are disabled and think you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, your first question may be, “how do I begin the application process?” The process begins with educating yourself on the eligibility requirements. There are many free resources available on the internet, including this site, for you to read and complete a self-assessment. Or you may have a friend, family member or a medical professional who is familiar with the process and can give you an indication of whether or not you are likely to qualify.

You can also contact a professional representative such as an Advocacy group like Freedom Disability, or an attorney’s office who represents Social Security Disability cases. At Freedom Disability, we work with first time applicants or those interested in appealing a denied application. Our associates will walk you through a free screening process to determine if you are likely eligible. If so, we offer to be your official representative through the process, helping you to collect medical evidence, complete and submit your application, and appeal your denied claim in court if needed.

The Advantage of Using a Professional

The advantage of allowing a professional to review your case is that (1) it’s free and (2) if after reviewing your case, a professional offers to spend their time and resources representing you, then you know you have a better than average chance to win benefits through the government. Then you can choose to either apply on your own, or take advantage of the knowledge and experience of a professional.

So what do you have to lose by applying on your own? Applying on your own exposes you to the risk of not winning your case, or not winning in the first round, which may delay receipt of your cash benefits for years. The national average success rate for applicants is 37%. Most professionals, including Freedom Disability, offer success rates over 50% for first time applicants, and Freedom Disability wins over 90% of cases in which we represent people through the appeals process. If you do not win your first application, then you face months and in some cases, years of wait time, as the appeal process takes its course. Backlogs at the Hearing Court Appeals level now stand at 1.4 years (latest statistics from SSA national average) so winning your case, and winning early, are critical to those in need of benefits. Freedom Disability has the knowledge and experience to ensure you put your best case forward, the first time, because you can’t afford to wait.

If you select Freedom Disability to help you through this process and represent your case, there are no upfront fees. We are only paid if you win, and our fee percentage is set by the Social Security Administration at 25%. This percentage fee only applies to the retroactive lump sum award, not your ongoing monthly cash award. For more on how to calculate our costs, please click the link to see our page, “What is the cost of Social Security Disability representation?”

Advocate vs. Attorney?

Should I select an advocacy group or Law firm to represent me? The performance of both a Advocacy groups and law firms will vary across each organization but there are a few differences to look out for.

Does the advocacy group or law firm specialize in Social Security Disability cases? At Freedom Disability, our sole business and the focus of our organization is getting people disability benefits through the government. And should you require help at a Hearing Level Court Appeal, you will be represented by one of our Advocates who is certified by the Social Security Administration, having passed their rigorous test for knowledge and experience in the field of disability (SSDI) representation.
Do you work directly with the person who will be making your case to the government? At Freedom Disability, you work directly with our Advocates who spend time to listen and understand your situation so that they can put together the best case possible.
Does the advocacy group or law firm accept first time applications? Some groups will not work first time applications. Freedom Disability welcomes all first time applicants.

More on Freedom Disability

Freedom Disability is a national Social Security Disability advocacy firm headquartered in Shelton, Connecticut. We provide education and representation services to individuals interested in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Founded in 2003 by Alan Flaumenhaft, Freedom Disability was created to bring an innovative new model to professional Social Security representation. Alan fundamentally believed that having a professionally trained advocate assist an individual with every stage of the disability application process would result in superior service and greater success rates. Today at Freedom Disability our professional Disability Advocates provide compassionate and efficient advocacy services to thousands of claimants every month. Freedom Disability is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.

Freedom Disability represents the disabled community through a team of specially trained Advocates. Our Advocates are experts in the area of Social Security Disability, working directly with clients each day to build their disability case and get them the benefits they deserve. If a case requires a court appeal, our SSA-Certified Advocates will represent the applicant in their local state. The SSA Certification is only awarded to representatives who pass a rigorous testing process by the Social Security Administration, proving their expertise in the field of Social Security Disability. Freedom Disability is proud to provide people throughout the country with the advocacy they need to get the benefits they deserve.

Freedom Disability charges no initial fees. We are only paid if the SSI or SSDI application is approved and the claimant is awarded retroactive cash benefits. Our payment comes from a set percentage of these retroactive benefits, not ongoing monthly payments, and is regulated by the Social Security Administration.