Need advice for SSDI appeal after denial - attorney worth the fee?

u absolutely need a lawyer. i tried doing reconsideration myself and got denied AGAIN. finally got a lawyer for the hearing level and won. they only get paid if u win so its worth it, trust me. make sure u get one that ONLY does ss disability cases, not some general lawyer who does everything

I work as a paralegal at a disability law firm, and I can tell you that having representation significantly increases your chances of approval. For reconsideration (the first appeal level), approval rates are only about 13% nationally. At the hearing level, represented claimants have roughly a 60% approval rate versus about 45% for unrepresented. The fee is set by Social Security - 25% of backpay up to $7,500 maximum. This is only paid if you win. Look for attorneys who specialize exclusively in Social Security disability and have experience with your specific conditions. The lawyer should explain how they'll develop medical evidence to counter SSA's findings about your ability to perform sedentary work.

RA and fibro are tough cases because they're largely invisible disabilities. I'm a disability advocate (not a lawyer) and I see denials for these conditions frequently. For your appeal, you absolutely need better medical documentation that specifically addresses your functional limitations. Your doctors need to document exactly HOW LONG you can sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, etc. per day. A good disability attorney will send functional assessment forms to your doctors, get detailed statements, and possibly arrange for additional testing if needed. They'll also prepare you extensively for your hearing (if it gets to that stage), which makes a HUGE difference.

DONT WASTE UR TIME WITH RECON!!! its just another denial!!! go straight to hearing level and get a lawyer NOW!!! the whole system is RIGGED to deny you the first 2 times no matter what!! they KNOW most people give up after 1-2 denials and thats EXACTLY what they want!!!

I had a similar situation with MS. My advice: call several attorneys before choosing one. Ask how many cases like yours they've handled, their success rate, and how they communicate with clients. Some barely talk to you until the hearing! Also, while waiting for the appeal process (which can take 1-2 years), make sure you're seeing your doctors regularly and documenting EVERYTHING. Keep a daily pain/activity journal. Note days you can't get out of bed, side effects from medications, activities you can no longer do. This documentation helps tremendously. I found getting through to SSA impossible during my appeal - just endless busy signals and disconnections. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me through to an actual person. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU - it saved me so much frustration when I needed to check my appeal status.

my cousins neighbor got approved without a lawyer just sayin

SSA DENIED ME 3 TIMES!!!! with the EXACT SAME LETTER EACH TIME!!!! they dont even READ your file!!!! I finally got approved after my hearing but it took 3.5 YEARS!!!! the whole system is designed to make you give up or DIE WAITING!!!!!

One more thing to consider: the lawyer should be willing to withdraw if they don't think they can win your case. Be wary of anyone who promises they can definitely win - honest attorneys will tell you your odds based on your specific situation. Also ask if they'll handle your case personally or if you'll be working primarily with paralegals.

I forgot to mention: once you hire a lawyer, make sure they get ALL your medical records, not just from specialists. My general doctor had notes about my fatigue and cognitive issues that ended up being crucial evidence. Also, if you've been hospitalized for your condition, those records are extremely important.