I was Denied at my Disability Hearing, Should I get a Lawyer?   "I was denied at a disability hearing, should I get a lawyer?" The time to get a disability lawyer is prior to a Social Security Disability hearing being held, not after one has been held. What will happen if you try to get disability representation after your hearing? At the very least, you'll find it more difficult to find someone to help you with your case. And it shouldn't be too hard to figure out why. At this point in the process, a claimant will have finished the appeal step where claimants--who have previously been denied at the disability application and reconsideration levels--typically have their best chance of being approved (2/3 of claimants who appear at hearings are approved). What incentive does an attorney or non-attorney representative have to get involved when A) the only thing left to do, appeal-wise, is to request a review of the administrative law judge decision and B) the case, for lack of better words, may already have been "blown" by a claimant's ill-considered decision to go to a hearing without the benefit of representation and proper hearing presentation. Many disability lawyers will tell a claimant who is in this type of situation to do the following: obtain a copy of the notice of decision (from the hearing) and bring it by the office or mail it in. In fact, this, aside from reading the case file (something done by a representative prior to a hearing being held) is the only way to know A) whether the case has sufficient merit for appeal or B) whether the claimant should start over with a new disability claim. Without a doubt, a disability claimant should always seek representation for an upcoming disability hearing and this representation should be obtained no later than the submission of a request for hearing before an administrative law judge. However, in practical terms, a claimant may wish to consider representation following the denial of an initial claim (a.k.a. disability application) for this reason: the step following the initial claim is the request for reconsideration. And on this first appeal, more than eight out of ten claimants are usually denied, making it necessary for most claimants to request a hearing where "going it alone" is never a good idea. About the Author: Tim Moore is a former Social Security Disability Examiner in North Carolina, has been interviewed by the NY Times and the LA Times on the disability system, and is an Accredited Disability Representative (ADR) in North Carolina. For assistance on a disability application or Appeal in NC, click here. Most popular topics on SSDRC.com Social Security Disability in North Carolina Common Mistakes to avoid after being denied for Disability Tips to Prepare for Filing for Social Security Disability or SSI Advice to Win SSD and SSI Benefit Claims Social Security Disability SSI Questions What is the difference between Social Security Disability and SSI? How to get disability for depression Getting disability for fibromyalgia SSI disability for children with ADHD What is the Application Process for Social Security Disability and SSI? Social Security Disability SSI Exam tips More Social Security Disability SSI Questions What makes you eligible for Social Security Disability or SSI? Related pages: Social Security Disability Maximum back pay How to file for disability in Louisiana What does psoriasis affect? Can people with developmental disabilities change? Good fats lower the risk of death from heart disease Do dogs get better health care? Why do I keep getting denied for disability? Disability claim at reconsideration appeal level If approved at a disability hearing, when do you get a letter or check? Proving Functional Limitations and why this is Important on a Disability Case Filing for disability and ankylosing spondylitis Social Security Disability Claims and Medical Exams Factors involved in Winning SSDI or SSI Claims Filing for disability with facet arthritis Can I lose my disability benefits? How to file for disablity in Nevada