Wondering how many people here used a lawyer for their claim, did it on their own, or had help of friends/family....

My brother is on Social Security Disability, but his ex-girlfriend submitted his claim. Unfortunately she has since passed away, she was also on SSD. I am considering using a lawyer because I am self-employed and already having to sell belongings to barely make ends meet.

I teach dog training classes, used to have 1 class Tuesdays, 2 classes Wednesdays, 2 classes Thursdays, and 4 classes Saturdays. Right now with a constant helper I am struggling physically to do 1 Tuesday class, 1 Thursday class and 1 Saturday class This is what I had dreamed of doing from childhood, have had my business 4 years & hate to have to give it up....

My first--and only--application was done without any legal assistance or guidance from family. Since my primary diagnosis was psychiatric, my weekly psychologist was a big help. Having supported others in the past, she seemed to know exactly what to put in her letter.

I anticipated several months before I applied that I would have to leave the workforce. I avidly read the Nolo Press book on social security disability and referred to it frequently as I constructed my case. I collected copies of all my medical records; originals of the letters from my psychologist, psychiatrist, and pain doctor; and handed the whole bundle over when I went to my initial interview.

I have gone through two short form CDRs since then and have been approved quickly both times.

Good luck as you approach this task. Consider it one of the biggest final exams of your life--but don't let that bowl you over. Remember, you passed all those exams, too.

I started out on my own, and intended to finish on my own. But after 2 denials, and finding out that RSD is one of the hardest things to prove I decided to get the help of a lawyer.

Well it was money well spent. Getting social security is very stressfull, and dealing with your health and the ssa was to much for me. So having the lawyer gave me that peace of mind that someone was on my side besides me, and they handled all the details leaving me to just figure out how to get by.

If I had it to do over again, I would hire a lawyer again and again. If you decide to get a lawyer make sure that all they do is social security. This way they are very familiar with the system, and even can tell you about the judge you might see as well as other things.

Good luck on your case, I hope you get approved on first try and the lawyer thing isnt even an issue for you.

My young brother did his on his own and approved the first time. Congestive heart failure, diabetic, 6'5" around 400 lbs, his issues were known and well documented.

Myself, I started on my own with a dx of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, I got an attorney after the first denial, still denied again, but the attorney made sure proper documentation was in place for the ALJ hearing and a bench decision. I had received a proper dx of PPMS shortly before the hearing.

My illness made and travel, driving around difficult, well worth it to use the attorney`s legs and resources for me.

get help,they want to out live you or hope you will give up.

In my case, I tried twice on my own. Denied both times. Contacted the local chapter of the NMSS. They sent me a list of attorneys. Selected one fairly close to my residence. Got an ALJ hearing and was finally awarded SSDI. As another person said, it seems like they want to wait until you either give up or die. The recent news stories on CBS alluded to a "culture of denial" in the SSA. Sad commentary on this country's stance when it comes to disability.

I used an attorney from the beginning of my case,because my doctor was not a nice person.

I suggest your find a book called Nolo's Guide to
Social Security Disability by David A Morton.

You can find this book at your local public library.
Here are some other form your State DDS agency will send.
SSA 3373-BK

SSA 3380-BK
An article about these forms.
Look up the following Disability DOC.

You might check around. Lots of attorneys will represent you for free if they think you have a good case. Then they typically get paid after your claim is approved. If it's medical them your records will speak for themselves. If it's psychiatric, like mine, you're at the mercy of your shrink. I'm still fighting them myself. Good luck.

A number of respondents have indicated they accomplished the SSDI road without an Attorney. While that fact is commendable, the fact of the matter is the system is made for denial and an Attorney is a must have item. In my case, I believed I had an open and shut case, but spent nearly five years and 3 denials in realizing the system was not in my best interest.

I got an Attorney when I was first denied, at the state level. I then went through an ALJ denial and an appeal that was finally positive because of my Attorney.

I also believe that an Attorney with has specific knowledge in Social Security law is a must. The first Attorney I replaced with an Attorney thatb was competent in Social Security law. The point is it is important to hire an Attorney that has experience with; these kind of cases.

My recommendation is to get you a good SS Attorney not just any attorney…a SSD one, that is important. If to much time has passed since he was turned down you may have to start the ball rolling again. My attorney wouldn’t start with me until the first turn down. The best part of his help is that he will do all the gathering of the information needed. They only take a percent of what the back pay is and there is a ceiling limit on what that can be.

My disabilities are Chronic Pain, Back Problems, Fibromyalgia and PTSD. Most things that you can do no medical testing for. I really had my doubts about winning. I kept asking my lawyer if he felt I had a case…he would say that he wouldn’t be working for me if he didn’t think I would win because he doesn’t get paid until you do win. That is something to take into consideration. It took four years to get my benefits approved. It was well worth the money paid out to have someone who knew how to cross all the t’s and dot the i’s to say…I won in December of 2005 and received back pay from spring 2002 forward. Well worth it.

I you want to pm me or email feel free!! Goodluck!!