How to Find the Best Social Security Lawyer
Gordon & Pont Gordon & Pont • May 27, 2025
If you are filing for Social Security Disability or SSI, getting a lawyer should be the first step. Since you may not have a lot of experience looking for lawyers—particularly lawyers specializing in Social Security— here is a guide to help you find the right one for your case.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• If it’s complicated applying for Social Security benefits, or if a disability claim has been rejected, you can enlist an attorney for help.
• Be sure to identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and know their way around the system.
• Make sure the lawyer you choose has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding.
• Many of these lawyers will take a retroactive fee based on Social Security benefits received from a successful case—limited to 25% of your past-due benefits up to a maximum of $9,200.
Pre-Qualify Yourself
Before even looking for a lawyer, know the basics of Social Security. Most cases that may need the help of a lawyer involve disability claims.
Social Security disability is for people who have a medical condition that fits Social Security’s definition of a disability. And to qualify, you must have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. In other words, if you never paid into Social Security, you’re not going to get anything out.
If you have not worked enough or recently enough to “insured” for social security disability benefits, you may still qualify for SSI if you meet both the medical and non-medical (meaning financial) requirements.
If you do qualify, you can get monthly benefits checks only if you are unable to work for at least one year because of a disability.
What a Lawyer Can and Can’t Do
A lawyer can speed up your application or appeal because can help you avoid mistakes and can submit needed documents faster. However, the SSA is woefully understaffed which means everything is taking longer than it should.
While a lawyer can’t guarantee that you’ll win, your chances of success improve greatly. Because we are paid only once we win, experienced lawyers are skilled in identifying strong cases.
How to Find the Right Lawyer
You can find Social Security disability lawyers in a variety of ways. The internet has plenty of lawyer referral sites. Legal aid clinics and referral services operated by state bar associations are also sources for the names of people to interview.
Be careful. Just because you find an attorney by searching one of these sources doesn’t guarantee they’ll be good, ethical lawyers.
A better way to put together a list of lawyers to interview is probably through word of mouth, in person, or through social media, from people who have had good experiences with a Social Security disability lawyer and by reading reviews from former clients.
Red Flags
Make sure you speak to and hire a real lawyer and not an “advocate” or the like.
Be cautious of “case managers” and insist on speaking with your lawyer.
Although disability lawyers are busy, you want to hire one who has a staff of people who will answer any questions you have accurately and promptly.
How Much Will It Cost?
Cases will cost you nothing upfront. Lawyers take their fees from any retroactive benefits you’re awarded from Social Security. The fee is limited to 25% of your past-due benefits, up to a maximum of $9,200.
The attorney will have you sign a document that allows Social Security to pay the law firm directly. If you get nothing, you owe the lawyer nothing.
Because the lawyer will likely have to request medical, school, work, and psychological records that come with a cost, they might pass on that fee to you. This should be a couple of hundred dollars at most. Setting up a patient portal with our doctor or hospital is an excellent way to avoid that cost.
Since it costs you nothing unless and until you win, consider talking to somebody if you file a claim and get turned down initially.
The Bottom Line
You should get an attorney’s help if you’re having trouble applying for Social Security benefits or if a disability claim has been rejected. Identify lawyers with special knowledge and expertise in Social Security claims and who know their way around the system. Make sure your lawyer has a solid reputation, track record, and ethical grounding.
Struggling with a delayed claim? A Social Security attorney in Detroit, MI can help speed up the process. Contact Gordon & Pont PC today at (248) 395-4100!
Get expert tips from a Social Security benefits attorney in Detroit, MI, to maximize your benefits. Contact Gordon & Pont PC today at (248) 395-4100!
Learn why hiring a disability attorney over a non-attorney advocate can benefit your Social Security Disability claim. Discover key differences in qualifications, legal expertise, ethical protections, and more.
Gordon & Pont is a highly reputable Social Security Disability law firm in Detroit, offering expert legal assistance for claims, appeals, and hearings. With years of experience, they provide personalized, compassionate representation to help clients secure the benefits they deserve. Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call for a consultation!
The timeline for Social Security Disability benefits can vary, but understanding the process—from initial application to appeal—can help you avoid delays. Learn how to speed up your claim and why hiring an experienced lawyer like Gordon & Pont is essential for a faster resolution. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn about the SSA’s Sequential Evaluation Process for SSDI and SSI benefits. Understand the five steps, including work capacity, severity of medical conditions, and past work limitations. Get expert help from Gordon & Pont to navigate the process and improve your chances of success. Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Learn how Social Security work credits are earned and how many are needed to qualify for SSDI benefits. Discover the requirements, including the Date Last Insured (DLI), and get expert help from Gordon & Pont for your SSDI case. Contact us today for guidance! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
Denied SSDI or SSI benefits? Understand the Social Security Appeals process, including reconsideration requests, ALJ hearings, and further appeals. Get expert legal help from Gordon & Pont to improve your chances of success. Contact us today for a consultation! Call 248-395-4100 today and speak to an attorney about your case.
A recent Washington Post article revealed how frequently the SSA loses when Claimants appeal their denials in Federal Court. Remands back to the ALJ are at a record high. "In the last two fiscal years, federal judges considering appeals for denied benefits found fault with almost 6 in every 10 cases and sent them back to administrative law judges at Social Security for new hearings - the highest rate of rejections in years, agency statistics show." Why is this Happening? "Federal judges have complained of legal errors, inaccurate assessments of whether claimants can work, failures to consider medical evidence, and factual mistakes, according to court rulings and Social Security’s own data." The SSA is making more mistakes and wrongfully denying more claims. “The system has become one of ‘how do we deny this claim’ rather than ‘what is the right answer in this person’s case?’” ... “And the Federal Courts agree: ‘You have to do a better job.’” Success Stories: "At his hearing in March, a new Social Security judge considered the rulings by three federal judges who found that the agency failed to properly consider the severity of his headaches, nerve damage, and other impairments by ignoring treatment notes from his doctors. An outside doctor Social Security hired to examine him also described severe “pain and anxiety” from his injuries. He prepared to wait for months for another rejection. Instead, the written decision came just two weeks later: Sheldon had been awarded the monthly benefits — along with $205,000 in back pay. His first check landed in his bank account this month." This is why we do what we do. To read the full Washington Post article: Click here - https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/05/25/social-security-disability-denials-court-remands/