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It's not required, but you do have a right to professional representation in your dealings with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This could be an attorney, or a disability advocate who isn't a lawyer but has passed an SSA-administered exam and met other educational and occupational requirements.
Whether or not to seek such help is a personal decision and depends on your individual circumstances. But research has shown that having a professional representative can boost your chances of getting Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the two SSA-run programs that pay benefits to people with disabilities.
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A lawyer or advocate can fill out the SSDI or SSI application on your behalf and help gather medical records and other evidence for your claim. They can review your application for mistakes or omissions that could hurt your chances of success and can join you for meetings or conferences with Social Security officials. The SSA will work directly with your representative and provide access to information from your Social Security file.
Having an attorney or advocate increases the chances of getting an initial benefit claim approved by 23 percentage points, a 2022 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found.
Legal assistance can be even more important if your initial application is denied and you file an appeal. Your representative can prepare you and any witnesses on your side to testify at a hearing before an administrative law judge, the second level in the appeals process, and can question expert witnesses that Social Security presents.
How to find a disability attorney
There are thousands of attorneys and professional advocates across the U.S. with expertise in Social Security disability. Some advocates formerly worked for the SSA, as disability examiners or claims representatives.
Your local Social Security office can provide a list of legal referral services and nonprofit groups, such as bar associations and legal aid organizations, that can either provide or help you find representation.
More on Social Security
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What is Social Security disability back pay?
What's the difference between SSDI and SSI?